On Monday 5 October 2026, work began to cut back one of Black River’s most beloved and recognisable trees: the magnificent old banyan standing near the Post Office, at the entrance to La Preneuse Road.

For generations, this tree has been part of everyday life in the village. It has provided welcome shade to residents and passers-by, offered shelter to countless birds and other wildlife, and become a familiar landmark that gives this part of Black River its unique character.

A tree like this is more than just a tree. It is part of our landscape, our memories and our natural heritage. Once a mature banyan of this size is severely damaged or lost, it cannot simply be replaced.

We believe that its protection deserves proper consideration, transparency and the attention of the relevant authorities before further work takes place.

If you value this beautiful landmark and want to see it protected, please sign this petition.

You can also help by sending the letter below to the Ministry of the Environment, the Black River District Council and the Forestry Services. The more voices they hear, the harder it will be for this tree to be overlooked.

Please sign. Please share. And please help us protect a piece of Black River that belongs to all of us. 🌳

LETTER 

From:
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information / Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

To:
The Director
Department of Environment
Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change
Ken Lee Tower, Line Barracks Street, Port Louis
Email: menv@govmu.org

CC:
1. The Chief Executive
   Black River District Council
   Geoffroy Road, Bambous, Mauritius
   Tel: 401-3100 / Hotline: 452-1502
   Email: brdc@la.govmu.org / brdc@mail.la.govmu.org

2. The Conservator of Forests
   Forestry Service (Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security)
   Botanical Gardens Street, Curepipe, Mauritius
   Tel: 670-7254 / 670-7255
   Email: moa-forestry@govmu.org / forestrysecretariat@govmu.org

3. The Director
   Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit (TMRSU)
   Level 1, Air Mauritius Centre, President John Kennedy Street, Port Louis

Date: October 7, 2026

Subject: Urgent Request for EIA Verification, Canopy Assessment, and Public Notice Compliance regarding the La Preneuse Banyan Tree (A3 Coastal Road / La Preneuse Road Intersection)

Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you as a concerned member of the public to formally lodge an urgent complaint regarding the ongoing, aggressive pruning of the historic La Preneuse banyan tree, located directly at the critical intersection of the A3 coastal road and the entrance of La Preneuse Road.

While a private development project is actively underway adjacent to this natural landmark, there is zero public visibility regarding its environmental clearances. Given the tree’s ecological stature and its status within a protected historic corridor, we request an immediate intervention under the Environment Act 2024 to address critical procedural omissions:

1. Absence of Dual-Sided Canopy and Root Assessments

A tree of this scale requires distinct, professional evaluations before any cut is made. We demand verification of whether an independent arborist or forestry officer assessed the pruning requirements for both sides of the tree independently:

• The Construction Side: To ensure the developer is not destabilizing the tree's overarching structure or destroying its complex root system to clear space for building facades or underground services.

• The Public Road Side: To ensure that any trimming over the A3 highway is strictly limited to necessary public safety clearance, rather than serving as a convenient excuse for excessive site clearing.

2. Violation of Public Information and Traffic Disruption Protocols

The ongoing works have resulted in the blocking of a highly frequented public street for hours.

• Under standard planning and road safety guidelines, the public has a legal right to be informed. The developer has failed to erect a localized project board or traffic notice warning residents and motorists of planned delays, alternate routes, or authorized street closures.

• No project notice board displaying a Building and Land Use Permit (BLP) reference number or an active Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license is visible from the public road, in direct violation of basic development transparency mandates.

3. Statutory Jurisdiction Under the Forests and Reserves Act 1983

Because this ancient banyan tree sits squarely within the road reserve of the A3 highway, Section 17 of the Forests and Reserves Act 1983 strictly prohibits any person from cutting, topping, or severely pruning it without explicit, written authorization from a forest officer. We request immediate confirmation that such specific statutory permission exists and that the current heavy hacking does not exceed authorized parameters.

Immediate Remedies Requested:

In accordance with the enhanced community safeguards established under the Environment Act 2024, we urgently request that your Department, in coordination with the Police de l’Environnement, the Forestry Service, and the Black River District Council:

1. Issue an immediate Stop-Order on all trimming and site works affecting the banyan tree until permits are physically verified on-site.

2. Compel the developer to immediately mount a visible notice board clarifying the scope of works and approved traffic management plans.

3. Conduct a joint site inspection with the Forestry Service to evaluate the physical damage already inflicted on the canopy.

We look forward to your swift action to preserve this vital asset of our natural heritage.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]