Sesel Sa! January - March 2015 Jan - March 2015 | Page 57

gasses from mass-produced
“souvenirs” imported from industrial
countries.

SHOP SMARTER - Avoid buying

view life. You might be surprised at
the things you learn when you open
your mind to new ideas!

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS

products made from coral or tropical
hardwoods as this contributes to
environmental destruction. Read
labels and ask questions like “What
is this item made from?” All over
the planet people sell items made
from non-sustainable hardwoods,
endangered species, and ancient
artefacts. It may be alright in their
country to sell them, but you can still
vote with your wallet by refusing to
buy them.

- Many people like to feed the
wild birds and stray dogs and cats
that hang around their hotels and
resorts. Other tourists, however,
may complain to the management
about being pestered or about the
droppings they leave behind. In turn,
the hotel or resort manager may
use lethal means of removing these
animals. And when there are no
tourists around, these wild birds and
animals have to fend for themselves.

USE MASS TRANSIT OR WALK

LEND A HELPING HAND - You

STAY ON THE MAIN TRAIL - There

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE You can set a trend for eco-travel
by sharing your holiday experience
with friends, family and others when
you return home. You might even
consider doing a presentation to
other interested eco-travellers at your
local library or with your community
newspaper, radio or TV station or on
your favourite Internet chat group.

- Whenever you can, travel in an
environmentally-friendly manner by
walking, cycling or using vehicles that
carry several people at a time. Public
transport has the added benefit of
being less stressful than driving in an
unfamiliar place and will put you in
closer contact with the scenery and
the locals an SPTC bus ride is one you
will never forget!

are many reserves and nature trails
in Seychelles and an environmentally
responsible tour guide can offer you
a more personalized and communityoriented experience. If you choose
to hike alone, stick to marked trails
to avoid harming native flora, and
consider taking a bag to pick up
trash along the way as this not only
helps keep the outdoors beautiful,
but also protects wildlife that might
eat or get tangled in the garbage left
behind by less conscious hikers. Leave
plants where they are as they provide
critical habitat and food for wildlife.
Do not feed, scare or interfere with
wild animals, which are particularly
vulnerable during breeding/nesting
seasons.

BE A TRAVELER, NOT A
TOURIST - Learn about the people,

culture, food, animals, plants and
geography of the countries you are
visiting. The more you understand, the
more you can appreciate the beauty
of the unique place you are visi ѥ