Am posting from Mauritius (our favourite getaway). You get a visa on arrival, plenty of smiles and awesome beaches - very therapeutic after that last Leicester assignment. During our visit, we also met up with leading academics, NGO's and even the Minister of Environment & Sustainable Development. It was interesting to get their perspectives on the rapid growth and development taking place in Mauritius.
Every place reminds me of my home-town Goa in India with a huge difference. I see the Goa of 20 years ago in Mauritius. Less pollution, not so much traffic, still peaceful. And yet, I can see the not so good future. If Mauritius does not plan well, it will become today's Goa - chock full of traffic, pollution, too much development, erosion of the coastline. We told everybody we met that if they want to see the future of Mauritius, then they should visit Goa.
What is most promising is that there are many members of civil society in Mauritius who are working behind the scenes to ensure that development is done in a sustainable manner. There is always going to be friction between fast paced development/beach front property sale and community displacement.
I've visited Mauritius three times now and each time I return I can see it becoming more like Goa..I hope my prediction does not come true and civil society and the government keep working at preserving its unique beauty, culture, heritage and environment.
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