Overview:

In March 2002, a National Human Dimensions Research Programme was established in Mauritius. Thirty-five researchers from 10 national research, academic and government departments and NGOs came together for a national workshop of the Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change in Mauritius. The workshop was held to identify priority areas and future research related to HDGEC issues. The meeting was held at the Unversity of Mauritius (UoM) from 25-27 March 2002 and sponsored by a grant from the IHDP (part of the IHDP Seed Grant Initiative) and the Mauritius Research Council (MRC).

The start-up workshop aimed at establishing a framework for a national human dimensions research programme, encouraging capacity-building for young researchers, setting up a National Committee with representatives from key stakeholders, and establishing and strengthening cooperation between the participiants, especially between natural and social scientists. Representatives from the UoM and the MRC highlighted the importance of research on HDGEC for a small island such as Mauritius. The Minister of Economic Development confirmed the support of the government for the new endeavour and expressed interest in policy-oriented research in the field of HDGEC.

Contact Person:

Prof. Dr. Toolseeram Ramjeawon (Chair HDP-Mauritius) Department of Civil Engineering University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1041 Fax: +230 465 7144 E-mail: ramjawon@uom.ac.mu Web: http://www.uom.ac.mu Areas of expertise: environmental engineering and science Links to: UNEP International Life Circle Initiative

Members of HDP-Mauritius:

Mr. Baratt Aucharaj Economist, Financial Services & Corporate Affairs Ministry of Economic Development, Financial Services & Corporate Affairs (MEDFSCA) 9th Floor Sir Emmanuel Anquetil Building Cnr SSR & Jules Koenig Streets Port Luis, Mauritius Phone: +230 201 2533, +230 201 1585 Fax: +230 212 4124 E-mail: medrc@intnet.mu Areas of expertise: economics

Mr. Krishan Bheenick Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Production & Systems University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1041, ext. 1237 E-mail: kjb@uom.ac.mu Areas of expertise: agricultural systems

Mr. Ravi Bholah Lecturer, Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1031, +230 454 1036, +230 466 1940 Fax: +230 454 3281 E-mail: miestaff@intnet.mu Web: http://www.mieonline.org Areas of expertise: environmental health

Mr. Dhaneswar Deepchand Principal Engineer, Water Resources Unit Ministry of Public Utilities Royal Commercial Centre Third Floor Impasse St. Ignace Rose Hill, Mauritius Phone:+230 465 9540, +230 465 7988, +230 465 9439 Fax:+230 465 7177 E-mail: wru@bow.intnet.mu Areas of expertise: water resources management

Prof. Dr. Indurlall Fagoonee Pro-Vice Chancellor for Curriculum Development, Distance Education, Quality Assurance and International Relations Dean of Science Faculty University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone . +230 454 1041 Fax: +230 465 6928 Email: goofa@uom.ac.mu Areas of expertise: biology and marine sciences Member of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (2002-2007)

Dr. Nitin Gopaul Research Coordinator, Mauritius Research Council (MRC) La Maison De Carne, Royal Road Rose Hill, Mauritius Phone: +230 465 1235 Fax: +230 465 1239 E-mail: mrc@intnet.mu Areas of expertise: biomedical sciences

Mr. C. P. Khedun Scene-Ries Consult Ltd. 3 Poupinel de Valence St. Rose Hill, Mauritius Phone: +230 465 4046 Fax: +230 466 9691 E-mail: seenven@intnet.mu

Dr. Kwet Fong Ng Kee Kwong Head, Agricultural Chemistry Department Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1061 Fax: +230 454 1971 E-mail: agrchemi@msiri.intnet.mu; m.s.i.r.i.@msiri.intnet.mu Areas of expertise: agricultural chemistry

Prof. Dr. Romeela Mohee Department of Chemical & Sugar Engineering University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1041, ext. 1540 E-mail: rmh@uom.ac.mu Areas of expertise: biodiversity

Prof. Shyam. Nath Department of Social Studies and Humanities University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone.: +230 454 1041 Areas of expertise: environmental economics, small isalnd city governance

Dr. B. Pathack Deputy Director, Meteorological Services St. Paul Road Vacoas, Mauritius Phone: +230 686 1031, +230 686 1032 Fax: +230 686 1033 E-mail: meteo@intnet.mu Areas of expertise: meteorology

Dr. Asha D. Poonyth Project Officer, Mauritius Oceanography Institute France Centre, Victoria Ave. Quatre Bornes, Mauritius Phone: +230 427 4434 Fax: +230 427 4433 E-mail: moi@intnet.mu Areas of expertise: marin chemistry

Mr. M. Puttoo Research and Development Officer National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) Ministry of Agriculture Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 464 2993 Fax: +230 465 1184 E-mail: npcsagr@intnet.mu Links to: CBD Focal Point, Millenium Ecosystem Assessment Review

Dr. Roshan Teewary Ramessur Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1041, ext. 1464 Fax: +230 465 6928 E-mail: ramessur@uom.ac.mu Areas of expertise: marine science

Prof. Dr. Toolseeram Ramjeawon (Chair HDP-Mauritius) Department of Civil Engineering University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1041 Fax: +230 465 7144 E-mail: ramjawon@uom.ac.mu Web: http://www.uom.ac.mu Areas of expertise: environmental engineering and science Links to: UNEP International Life Circle Initiative

Dr. Sanjeev K. Sobhee Senior Lecturer Department of Economics and Statistics University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius Phone: +230 454 1041 Areas of expertise: environmental economics

Ms. Djaheezah Subratty Environment Officer, Department of Environment Ministry of Environment Ken Lee Tower Cnr. Barracks & St. Georges Streets Port Louis, Mauritius Phone: +230 211 3658, +230 212 3363 Fax: +230 211 9524;, 230 212 8324 E-mail: admenv@intnet.mu Areas of expertise: environmental science

Key HD Research Topics in Mauritius:

Publications:

Proceedings: National Workshop of the Mauritian National Human Dimensions Programme (Ramjeawon, 2002, as part of the IHDP Seed Grant Initiative)