Mangroves in Grand Port District

GP-Grand Sable--Pointe aux Roches

The coastline near Grand Sable is the site of a landmark community initiative where thousands of mangroves have been planted to safeguard the village from tidal surges.

• Features a resilient community-led nursery that has propagated over 20,000 seedlings.

• Functions as a natural sediment trap, preventing lagoon siltation and protecting local artisanal fishing grounds.

• Provides a vital "green wall" for a village wedged between the mountains and the rising sea.

GP-Petit Sable

Located just south of its neighbor, Petit Sable shares the same high-density restoration profile, contributing to the continuous ecological corridor of the south-east.

• Maintains a significant abundance of young Rhizophora mucronata stands.

• Supports the local economy by providing a nursery for juvenile fish and crabs that sustain the village's livelihoods.

• Serves as an important field site for monitoring the success of long-term coastal adaptation strategies.

GP-Bambous Virieux

Bambous Virieux offers an authentic Mauritian experience where dense mangrove fringes line a serene and unpretentious coastal environment.

• Characterized by deep-rooted stands that thrive in the nutrient-rich waters of the southeastern lagoon.

• Acts as a primary buffer against the strong trade winds prevalent in this part of the island.

• Integrated into the village's coastal identity, offering a peaceful backdrop for traditional fishing activities.

GP-Anse Jonchee

The mangrove forest at Anse Jonchée is a major research site, recognized for its exceptional structural parameters and mature tree canopy.

• Displays a high tree density and significant biomass, making it a critical site for carbon sequestration studies.

• One of the few locations where the structural complexity of the forest has been meticulously documented by researchers.

• Provides a dense, arching root system that offers superior protection for coastal biodiversity.

GP-Bois des Amourettes

Famous for its long jetty and historic Dutch landing sites nearby, Bois des Amourettes features narrow but vital mangrove belts that hug the scenic coastline.

• Features a picturesque waterfront where mangroves provide a natural contrast to the historic stone structures.

• Offers a sheltered environment for migratory birds and local marine invertebrates.

• The nearby public beach area benefits from the shoreline stabilization provided by these persistent fringing patches.

GP-Vieux Grand Port

As the most historic region in Mauritius, the mangroves around Vieux Grand Port have stood for centuries, witnessing the island's earliest colonial history.

• Home to some of the oldest Rhizophora stands, providing a glimpse into the island's original coastal ecology.

• Essential for filtering the run-off from the surrounding Lion Mountain range before it enters the lagoon.

• Closely linked to the Frederick Hendrick Museum area, adding a layer of natural heritage to the historical site.

GP-La Terre Rouge-Ferney

The estuary region of Ferney has seen a remarkable 26% increase in mangrove cover over the last decade, making it a star of coastal recovery.

• Covers over 26 hectares of dense, thriving forest at the mouth of the Riviere Champagne.

• One of the rare sites in Mauritius where a stable and observable population of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza can be identified.

• Boasts an extremely high seedling density, recorded at approximately 33,500 per hectare in recent years.

GP- Riviere des Creoles

The mangroves at the mouth of Rivière Des Creoles play a fundamental role in the estuarine food web, trapping organic matter and nutrients.

• Composed of robust pure stands that thrive in the soft, muddy substrate of the river delta.

• Serves as a critical nursery for the region's crab and shrimp populations.

• Protects the Mahebourg lagoon from excessive sedimentation during heavy rainfall in the interior.

• Recent research has identified the first findings of Heritiera littoralis in Mauritius, a significant discovery for local biodiversity conservation (Matsui, 2025).

GP-Ville Noire

Integrated with the local Mahebourg lifestyle, the mangroves of Ville Noire provide a green sanctuary for the urban edge of the historical village.

• Fringes the river estuary, offering a quiet habitat for sunbirds and geckos.

• Acts as a natural bio-filter for the residential drainage systems before they reach the sea.

• Provides a lush, green atmosphere for visitors walking along the historic bridges of the area.

GP- Mahebourg

The Mahébourg waterfront is a bustling historic area where mangroves remain a vital part of the cultural and ecological landscape.

• Includes scattered patches that have survived decades of coastal urbanization.

• Offers essential shelter for juvenile fish, supporting the artisanal fishing fleet based in the harbor.

• Functions as a living laboratory for community awareness programs on coastal conservation.

GP- Pointe Gerome- Ramsar III

Located near the youth training center, Pointe Jerome is a key part of the internationally recognized Ramsar wetland area.

• Part of a 353-hectare protected site under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

• Pointe d'Esny is recognized as a Ramsar site because it contains rare and representative examples of natural wetland types, including significant mangrove stands and associated mudflats.

• Serves as a vital link between the coral gardens of the lagoon and the terrestrial bird sanctuaries.

• Frequently used as an embarkation point for eco-tours to Ile aux Aigrettes, showcasing the importance of mangrove-reef connectivity.

GP-Shandrani-Blue Bay

The mangroves within the Blue Bay Marine Park are legally protected and represent one of the island's most vibrant marine ecosystems.

• Comprises two specific mangrove species that coexist with over 38 types of coral and 72 fish species.

• Crucial for maintaining the exceptional water clarity that makes Blue Bay a premier snorkeling destination.

• Offers a rare example of a mangrove forest that interacts directly with a well-developed coral garden.

GP-Ilot Brocus- le Bouchon

Le Bouchon is home to the private Ilot Brocus, a secluded sanctuary where the mangrove forest remains in its most wild and serene state.

• Features a unique walking path through the heart of the mangrove, offering fascinating light games and reflections.

• Known for its absolute tranquility, being far removed from the more urbanized parts of the district.

• Protects the fragile rocky shoreline from the powerful ocean swells of the south.

Ferney- Quatre Soeurs

Mahebourg

Blue-Bay - Ville Noire 

 Shandrani - Ilot Brocus