Reclamation works at L'Islette Island soon
MAJOR reclamation works will be undertaken at l'Islette soon, for a big tourism project, according to documents submitted to the Planning Authority.
L'Islette, accessible by a 3 minute boat journey from Port Glaud, will then lose its charm as it might no longer be an island.
The proposed reclamation is bound to impact negatively on the surrounding beachscape, as it will interfere with tidal movements. Coastal erosion, will be just one of the negative impacts.
L'Islette, only a few acres in area and separated from Port Glaud by a narrow channel, is owned by Mary Geers, who also own the Sunset Beach Hotel at Glacis and the Village du Pecheur at Cote d'Or, Praslin.
The channel is characterized by strong currents, especially at high tide, making it unsafe to attempt swimming across. In days bygone, when the hotel was run by Gerry Saurer and later Max Maurel, visitors could summon the boat by ringing a bell tied to a coconut tree for the crossing.
That was all part of l'Islette's charm. It boasts two small beautiful and safe beaches; one on each side of the islan
d. The bungalows were located on the elevated part, with good views of Mahe and the neighbouring islands of Therese and Conception, a few km away.
But it appears that the Geers want to build something big and need more land to do so.
They already have that ambition for Sunset, where it was proposed to divert the main road, to further up the mountain to make way for a bigger hotel.
At Cote D'Or, Village du Pecheur, right on the beach has also grown bigger by building upwards and expanding right up to the border of the property. Masons had to stand on the adjoining property to polish the external walls. The property is owned by the Gardette family, powerful on Praslin. Mr. Michel Gardette heads the Praslin Development Fund (PDF) which has an important say in considering building applications on Praslin. It is believed that they have complained to President Michel about the issue, but this has never been resolved, an indication that the Geers have the support of forces more powerful than the head of state. And it seems that Michel cannot or will not put a stop to the desecration of l'Islette…. James Michel legacy will be one that will be remembered for the many violations of the environment permitted under his watch...
Source: Lenouveauseychellesweekly 8-9-10