ER Agri restores forests in Moka through EcoHaven

According to the report of the Forestry Services Mauritius published in 2018, the island’s total forest cover is estimated at 47,048 hectares, representing about 25% of the country’s land area. Through EcoHaven, a restoration initiative led by ER Agri in partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, ER Group is actively contributing to the preservation and regeneration of forests in Mauritius, particularly in the Moka region. Launched in 2024 and part of the Varuna programme led by Expertise France and financed by the Agence française de développement (AFD), EcoHaven supports ER Group’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity under its Sustainability Framework.

About the EcoHaven project
 

In 2024, ER Agri, the group’s Agribusiness arm, was awarded support from the Indian Ocean Business Biodiversity Fund under the Varuna programme, which addresses biodiversity loss in the south-west Indian Ocean. The selection criteria focused on economic viability, replicability across the region, and long-term impact.
 

ER Agri received €224,300 in funding to launch EcoHaven, a two-year forest restoration project in collaboration with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, an NGO dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the nation's endangered plant and animal species. The aim is to help restore ecological balance in Moka by conserving endemic species, engaging the local community, and creating job opportunities.

EcoHaven’s six strategic actions
 

The EcoHaven project is structured around six key actions:

• Restoration planning: A structured restoration roadmap guides the propagation and long-term protection of native species.
• Endemic species inventory: Field teams survey two forested areas on ER land, namely La Motte à Thérèse and Bar Le Duc, to map plant diversity and identify threats to endemic flora. As of January 2026, they have identified more than 120 native (indigenous) plant species, among which 25 are endemic to Mauritius, and 33 are endemic to the Mascarenes.
• Specialised nursery: A dedicated nursery in Alma has been created to propagate the species. As of January 2026, more than 62 000 native (indigenous) plant species have been propagated, and over 5000 plants have already been transplanted into the restoration sites.
• Conservation measures for invasive species: Actions include fencing, zoning, and control of invasive threats.
• Community employment: EcoHaven supports skills development alongside restoration. Nine local workers have been recruited and trained in plant collection and nursery operations.
• Education and research: ER Agri has delivered biodiversity awareness sessions for schoolchildren, ER Group employees and leadership, local communities, and participants at public events such as National Science Week (March 2025). As of January 2026, more than 1,600 people have taken part. The project also supports academic research by facilitating access to forest sites, where researchers can document local species and identify best practices for their protection and propagation.  

Alignment with ER Group’s Sustainability Framework
 

As a major economic actor in Mauritius, ER Group recognises its role in safeguarding the island’s natural heritage and biodiversity. EcoHaven supports this direction by restoring forest habitats, strengthening endemic species conservation, and creating local jobs through community involvement. It aligns with ER Group’s commitment to placing biodiversity at the heart of its business strategy for lasting environmental impact.