Cousin Island: The perfect marriage between tourism and conservation
Cousin Island is a perfect example of a successful marriage
between conservation and tourism. Nature
Seychelles, which manages the special reserve, is promoting the island’s
eco-tourism as a vehicle to finance conservation.
Cousin Island’s slogan is “the island that belongs to birds,
humans are welcome” is one of the nature reserves in Seychelles that can bring
in more visitors, but because it is a reserve, the numbers are controlled
through a strict measure of closing down the island in the afternoon and
weekends.
“It is only through a high quality of tourism that Cousin
Island can maintain its tourism reputation as one of one the prime eco-tourism
destinations in the western Indian Ocean region” said Dr Nirmal Shah, the Chief Executive Officer of Nature
Seychelles, who manage the island.
In their natural habitat, the “million dollar birds”, the
Seychelles Magpie Robin co-exists with the Seychelles warblers, the Seychelles
Blue Pigeon and countless endemic species.
Although Cousin Island is constantly receiving a high inflow
of yacht charters mooring to it shores, Nature Seychelles claims that the
impact from tourism is low to zero level. Dr Nirmal Shah highlighted that “no
boats are allowed to land on Curieuse Island, they are all moored outside coral
reefs and it is the Nature Seychelles rangers who are mandated to transfer
visitors from their respective charters or yachts to and from the island."
The impact is further controlled on the island trails and
its bio diversity through guided tours by Cousin Island designated rangers,
restricting visitors from roaming alone on the island.
The management and staff are all conscious of their
responsibilities and they deliver for Seychelles a sanctuary for our flora and
fauna and they remain an example to the world in how they are managing a nature
reserve that remains the perfect marriage between tourism and conservation,"
says the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange.
You can watch a video on Cousin Island here.
The Mason's Travel "Cousin-Curieuse-St.Pierre" excursion offers you an opportunity to visit this conservation success story in person, and discover Cousin Island for your self!
Contact your Masons Travel Representative to plan your next holiday to the Seychelles.
www.masonstravel.com | info@masonstravel.com
