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I’m back in Seychelles to delve a little deeper into conservation & sustainability. This time, I’ve had the privilege of staying at Constance Ephelia and Constance Lemuria, two exceptional properties with a strong commitment to lowering their carbon footprint. I’ll be going into greater detail about my experiences at both hotels, in articles to come. For now though, let me unpack a little about what Seychelles has been doing to up their green game, long before it became ‘fashionable’ to do so.
Firstly- location. Seychelles is a tiny republic in the Western Indian Ocean, an archipelago of 115 mountainous granitic and flatter coralline islands, flush with tropical vegetation, lush forests, crystal clear aquamarine waters, glistening white beaches, and incredible plant, marine and bird life, much of which is endemic.
BELOW:Constance Lemuria’s ‘turtle manager’ Robert Matombé whose mission in life is to protect the nesting & egg laying Hawksbill & Green Turtles that visit Anse Kerlan regularly.
Recognising the importance of preserving its unique natural heritage, Seychelles has implemented a comprehensive conservation strategy that emphasises sustainability. One of the cornerstones of the country’s conservation efforts is the establishment of protected areas. Nearly half of the country’s landmass is designated as nature reserves or national parks, safeguarding critical habitats for endangered species. The Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one such area, home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises.