Constance Hotels in bid to preserve biodiversity

Constance Hotels & Resorts, one of the leading hotel groups in the Indian Ocean region, has identified many endemic species in its surroundings and adapted its landscaping plans and nurseries to protect the biodiversity in their destinations. It is committed to the continuous development of the region’s sustainable tourism, giving back to the local community and protecting its ecosystem while taking into consideration the global standards to reuse, recycle and conserve natural resources.

Wherever Constance hotels & Resorts operates, it is fully committed to balancing economic priorities and social responsibilities, preserving their surroundings’ natural and cultural heritage.

With the help of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Constance’s field professionals, the group has identified many endemic species in their surroundings and adapted its landscaping plans and nurseries to protect the biodiversity in their destinations.

Mangrove Preservation
Mangroves’ evergreen nature and unique ability to survive in the most challenging habitat make them ecosystem engineers, providing shelter and nutrient supply to many marine and terrestrial species, reducing harmful greenhouse gases with their ability to sequester carbon.

With its unique location, Constance Ephelia Seychelles works to improve genetic diversity around the resort and has been able to plant and monitor more than 4,000 trees at Port Launay, Seychelles, with the support of local governmental and international organisations.  Guests and community members are regularly invited to tour the mangrove nursery to appreciate and learn about the Mangroves’ contribution to the global ecosystem and climate change.

Turtle Conservation
At Constance Lemuria Seychelles, Grande Anse Kerlan remains the number one beach on Praslin Island with a proper Turtle Conservation Programme led by Robert Matombe, who received guidance from the renowned scientist Dr Jeanne Mortimer. The eco-kiosk remains open during the day, and guests can feel free to visit and learn about flora and fauna of Seychelles as the hotel works towards raising awareness of the importance of protecting the coastal vegetation to maximise the number of turtles nesting on their beaches.

October and February mark the start of endangered hawksbill and green turtles’ return season. The untouched beaches around Constance Lemuria are ideal for female turtles to lay their eggs. Each female turtle can lay up to a thousand eggs a season, returning to the beach to lay as many as five times and laying up to 200 eggs at a time.

The Turtle Manager at Constance Lemuria conducts daily beach patrols watching for turtles’ tracks and nests in the sand and relocating the eggs when the location is unsafe. This program started in 2015 under Dr Mortimer’s guidance, famously known as “Madame Torti” in Seychelles. Guests can join in on these morning patrols and make a fantastic contribution to preserving the glorious environment. Under the supervision of the Turtle Manager, guests at Constance Lemuria can have the unique experience of watching the females come up on the beach to lay and later see the baby turtles move down to the sea.

World Bee Day  
Constance Prince Maurice celebrated their own beehives for the first time on World Bee Day in 2019; conscious of the significant need to protect the island’s biodiversity, the team at Constance Prince Maurice dedicated a part of their land to beekeeping, allowing bees to thrive in this exceptional place and produce equally exceptional nectar. The number of hives has increased rapidly, forming an integral part of the Chef’s Garden. Guests of the hotel can enjoy this pure taste of nature during breakfast or immerse themselves in its healing power through honey massage treatment at Constance spa.

Coral Reefs Recovery
Coral reefs can produce half of the oxygen we breathe and create the biggest structure made by living organisms that can be seen from space. Their complex three-dimensional structure harbours the most significant number of marine species per unit area compared to other marine ecosystems. It is like a small busy city where different animals and plants find shelter, food, or a partner to mate with. Coral reefs also support fishing and tourism industries, protect the shoreline, and help fight climate change, among other vital functions.

Constance Moofushi Maldives has taken many steps to nourish coral reefs around the resort’s private island and work on a coral conservation project with the help of their resident marine biologist, who monitors the recovery of the coral reefs in three sites around the island and helps to restore the endangered coral reef ecosystems.

With the supervision and guidance of the marine biologist, guests visiting Constance Moofushi can donate and help in attaching small coral pieces to bars of frames with cable ties before placing them in the water to restore and grow more natural coral reefs around the island. Lagoon cleaning is also a regular activity at Constance Moofushi to remove the debris brought by ocean currents and help the marine ecosystem regenerate itself.