PRASLIN, Seychelles — Researchers at the Vallée de Mai Reserve on Praslin Island are planning to investigate the influence of tourism on this UNESCO World Heritage site in the coming years.
According to Seychelles News Agency, the Scientific and Project Coordinator at the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), the announcement was made during a presentation at a symposium that celebrated the 40th anniversary of Vallée de Mai’s recognition by UNESCO. The aim is to assess the human impact on the site which sees the highest visitation in the Seychelles.
“The Vallée de Mai is the most visited natural site in Seychelles and to date, the effect of human traffic across the entire site hasn’t been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this research is one of the main areas we intend to focus on in the next few years,” stated Ms. Constance.
Home to a well-preserved palm forest, the reserve’s iconic species is the endemic coco de mer along with five other endemic palm species. The site met all four natural criteria for a UNESCO World Heritage listing in 1983: outstanding natural beauty, significant geological and evolutionary importance, ongoing ecological and biological processes, and conservation of biodiversity.
Managed by the SIF, a public body responsible for the protection and management of the island nation’s UNESCO World Heritage properties, which include Vallée de Mai and Aldabra Atoll, the organization also oversees Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve on Praslin.
In 2022, Vallée de Mai welcomed over 110,000 visitors, which underlines the necessity, as per SIF, to comprehend and mitigate the long-term impacts of tourism.
“We all know Vallée de Mai as a place many people visit, but few are aware of the extent of scientific work that is carried out their daily. Today, we want to share our research and findings with others so that they understand that this is a place where science is also at the forefront,” commented SIF’s CEO, Dr. Frauke Fleischer-Dogley.
In a speech marking the symposium’s opening, Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is also a patron of the SIF, emphasized the responsibility of every Seychellois to protect this ‘treasure’.
“I urge all Seychellois who have never visited Vallée de Mai to do so, as it is the only way to truly appreciate the treasure we have in Praslin,” he urged.
The nature reserve is one of only two locations in Seychelles where the iconic coco de mer grows naturally, known as “a flagship species of global importance.”
Praslin is also the sole habitat for Seychelles’ national bird, the black parrot, which uses Vallée de Mai primarily for breeding.
SIF, Seychelles’ oldest conservation organization, has pioneered a management approach by pairing Vallée de Mai with Aldabra Atoll.
The Foundation is committed to ensuring that both sites are well-managed protected areas where conservation, research, education, and tourism are sustainably balanced.
Research is prioritized to guide, support, and enhance the factual database for managing biodiversity conservation and the unique ecosystems of these two distinct sites.
“We are very proud to celebrate this anniversary, as it shows the efforts Seychelles has made to preserve the site as it was over 1,000 years ago, despite the changes around it,” added Ms. Fleischer-Dogley.