A patronage agreement linking Leroy Merlin, the Ravate group and the ONF enabled the replanting of species from the Hauts de l’Ouest forest that disappeared following the fires of 2010 and 2011.
Managing 40% of the total area of the island, or 101,000 hectares, The ONF has been engaged for several years in a sponsorship approach with businesses. As part of an exemplary sponsorship action with the Ravate group and the Leroy Merlin Réunion brand, a planting operation in the Hauts-sous-le-Vent national forest took place at the beginning of March. No less than two thousand Tamarins des Hauts and Bois de Couleurs plants were planted on a plot of one and a half hectares located at an altitude of 1,400 m.. The Hauts de l’Ouest forest suffered two large, devastating fires in 2010 and 2011. Following these fires and in certain areas, the forest has disappeared, giving way to secondary vegetation, formed by invasive exotic species. The objective of the plantation is to restore, on this plot of one and a half hectares, the biodiversity of the western forest of Reunion, by reintroducing the flagship species : the Tamarind of the heights (Acacia heterophylla) and associated species. This forest restoration will also increase flower production., promoting bee activity. It was made possible thanks to funding of 90.000 euros brought by the Leroy Merlin brand.
“We keep this commitment”
Noor Ravate, general manager of Leroy Merlin Réunion : " Nowadays, it remains essential to protect our environment and especially our highly endangered forests. We are committed to this commitment to preserving the biodiversity and forests of Reunion Island., and hope that the species that will be planted, will reforest and restore its splendor to Maïdo which has been ravaged several times by intense fires. » Sylvain Leonard, regional director of the ONF Réunion : “For 30 years, the ONF is engaged in a partnership approach with businesses, serving the public forest. M. Ravate perfectly illustrates the commitment of actors to the service of the environment and Reunion Island as a whole.. Thank you to him for his unfailing support and this great initiative. »
The ONF-Act for the forest fund
It is within the framework of sponsorship from the ONF-Agir pour la forêt Fund that the operation took place which will make it possible to reconstitute the forest area of Tamarins des Hauts de l’Ouest with the help of Leroy Merlin and the Ravate Group.. The Fund finances projects proposed by the territorial directorates of the ONF and supported by them or by their local partners. : communities or associations. 85% of donations collected by the Fund are allocated to carrying out projects. Its team supports companies in their sponsorship choices, in order to find the project that best meets their expectations in terms of objectives, of themes, location, of influence and budget.
