An Outstanding Conservation Initiative in Seychelles: The Vallée de Mai
A pristine remnant of ancient palm forests, the Vallée de Mai serves as the lush green core of Praslin Island, housing the largest remaining forest of the endemic coco de mer palm in Seychelles.
Spanning just 19.5 hectares, it ranks among the smallest UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally; however, its millions of years of isolation have nurtured the evolution of remarkable species unique to this location. Often dubbed the true ‘Garden of Eden’—a phrase coined by General Charles Gordon in 1881—this enchanting forest has consistently fascinated explorers and nature enthusiasts.
Acknowledged for its ecological and cultural importance, the Vallée de Mai was designated as a Nature Reserve in 1966 and subsequently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Since 1989, the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) has been tasked with its conservation, safeguarding this timeless natural treasure for future generations.
