Policies and Plans

The Forests and Reserves Act (Act 41 of 1983) establishes a Nature Reserves Board, the mandate of which is to advise the Minister on the identification of Nature Reserves and on all matters relating to Nature Reserves.

The Wildlife and National Parks Act of 1993 establishes the Mauritius National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) as the management authority for National Parks, with clear powers to establish, manage and regulate activities within National Parks. Such activities include the ability to take action when offences are committed within a National Park.

The Town and Country Planning Act of 1954 provides for the development of Outline Planning Schemes in Mauritius, which are the main planning tools that guide development of the different areas in the country.

The Planning and Development Act (PDA) 2004 details a planning system in Mauritius along with development regulations. The PDA aims to promote and co-ordinate the economic use and development of land in an orderly manner. It provides a proper framework for the management, development and conservation of natural and man-made resources to promote a better environment for sustainable development.

The Local Government Act (LGA) of 2011 clarifies how the Village and District Councils are constituted and elected, and provides information on their functions and powers. The LGA thus provides the legislative framework for a democratic, efficient, effective, inclusive and accountable system of local government. The LGA also makes provision for the submission and processing of applications for development projects and the granting of a Building and Land Use Permit (BLUP) for approved projects by the local authority.

The Environment Protection Act (EPA) of 2002
The policy is the umbrella framework for environmental protection in Mauritius. It provides for the protection and management of the environmental assets of Mauritius so that their capacity to sustain the society and development remain unimpaired and foster harmony between quality of life, environmental protection and sustainable development for the present and future generations. For more information, please contact the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Disaster and Beach Management.

Outline Planning Schemes (OPS) 2011
These policies have been prepared in accordance with the provision of the Town and Planning Act 1954. Section II of the Act places an obligation on the Town and Planning Board.

The functions of the OPS are:

• To provide guidance to scheme promoters, developers and individuals contemplating a development project and the subsequent submission of a building and land use permit.
• To assist government affairs at Ministry and Local Authority levels when offering advice to developers and then subsequently assessing permit applications.
• To provide physical development focus for programmes and projects from the variety of Ministries and Agencies, as well as the private and non-governmental sectors which have an interest in land development.

The Documents can be purchased at the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ebene.

Planning Policy Guidelines (Nov 2004)
This is a policy document prepared and issued to Local Authorities under Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2004. All Local Authorities to whom guidance is issued, should comply with it. It focuses on various aspects of development design.

The Documents can be purchased at the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ebene. National Development Strategy (NDS) The NDS is a policy document that guides development to 2012. It identifies areas of growth and restraint in providing a flexible framework involving public-private and community partnerships within which a variety of uses can be implemented.

The Documents can be purchased at the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ebene.

Planning Policy Guidelines (Nov 2004)

This is a policy document prepared and issued to local authorities under sect 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2004. All local authorities to whom guidance is issued, should comply with it. It focuses on various aspects of development design.

The Documents can be purchased at the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ebene.

National Development Strategy (NDS)

The NDS is a policy document that guides development to 2012. It identifies areas of growth and restraint in providing a flexible framework involving public-private and community partnerships within which a variety of uses can be implemented.
The Documents can be purchased at the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ebene.

The Native Terrestrial Biodiversity an National Parks Act 2015establishes the Mauritius National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) as the management authority for National Parks, with clear powers to establish, manage and regulate activities within National Parks. Such activities include the ability to take action when offences are committed within a National Park.