To this effect, a national action plan is being prepared to counter the menace, Faugoo said.
''There is sufficient evidence proving that they have contributed to the extinct ion of many of the island's endemic species,'' he said.
According to him, ever since their introduction theses species have caused consi derable damage to the island's terrestrial bio-diversity and its marine biodiversity.
He said that there might be as as many as 40 species of vertebrates, 22 inverteb rates and around 2000 species of plants which have been introduced in Mauritius.
Some of these plants are not only threats to the island's native biodiversity bu t are also major threats to its sugar cane plantation, one of the major pillars of its economy and major source of foreign income.
Faugoo said it had recently been observed that there had been acceleration in th eir spread due to the phenomenon of globalisation.
He recalled the outbreak of the epidemic of 'chikungunya' in Mauritius some year s back and the recent outbreak of swine fever, which he said is another example of the threats caused by invasive alien species.
The Minister recalled also the numerous measures to control and prevent the entr y of invasive alien species in the island, through the setting up of a 24-hour quarantine service at the two ports of entry and a Pest and Surv eillance Unit, and others.
Several other projects have also been initiated in the biodiversity sector to mi nimize and control the effects of invasive alien species on the island's native fauna and flora.
Port-Louis - 27/02/2009
Pana
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