LUXURY INDIAN OCEAN EXPÉRIENCES
Rachel plante une forêt comestible
Tout commence il y a dix ans à Riche-en- Eau . Rachel Ng est « aspirée par un appel de la terre ». Elle transforme en verger un champ de canne hérité de son père . Patiemment , elle reboise une petite parcelle en diversifiant les espèces . Aujourd ’ hui voisinent cocotiers , litchiers , manguiers , oliviers et agrumes . L ’ histoire aurait pu s ’ arrêter là sans la double crise de la Covid-19 et du Wakashio . « C ’ est difficile pour tous , élague Rachel . « Se reconnecter à la terre est devenu une nécessité ».
Aujourd ’ hui , son ambition est de « créer une forêt comestible » largement ouverte aux habitants de la région . Un projet synonyme « d ’ échanges d ’ expériences » et de « permaculture en circuit court », de la fourche à la fourchette . Une graine vient de germer . C ’ était lors d ’ une journée « forêt ouverte » en novembre , où chacun était invité à découvrir le site et à mettre en terre les premiers plants .
« Développer une agriculture régénératrice , soucieuse de la terre et des humains ; c ’ est l ’ idée », résume Rachel . Une idée qui bourgeonne déjà . « Quand un arbre tombe on l ’ entend ; quand la forêt pousse , pas un bruit », dit un proverbe africain ...
Rachel plants an edible forest
It all started ten years ago in Riche-en- Eau . Rachel Ng is “ drawn in by a call from the earth ”. She transforms a sugarcane field into an orchard . Patiently , she makes sure to diversify the species . Today , coconut , lychee , mango , olive and citrus trees have fully grown . The story could have ended there if the double crisis of Covid and Wakashio had not happened . “ It is difficult for everyone ,” Rachel muses . “ Reconnecting with Mother Nature has become essential ”. Her ambition today is to “ create an edible forest ” open to locals . A project which evokes the “ exchange and sharing of experiences ” and “ short circuit permaculture ”, from farm to fork .
Good news , a first seed has just germinated . It was during an “ open forest ” day in November , where everyone was invited to discover the site of five acres and plant the first seeds . “ Developing regenerative agriculture , while being mindful of the land and people ; that ' s the idea ,” says Rachel . An already budding idea . “ When a tree falls we hear it ; when the forest grows , not a noise ”, says an African proverb ...
Natasha opts for collective efforts
“ The entire world has witnessed the polluted lagoon , but the social tragedy is just as devastating ”, analyses Natasha Magraja , 44 . Owner of the craft shop I Love Mahebourg , she “ worked only for a month ” this year . Far too little .
Giving up ? Never . To keep her village alive , Natasha gives a new lease of life to Mahebourg Otantik , a small informal collective she created in 2018 . “ After the shipwreck , the collective felt the need to grow . We decided to develop into a structured association , with a more consistent project , to be able to help with resources and solutions ”, she explains .
" Reconnecting with Mother Nature has become essential "
This new project can be summed up in a few words : getting back on track . This by focusing on training , culture and sustainable development . Today , Mahebourg Otantik is driven by forty people or so , “ all united by the love of their village .” Natasha is convinced : “ This love can move mountains .”
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