A lot of concessions have been necessary but the Intergrated Resort Scheme (IRS) project has finally been accepted at the Morne. Promoter Société Morne Brabant (SMB) is convinced that their hotel project will contribute to the government?s desire to see the site included on the Unesco list.

After harsh discussions between those wishing to preserve the natural site as it is and the hotel promoters, they seem to have reached a consensus. The state had actually been looking for an expert opinion to try and find a solution. Unesco specialist Dr George Abunju has been in Mauritius twice where he met representatives of the Morne Heritage Trust Fund as well as hotel promoters.

It was only after his visits that he made recommendations to the state, pointing out how the land development could be done without damaging the heritage site. With this in mind, the expert requested a certain number of changes into the SMB initial project including a decrease in the number of villas and rooms that were initially planned. ?We accept to work according to the instructions and recommendations of Unesco and the ministry of Arts and Culture.?

On private land

In fact, the SMB director, Bertrand Giraud, goes even further; he is sure that his IRS project will help the Morne site to get on to the world heritage list. ?Our project has been accepted by Unesco, and according to its experts, this gives more chance for the classification to be accepted (...) It may reach a successful conclusion thanks to the re-afforestation of the whole Morne peninsula surrounded by private land which will be done at our own expense. ?

The director says the project will be done ?on private land only facing the caves and in a totally rehabilitated environment?. The project includes the construction of 65 villas and 35 hotel rooms.

Despite all the concessions made and the precautions taken, some people still disagree with the project. The leader of the Verts Fraternels, Sylvio Michel, severely criticised the government as well as the Unesco expert for giving the green light to the IRS project. ?We will go to the Privy Council. The Morne is the symbol and the refuge of the slaves,? he warned at his press conference.

But his anger might have been tempered by the decision of the Minister of Arts and Culture ?to designate ?Le Morne? as National Heritage with a view to paying homage to slaves and to facilitate the designation of the site as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.? This may constitute a first step towards the World Heritage?