Campaign highlights waste management

The "Novembre Vert" campaign, launched by Hamidou Djabou Saindou, director of environment and sanitation at the Communauté d’agglomération du Grand Nord de Mayotte (CAGNM), focuses on waste management and mosquito breeding site elimination to combat vector-borne diseases. The event took place on 2 November and is part of a broader effort to prepare for the rainy season, which increases the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Workshops educate on health risks

At the event, school groups participated in workshops that highlighted the health risks of litter. A laboratory technician from the Agence régionale de santé (ARS) displayed containers with local mosquito eggs and larvae, explaining how discarded items like plastic containers and tires can collect rainwater and become breeding sites for mosquitoes that spread diseases like malaria and dengue.

Ecological balance is emphasized

The association Les Naturalistes de Mayotte showcased interactive models to demonstrate the fragile ecological balance of Mayotte. A mission officer used a wave channel to show how coastal vegetation protects against erosion and how waste discarded upstream can accumulate in mangrove roots. The group regularly collects plastic in local areas to identify waste sources and prioritize clean-up efforts.

Erosion and land use discussed

Yasser, an animator from Les Naturalistes, used a basin model to explain how deforestation and the burning of land for agriculture destabilizes soil. In Mayotte, the cultivation of bananas and cassava, which have weak root systems, worsens erosion. The association is encouraging farmers to adopt polyculture practices instead of uncontrolled land clearing and burning.

Environmental programs address social needs

The association Nayma, which focuses on environmental insertion programs, participated in the event. Created in 2021, the organization has helped nearly 1,500 people find training or sustainable jobs. Its work includes reforestation, trail maintenance, and waste collection. Since the impact of cyclone Chido, demand for these services has increased significantly, especially for clearing debris and fallen trees.

Operational phase of the campaign

Following the launch, the "Novembre Vert" campaign will involve 16 local associations in cleaning projects across the communes of the Grand Nord. These efforts will target riverbanks, the coastline, and illegal dumps. The CAGNM plans to improve cleaned sites with plantings and no-dumping signs to prevent recontamination, while also raising awareness about household waste sorting to reduce pollution before the end-of-year storms.