The event at Banyan Tree was organized to celebrate the World Wetlands Day and celebrate the opening of the newly constructed boardwalk across the marshland at Banyan Tree, Intendance. The scheme is to restore and maintain a level of cleanliness in the environment of the marshland at Banyan Tree Resort in a collaborative effort between the Department of Environment and the Takamaka community. The activities organized to mark Wetlands Day were stretched over two days and were held under the theme ‘Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People’.
Many sponsors of the event, ministers and students and staff from schools were invited to the opening.
‘After waiting for the bus for at least an hour we finally got on and headed off to the luxurious 5 star Hotel- banyan Tree, Seychelles. It was a big event where students from many schools were invited to celebrate the day so we stopped off along the way to pick up staff and students from other schools.
Forty minutes later we had arrived and were being welcomed by the very friendly staff; handing us glasses of refreshing iced tea (yummy!!!) and a white T shirt (very nice indeed) with details about the event and the sponsors of the event. The T shirt has a beautiful design on the front.
Once everyone had arrived there was a welcome speech by the manager and then speeches by representatives from the various ministries.
The overall message being the importance of sustainable management and the conservation of marshlands and its inhabitants. The habitat is home for many varieties of plants and animals.
Each school was given a questionnaire to fill in based on the of the wetlands day event. After the boardwalk was officially opened we all walked around in small groups with a guide who gave us additional information and pointed out the information points along the way.
It was very interesting and we learnt that the boardwalk was made of recycled plastic! We read and listened, discussed and filled in the answers as we walked along.
Despite the rainy weather, the year 13 Biology group saw some never seen before animals and different species of tortoise and terrapins for example.
After the walk we had a few minutes to mingle with everyone while the questionnaires were being assessed. Winners received prizes and then thank yous were said before we were indulged with fish and chips, mango filled pancakes and the cutest little brownies…yummmm!!
Seychelles is exceptional in its beauty and diversity of habitats and species. We are very lucky to have these at our door step and it’s encouraging to see that so much is being done to preserve it and more importantly made accessible to everyone…especially students!
Thank you Banyan Tree for hosting the event!”
Zarine, Angeleah, Elizabeth and Scott.
