La Reserve Restoration Project: protecting biodiversity and watershed resilience in the Seychelles

Madagascar and the Indian ocean islands are a biodiversity hotspot – a group of islands with incredible species diversity and extremely high rates of endemism. To protect and preserve these species that exists nowhere else in the world and are threatened by climate change, IUCN NL and its partners in Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and the Seychelles are guiding ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and conservation projects.

In a series of articles, we highlight some of these powerful projects.

Header photo : La Réserve Nature Trail © The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources of the Seychelles

Since April 2025, the NGO Green Generation Seychelles has been implementing the La Réserve Restoration Project on Mahé Island at Burn Mountain, a key biodiversity area. The project is working to restore and protect this important site through habitat restoration, invasive species removal, replanting of native and endemic vegetation, soil stabilization, and community engagement activities.

The reserve encompasses the source of the Du Cap River and is home to a variety of habitats. A 900-metre nature trail winds through the forest, passing landscapes such as a mahogany plantation and areas of secondary vegetation that have regenerated after past human activities caused habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. The river is located near the trail and can be crossed via a bridge.

Essential plant communities

The project’s main objective is to restore the terrestrial ecosystem along the La Réserve trail, thereby enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality and strengthening the watershed’s resilience. The riparian vegetation of the Du Cap River provides vital ecosystem services, including stabilising the soil, purifying the water, and providing a habitat for wildlife.

 Without intervention, continued degradation of the watershed could lead to declining water quality, increased soil erosion and further biodiversity loss, thereby exacerbating vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and water scarcity.

Beyond ecological restoration, the project also aims to engage communities and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Early progress

This is an ongoing two-year project, and significant progress has already been made. Since the start of the project in April 2025 to date, the nature trail has been cleared and restored, and restoration activities have begun in an adjacent area of approximately one hectare. Throughout the rest of the year, the project plans to carry out maintenance and restoration work, including planting more native trees, with the help of local communities, volunteers, young people, and partners involved in the conservation process.

“At Green Generation Seychelles, our mission is to encourage people to love and care for nature through environmental education and community action. Through our projects and activities, we aim to inspire both children and adults to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and actively participate in protecting the environment.”

New life for an old trail

As part of the International Day for Biological Diversity celebrations on 29 May, the project opened the La Réserve Nature Trail and unveiled an information board. The event marked the reopening of the 900-metre nature trail, which was rehabilitated with the support of the CEPF. The information board was supported by the UNDP/GEF Ridge to Reef Project, in collaboration with the Government of Seychelles.

During her speech, Aurélie Monthy, the project lead, highlighted the importance of environmental education and community involvement in fostering sustainable lifestyles and long-term conservation. By involving local communities and leveraging partnerships, the project will ensure long-term ecological benefits and sustainable livelihoods for the region.