CSR HERITAGE RESORTS

“RESPECT OUR COAST” CAMPAIGN

Mauritius enjoys a rich marine ecosystem with a wide variety of corals, fish, algae, mangroves and other animal and vegetal species. However, due to increasing human activities and environmental constraints, our coastal ecosystems are now seriously endangered. As Rogers’ activities intervenes in various economic sectors, be it by land or sea, the group of which Heritage Resorts belongs is donating Rs 50 millions (approx. 700 000 Euros) to the preservation of Mauritius coastline. Aware of the wider national framework, Rogers works relentlessly with governmental authorities and individuals for a sustainable development of the island. Rogers’ Corporate Social Responsibility strategy comprises of three main orientations over the next 5 years:

• Awareness: Make citizens aware of their responsibility towards the degradation of our coastal areas.

• Education: Educate on the best practice to make a difference

• Support: Support, over the next 5 years, at the national level and within the communities, actions which will favour the protection of our coastline.

From this need, emerged the Respect Our Coast campaign in partnership with Reef Conservation, a local NGO aims at drawing attention to the fragility of Mauritius’ coastline and ways to contribute to its preservation. This NGO focuses on the protection of the island’s marine environment through research, restoration, education and training.

In order to measure the impact of the Awareness, Education and Actions projects on Mauritian citizens, Rogers will conduct a baseline survey on the current level of "Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors and Perceptions” of the general public on the subject.

MOBILE MARINE EDUCATION UNIT - "BIS LAMER"

An innovative educational bus project (Mobile Marine Education Unit), putting marine science and environmental issues within the reach of the general public and students. This unique class is equipped with fun presentations, interactive tools, as well as laboratory equipment. The project is part of a long-term partnership with the Reef Conservation NGO.

LAGOON DIRECTORY
 

The lagoon directory can be found in your hotel room and is worth the read. The booklet will give you all the tips about how to use the lagoon responsibly and help us keep this very healthy lagoon healthy! You will be able to discover the different fish, shells, corals and algae which live just beneath you when going for a swim, paddle tour or dive.

THE PLANKTON PROJECT

Heritage Resorts is one of the hotels in the region to recycle its plastic and glass bottles through the Plankton project. Effective since December 2011, this project responds to both ecological and economic problems. Its purpose is to provide an environmental and sustainable solution to the issue of waste management. Moreover, it creates jobs for locals, reduces carbon emissions from garbage trucks and provides an ecological finished product, which previously had to be imported. The Recycling Unit currently processes around 1.5 tonnes of glass bottles and 250 kg of plastic bottles per month.

ECO-FRIENDLY GOLF COURSE

Created in 2004 at the foothills of Bel Ombre, the Heritage Golf Club was built on a hilly site, crisscrossed by streams, rivers, the golf course gains tremendously from its natural topography enabling the irrigation to come only from the collection of rainwater and runoff. This golf course is managed in an environmentally responsible way: usage of 100% organic fertiliser, minimal toxicity pesticide used and weed control is done with coarse untreated salt.

MANAGING ENERGY CONSUMPTION

For years, Heritage Resorts has put in place several actions for energy saving: usage of Led lighting, magnetic cards automating the turning on and off room lights, sliding doors equipped with detectors to cut off the air condition, 80% of water used on the premises is purified and recycled and usage and composting is common practice and used in our gardens.

EMPOWER LOCALS

Heritage Resorts is set in a poor region of the island which is underdeveloped with small fishermen villages who depend on the sea to earn a living, this is charming but it also brings its load of poverty. With the help of local NGOs such as Caritas, Heritage Resorts is involved in education campaigns for children and community empowerment programmes for women, enabling some of these women to find employment in the hotels of the region.

NATURE PROTECTION WITH THE MAURITIAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

Heritage Resorts is set in the preserved South of Mauritius, a coast which has been barely affected by any development. Being set in such rugged nature is considered a real privilege at Heritage Resorts and respecting the surrounding nature on land and in the lagoon is a priority. This is why the 1,300 hectares of endemic flora and fauna of the Frédérica Nature Reserve is protected in association with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. One of the objectives of the Frédérica Nature Reserve is to preserve and promote Mauritius’ unique biodiversity. Together with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the nature reserve’s team has spearheaded numerous conservation projects to protect its fragile ecosystem. Visitors are invited to commune with nature as they break through the luxuriant vegetation and come across rare endemic beauties such as the Roussette bat and the Jumella Recurva orchid which was rediscovered after having been listed as extinct. Several ways of discovering the Nature Reserve are offered with a trained guide: trekking, 4x4 and quad bikes.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Created in 1765, Domaine de Bel Ombre carries you to the grace and romance of the plantation era. Bernardin de Saint Pierre, famous french writer was the first to refer to the place and write its name as it is commonly used today. During his 1769 journey by foot around the Isle de France, he mentioned the name “Bel Ombre” – a place where he said 200 to 300 runaway slaves used to live.

We owe the splendour of Bel Ombre to Charles Telfair, who from 1816 to 1833 substantially developed the region with his social, botanical and engineering innovations. 1910 saw the creation of Bel Ombre Sugar Estate which gave a new dimension to the region. Specialised in the cultivation of sugar cane, the Estate created employment, provided skills and expertise and significantly industrialised the region.This industrial shift saw the dawn of hospitality, whilst the safeguard of nature remained a constant priority.

More than two centuries after its creation, Domaine de Bel Ombre has preserved this priceless historical heritage into an exclusive art of living. Le Château de Bel Ombre is emblematic of this history set majestically in French Gardens punctuated with ancient trees, this 19th century property has been tastefully restored to its former glory. Old-fashion charm emanates from its antique furniture, beautiful panelling, high ceilings, majestic steps and veranda. The bungalow was built in the 19th century, under the instruction of Sir Hajee Jackaria Hajee Ahmed, a wealthy Indian who never lived in the Chateau, though he sent representatives (supervisors) to see how the property was managed. These supervisors seem to have had a penchant for the good life and for their harems and they had a large colonial house built for their wives, which is known today as the Château de Bel Ombre. . Designed in an Anglo-Indian Colonial style of this era, it was labelled a ‘chateau’ due to its imposing size and structure.

There is some mystery surrounding the name Bel Ombre...

There are two possible explanations to these two spellings. Bel Ombre: Ombre in French also is a masculine noun which refers to a freshwater fish (“grayling”) in northern Europe, but this fish does not appear in any botanical or historical records about Mauritius. “Belle Ombre”, however, could refer to the expansive and generous shade provided by the huge banyan tree next to the estate house, which has now reached an exceptional size. Yet, how tall was it at that time? Let a hint of mystery remain...