These trees consume a lot of CO2 during the process of photosynthesis and give away oxygen. These would be forests would act as reservoirs producing oxygen and traps for CO2. Foreigners coming to Mauritius are very surprised to find that they can barely buy fresh fish on the market - a result of the unwise exploitation of our marine resources. Before fishermen could be able to catch 50 to 70kg of fish per boat, but the intense use of dynamite has so badly damaged our reefs and marine resources that they would be lucky today if they catch 5 to 7kg daily. One of the measures preconised has been the banning of coral mining, which has been going on for the last 200 years.
Coral reefs play an essential role in buffering the erosive forces of waves.
The principal source of lime for the construction industry, the mining of corals became a very lucrative business in the 80s when a construction boom started on the island. Much concern has been voiced by environmental journalists watching the pace at which the tourism industry has expanded in Mauritius. Tourism is now one the main sources of foreign income to this country. It occupies the 3rd place after the Export Processing Zone and the sugar industry. As I have already noted, Mauritius is expected to welcome more than 750,000 tourists by year 2002.