Illegal Dumping: Over 1,700 Fines in One Year

Title: Illegal Dumping: Over 1,700 Fines in One Year

Content: In response to the increase in illegal dumping, the environmental police are taking a firmer stance. With strict penalties and calls for civic responsibility, Mauritian authorities have now adopted a "zero tolerance" policy.

The statistics are alarming. Between November 2024 and January 21, 2026, the Mauritian police recorded 138 cases of illegal waste dumping and issued 1,614 fines against individuals who discarded their garbage from their vehicle windows or on the streets. In the last five years, the situation has worsened further: 234 fixed penalties of Rs 25,000 were issued for illegal dumping, along with 6,134 for littering.

"Some people in the community treat nature as a 'dumping area,'" laments Inspector Vishwanaden Amasay, head of the Environmental Police. His assessment is clear: Mauritius is facing a structural problem of indiscipline. Daily, his unit observes individuals disposing of their waste in prohibited areas—abandoned lots, riverbanks, public spaces. "While there may be shortcomings, there is a need to adopt proper practices to protect the environment."

Examples of these incivilities abound. The inspector specifically points out those who organize gatherings without considering waste management, later discarding their trash in harmful locations. On weekends, beaches become dumping grounds, littered with debris left by picnickers. "It would have been so easy for each group to bring a trash bag to take their waste home and dispose of it responsibly," he regrets.

Health Risks

In light of these practices, Inspector Amasay wants to put an end to easy justifications. "We must realize that nature is not a 'dumping zone,'" he insists. The absence or lack of bins, or overflowing bins, should not serve as an excuse to dispose of waste anywhere and anyhow. The consequences of such littering extend far beyond simple visual nuisance: scattered by stray dogs and wind, this waste causes numerous inconveniences.

"Mauritius is a tourist destination; we must be mindful of the country's image," the inspector reminds.

However, it is especially concerning from a health perspective. Waste left out in the open can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying chikungunya or dengue, while rats can lead to leptospirosis outbreaks. "We shouldn't dirty others' spaces in an effort to keep our own homes clean," emphasizes Inspector Amasay. For him, this reflects a lack of respect for others, "because even an abandoned lot belongs to someone, and public spaces are accessible to all."

The head of the Environmental Police acknowledges that some well-intentioned individuals dispose of their waste according to the law. But it is evident that, despite numerous awareness campaigns, people hear the recommendations without putting them into practice. "No one can claim they don't know they shouldn't throw their trash outside a bin and that it's an offense to ignore this," he points out.

Zero Tolerance Policy

That’s why, beyond awareness, the inspector believes it’s necessary to conduct long-term educational campaigns. "We need to instill good practices in children from a young age and help them understand that nature is not a dump and that available bins should be used for waste disposal," he calls to the public. For him, education begins at home.

However, due to the relative failure of this preventive approach, the Environmental Police have decided to change gears. Seven teams now cover the island and enforce a zero tolerance policy. "We will not give chances to those who use vehicles or other means to dispose of their waste in nature. We will be relentless and act firmly," warns Inspector Amasay.

The punitive apparatus is in place: a fine of Rs 25,000 is stipulated by law for fixed penalties, along with fines ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. Numerous tickets have already been issued, and the Environmental Police intend to continue their actions. "We will be present on the ground to ensure that the public respects nature," affirms the official.

Aware that his unit cannot monitor the entire territory alone, Inspector Amasay relies on a general mobilization. Officers from other units have been sensitized to environmental protection and can now intervene and issue tickets when witnessing illegal acts. Through community policing, the public is also called to remain vigilant. For the head of the Environmental Police, everyone should act as a defender of nature and protect it, while being an ambassador who takes action against those who violate societal rights and rules.

A WhatsApp Number to Report Illegal Dumps Anonymously

Following Environment Minister Rajesh Bhagwan's call for citizens to report polluters, Inspector Vishwanaden Amasay invites the public to assist the unit through the WhatsApp number 52505151. Citizens can discreetly report illegal dumping by sending snapshots. The police will then investigate to track down offenders and apply the necessary legal sanctions.

This is a practice that works, assures Inspector Amasay. He explains that analyzing the waste can also trace back to the author: utility bills, purchase receipts, school notebooks, among others. The inspector advises whistleblowers to act cautiously to avoid putting their lives in danger.