Île aux Cerfs Eco-Park: Ecological Restoration Work Begins
Riveo's subsidiary LDI has launched the first phase of a long-term ecological regeneration plan for the iconic Mauritian island, starting with invasive species removal.
Work has begun on transforming Île aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius's most visited island destinations, into an ecological showpiece. Riveo, through its subsidiary Loisirs des Îles Ltd (LDI), has launched the first phase of what is described as a long-term regeneration programme for the island, anchored by the creation of a future Eco-Park.
Île aux Cerfs is a small island located off the east coast of Mauritius, near the town of Trou d'Eau Douce. It has long been one of the country's top leisure attractions, drawing both local visitors and tourists to its beaches, water sports facilities and restaurants. LDI is the company that manages the island's tourism and leisure operations.
The opening phase of the programme focuses on ecological restoration. Teams are carrying out cleaning operations across the site and beginning the gradual removal of filaos, a type of casuarina tree widely found across coastal Mauritius. Although filaos have historically been planted to stabilise shorelines, they are considered invasive in sensitive ecosystems because they outcompete native plant species and alter soil conditions.
The removal of filaos is being carried out in stages and in compliance with permits granted by the relevant Mauritian authorities. They will progressively be replaced with endemic plants, meaning species that are native to Mauritius and its surrounding islands, as well as vegetation specifically selected for its ability to combat coastal erosion.
The broader management plan sets out several long-term ambitions. These include restoring biodiversity through endemic planting, establishing ecological buffer zones to protect sensitive areas, and taking targeted action against other invasive species found on the island. The plan also extends to marine ecosystems, with coral restoration identified as a future objective.
Officials behind the project have emphasised that ecological restoration is not a quick process. Rebuilding a functioning ecosystem requires phased interventions, ongoing monitoring and the time needed for natural regeneration to take hold. The Eco-Park itself is therefore a long-horizon project rather than a short-term development.
What this means: For visitors, the changes on Île aux Cerfs may be noticeable in certain areas as vegetation is cleared and new planting begins. In the longer term, the initiative aims to make the island a model for sustainable tourism in Mauritius, combining leisure use with genuine environmental restoration. For Mauritius more broadly, the project is a signal that major tourism operators are under increasing pressure, and in some cases choosing, to align their assets with conservation goals.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Île aux Cerfs Eco-Park project in Mauritius?−
The Eco-Park is a long-term ecological regeneration project on Île aux Cerfs, a popular island off the east coast of Mauritius near Trou d'Eau Douce. It is being developed by Loisirs des Îles Ltd (LDI), a subsidiary of Riveo, and involves removing invasive plant species such as filaos and replacing them with endemic Mauritian plants, creating ecological buffer zones, and eventually restoring marine ecosystems including coral.
Why are filaos being removed from Île aux Cerfs?−
Filaos, also known as casuarina trees, are considered invasive in sensitive coastal and island ecosystems in Mauritius. While they were historically planted to help stabilise shorelines, they tend to outcompete native plant species and alter soil conditions. On Île aux Cerfs, they are being gradually removed under permits from Mauritian authorities and replaced with endemic plants and erosion-resistant species as part of the island's ecological restoration plan.
Is Île aux Cerfs still open to tourists during the restoration work?−
The original source does not confirm whether Île aux Cerfs remains fully open to visitors during the works. The restoration is described as a phased, long-term process, suggesting operations will continue in stages rather than through a full closure. Visitors planning a trip should check directly with Loisirs des Îles Ltd or local tour operators for the latest access information.
From Our Network
Living & Travel in Mauritius
Explore the Island →
📧 Breaking alerts straight to your inbox