Surroundings in Seychelles

The quality of everyday surroundings in Seychelles is shaped by infrastructure, environmental conditions and local management. The Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) provides water, electricity and sewerage services. The Local Waste Management Authority (LWMA) manages communal waste services and public landscaping. The Public Health Authority handles sanitation and nuisance controls. The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) manages national parks, gardens, trails and marine parks. The Ministry responsible for climate, environment, energy and related matters, usually referred to as MACCE, works with the Environment Department, the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, the Department of Risk and Disaster Management, the Police, the Fire Brigade and district bodies on environmental protection, warnings and emergencies. PUC connects properties to water, electricity or sewerage through its branches on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. A connection application normally requires a location plan, identification and, where applicable, planning approval. A domestic water connection has a SCR 100 deposit and a commercial connection has a SCR 500 deposit; a sewer connection has no deposit. Water needs are currently covered for about 95% of the population through treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs and six desalination plants with a combined capacity of about 28,550 cubic metres per day. Dry periods can still lead to timed restrictions, so storage and responsible consumption matter. Where no sewer network is available, properties commonly use septic tanks and soak pits. Development rules require a soak-away or drain field to remain at least 6 metres from other systems, 4.5 metres from a boundary or building and 15 metres from an unlined drain, water body or high-water mark. Household waste is collected daily from green 240-litre communal bins in the main service areas. Bulky and green waste is generally collected weekly. Nine municipal waste contractors support coverage on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. The deposit return system accepts PET bottles and, since 2020, also aluminium cans and alcoholic glass. Hazardous waste requires permission from the Environment Department and carries a processing fee of SCR 200. Littering and dumping outside approved facilities are prohibited. Waste capacity remains under pressure: Seychelles produces roughly 90,000 tonnes of municipal waste per year, while about 1% is recycled, and landfill capacity and fire risk remain concerns. Noise rules are based on the Environment Protection Act and the Environment Protection (Noise Emission Standards) Regulations 1999. Permitted levels depend on the area and time, and excessive emissions may require authorization. The regulations do not cover aircraft, vehicular traffic or animals. Complaints can involve the Environment Department, Environment Police, Police or Public Health Authority. The Public Health Authority may issue a nuisance notice, set an abatement deadline or order work or use to stop. Air pollution controls can apply to declared air-pollution control areas and authorized emissions. Current reviewed official evidence does not establish a nationwide control area or regulatory monitoring network, although an 11-site partnership provides an air-quality index. A reported median air-quality index of 5.3 at the Botanical Gardens between 31 October and 31 December 2023 indicates generally good conditions at that monitoring site, but localized pollution and PM2.5 exposure still require attention. Managed green and recreational spaces include public landscaping, beach and river cleaning, official trails, gardens and marine parks. SPGA sites include Morne Seychellois National Park, Praslin National Park and the Veuve Reserve. Citizens and residents generally enter trails and parks without a fee, while non-residents over 12 may need tickets at payable sites. Reported non-resident prices range from SCR 100 to SCR 250 for trails, SCR 200 to SCR 300 for marine parks and SCR 250 for the Botanical Garden. Overnight mooring can cost SCR 250 per vessel per night. Park rules prohibit littering and unauthorized fishing or collecting and require boats to use designated moorings. Safety arrangements cover floods, landslides, storm surges, tsunamis, drought, fires and pollution. The Department of Risk and Disaster Management coordinates preparedness and response under the National Integrated Emergency Management Plan. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority issues warnings, including through CAP Alerts. Emergency calls use 999 for police, fire or ambulance, 151 for ambulance and 160 for disaster management. Planning decisions may classify high-risk areas as no-development zones. A development proposal in a hazard-prone area may require a risk assessment and drainage strategy, and a complete planning application can take up to 90 working days for a decision, with a possible extension. People can influence spatial change through development consultations, land-use planning and environmental impact assessment. District development inspections are free, and written comments on a development application are generally accepted within 14 days. Draft land-use plans allow comments or objections within 30 calendar days. Consultation can use site notices, neighbour letters, meetings, workshops, surveys, web forums and written submissions. Environmental impact assessments include public consultation. Coastal change is a major national concern because roughly 85% of the population lives near the coast. Current measures include coastal protection, watershed and coastal rehabilitation, desalination and storage, hazard-informed planning, monitoring and early warning. A 2025 coastal-project allocation of SCR 12.5 million covered four districts, and a 2026 coastal-monitoring project was valued at SCR 1,801,360. The appropriate contact and service process therefore depends on the issue, island, authority and urgency rather than on one general surroundings procedure.