Environmental Protection and Conservation Organisation (EPCO)

• Awareness campaigns with the public – Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change
• Educational campaigns with primary and secondary schools
• Event management and organisation – World Environment Day, World Wetlands Day, World Biodiversity Day
• Workshops on a wide range of environmental problems (climate change, marine ecosystem, environment awareness)
• Poverty alleviation projects/Community-based projects
• Scientific and technical projects
• Data collection – Beach monitoring, snail trail of destruction, vulnerability indexes
• Corporate Social Responsibility Projects
• Consultancy on environmental management
• Internship/Volunteering Programmes
• Handmade/recycled crafts (Made in Heaven)

Environmental Protection and Conservation Organisation (EPCO) was founded in 1987, even before the creation of the Ministry of Environment in Mauritius. It was registered with the Registrar of Associations on November 24, 1988, under the provisions of the Registrar of Association Act, 1978, Government of Mauritius, Indian Ocean.

Objectives:

• To protect and conserve the environment.
• To educate the people of Mauritius about sound environmental management.
• To control the proliferation of Invasive Alien Species in our ecosystems.
• To prepare and educate grassroot communities to adapt and overcome climate change related disasters.
• To restore ecosystem services which was previously not well managed.

Projects in Reverse Chronological Order

• 2018:
  • Adaptation to Climate Change – Improvement of the domestic water supply system by providing potable water storage tanks to poor coastal community villages in Mauritius, funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI).
• 2017:
  • The "Promotion of Green Jobs in Mauritius" project made wise use of Chinese Guava Wood for social innovation and job creation for the underprivileged, funded by HSBC and ENL.
  • The project "Integrating Adaptation to Climate Change into Poverty Reduction Efforts" focused on Moka Villages, Mauritius, funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI).
• 2016:
  • The "Barachois Project" was a community-based aquaculture initiative aimed at enhancing the ecological integrity of the Grand Port lagoon by promoting sustainable management and use of coastal and marine resources with the support of traditional fishers, supported by the GEF-Satoyama Project.
• 2015:
  • The "Bicycle Rally Campaign - Ride for the Planet" was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ministry of Environment, with around 100 participants decorating their bicycles with recycled materials and messages on adapting to climate change. This event was inspired by Global Power Shift movement, where one of the members of EPCO got the opportunity to participate in the Global Power Shift Conference organised by 350.org held in Istanbul, Turkey in June 2013.
• 2014:
  • The "Cocoponic" project utilized coconut fibres towards greenhouse farming to produce fruits and vegetables in Agalega.
• 2013:
  • The "Coco Nu La Vie" project used coconut by-products to manufacture tourist handicraft items. The goal was to develop skills in handling and perfecting innovative, non-consumptive items derived from coconuts.
• 2012:
  • The "Lekol Fam Pecheur" project established a training centre for fishermen’s wives living below the poverty line, training them to produce handicraft items from naturally discarded waste products, supported by the 9th European Union Fund through the Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP).
  • The "Vivo Energy" initiative distributed free household gas tubes to replace old ones, targeting around 3000 households in selected rural areas, as part of an initiative by Shell Mauritius.
• 2009:
  • The "Protection of Environment" day was organised in collaboration with the Grand Baie & Poudre D’Or Organising Committee.
• 2008:
  • The "Made in Heaven Project" was launched with the support of the 9th European Union Fund through the Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP).
  • The exposition "What is Climate Change?" was held in collaboration with Rivière du Rempart College, supported by UNDP/GEF/SGP.
• 2007:
  • The project "Halting the Snail Trail of Destruction" was supported by the 9th European Union Fund through the Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP).
  • The exposition "Biodiversity and Climate Change" was organised in collaboration with Bamboo College, supported by the GEF/Small Grants Programme.
  • A study on beach erosion at Flic en Flac and the impact of Cyclone Gamede on Pereybere Public Beach was conducted.
• 2006:
  • The project "Production of Artificial Burrows" used discarded concrete electric poles, supported by UNDP/GEF/SGP.
  • A sensitization campaign was held at Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary on the occasion of World Wetland Day.
  • The vulnerability of coastal villages to extreme weather conditions was investigated, supported by the Small Grants Programme and Global Environment Fund (GEF).
• 2005:
  • Beach monitoring at Butte a l’Herbe and Mont Choisy Public Beaches was conducted in collaboration with St Jean Scouts and St Jean Parish Club.
• 2004:
  • A campaign against the use of aluminium cans was conducted.
• 2003:
  • A campaign against the use of plastic bags was run in collaboration with MEDCO Trinity College.
• 2002:
  • A carnival with the theme "Anou pren compte nu l’environment" was organised to raise awareness about environmental responsibility.
• 1994:
  • An awareness campaign and sandcastle competition to promote the importance of maintaining Mauritian beaches was held at Pointe aux Sables in collaboration with the Municipality of Port Louis.
  • An environmental awareness exposition was organised in collaboration with the Municipality of Vacoas/Phoenix.
• 1992:
  • Environment Week was celebrated in collaboration with Trinity College.
• 1991:
  • Environment Week was organised at Montagne Longue.
• 1990:
  • Awareness campaigns at Mont Choisy and Flic en Flac public beaches promoted the use of public bins and cleanliness, with signboards installed stating "Our beaches are our pride, keep them clean."
• 1989:
  • A workshop at Montagne Longue focused on "Man and His Immediate Environment."
• 1988:
  • Mont Choisy Public Beach was cleaned in collaboration with MEDCO Trinity.

As a non-profit organisation, EPCO relies on diverse funding sources to sustain its initiatives. Our financial support is composed of:

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funds: 5%
• International Donations: 70%
• Individual Donations and Shop Sales: 25%