Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development

- EIA Report

3.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS

Existing environmental set-up of the study area (area of influence around the project
site) in general, and within the project site in particular, has been studied as described
in subsequent sections.

3.1 TOPOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY

3.1.1 Topography

It is evident from the topographical map of Mauritius (Figure-3.1) that the Grand Baie
site is located within a height varying between 18m and 23m AMSL. The general slope
of the site is towards the South and South-East direction.

3.1.2 Geology

The island of Mauritius is entirely volcanic in origin, except for deposits of coral sands
along the coast and deposits from alluvial erosion of the hard rocks. The hard rocks
are volcanic deposits composed essentially of basaltic lava flows with some inclusions
of pyroclastics.

Mauritius Island has been formed by a succession of volcanic episodes that began in
the middle of the Miocene. The island emerged about 10 million years ago following a
volcanic phase, mainly explosive and then intersected with periods of quiescence
during which erosion modeled the relief. Except for some consolidated coral and shell
debris in isolated remnant raised beaches, and the coral reefs and beach and sand
dunes around most of the coast, Mauritius is entirely volcanic: an Older Volcanic Series
and a Younger Volcanic series between which there was a long period of erosion
(Table-3.1 & Figure-3.2). The Younger Series was subdivided into the Early and Late
Lavas.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 34

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 35

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

Figure 3.2: Geological and Soil Map of Mauritius

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 36

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

Table-3.1 Geological Formations of Mauritius

Older Volcanic Series Old Lavas
Younger Volcanic Early Lavas
Series
Intermediate Lavas
Late Lavas Earlier Flows
Main Flows Grand Baie Site
Recent Flows
Non-volcanic Raised reefs,
Formations beaches and old
dunes

The Intermediate and Late Lavas cover the 70% of the island but in comparison with
the earlier volcanism their volume is relative small. They comprise a whole series of
flows from about 1 to 8 m thick, of generally highly vesicular olivine basalt, often with
coarse grained doleritic textures and usually light grayish in colour. Scoriaceous zones
are common at the top and base of flows and these appear to be more abundant in the
Late Lavas.

Basalts: It is an irregular piling of basaltic flows whose cumulated thickness can

exceed one hundred metres. Healthy flows alternate with flows transformed by
weathering, which is a sign that emissions of lavas, far from being continuous, have
occurred intermittently. When the flow is important and when the slope is sufficient,
lava tunnels exist generally at the exit of ancient topographic breaches for example
visible at the surface where the roof has collapsed. At outcrops, these are massive
basalts, vesicular and micro fissured that we find as slabs well cleaned by agents of
erosion. The base of these flows indicates signs of progression. They are scoriaceous
and their thickness can vary from one metre to ten metres.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 37

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

3.2 SOIL

Weathering processes have altered the layers of basalt and pyroclastics. The pattern
of weathering has been varying on account of the vesicular and fractured nature of the
basalt. The pyroclastics weather faster than basalt. The resulting soils are also varied
in nature.

As per the soil map of Mauritius (Figure-3.2) the soils of the project site are as under
(Table-3.2):
Table-3.2 Soil Types of the Project Site
Project Site Soil Group Families Special Phase
Grand Baie Lowland Latosolic Reddish Prairie Soils Mont Choisy Rocky
Source: Soil Map of Mauritius (Provisional Classification) (Scale 1:100,000) published by Directorate of
Overseas Surveys 1957

Lowland Latosolic Reddish Prairie Soils:

Although these series have been developed on Late Lavas, moderate weathering has
occurred on account of a mean annual rainfall of 1,000mm to 2500mm. The Mont
Choisy family is characterized by the shallow soils on slightly weathered Late Lavas
with abundant rock outcrops transitional to Lithosols. The A horizon is dark colored,
high in organic matter and grades into a lighter reddish to reddish brown coloured B
horizon. These soils are somewhat acidic with pH ranging between 6.0 to 6.9. The
range of acidity has been observed to be about the same in the lower horizons. The
texture varies from silty clay to silty clay loam and the soils have been determined to
be mostly clays.

3.3 LAND USE

Major part of the island of Mauritius is devoted to sugarcane. Next in rank for covering
the land surface are the forests consisting of some plantations and the rest nature
reserves.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 38

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

RES Site

Figure 3.3: FAO/MSIRI map

As per the Land Resources and Agricultural Maps (1:50000) of Mauritius, 1973
published by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and
Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI), the land features of the project
site (refer to Figure 3.3) are summarized in Table-3.3:

Table-3.3 Land Features of the Project Site

Project Site Item Description

Grand Baie Land complex Late Lava Coastal Plains and Inland Slopes

Land unit 1.4

Landforms Almost flat to gently undulating; hummocks with
aereas or rough rocky terrain
Soil type Latosolic Reddish Prairie (LRP) soils; shallow to
very shallow, gravelly, reddish brown silty clay
loams; frequent bedrock exposures and rock piles
Agricultural S2 - sugar cane, mixed cropping
suitability S3 - food crops
% of total land 8.3% of total land mass in Mauritius

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 39

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

Source: Land Resources and Agricultural Maps (1:50000) of Mauritius, 1973 published
by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Mauritius Sugar
Industry Research Institute (MSIRI).

S1: Highly Suitable

S2: Moderately Suitable
S3: Marginally Suitable
S4: Suitable

Grand Baie (Land Unit 1.4): The FAO and the MSIRI identify the site area as forming
part of the Younger Volcanic series. FAO and MSIRI map classifies the different
regions into Land Units. The site comprises Land Unit 1.4.The site consists of almost
flat to gently undulating land. Hummocks are of low relief and low frequency form
resulting from the moderate degree of weathering on either Late Lavas of intermediate
age or more readily weathered scoriaceous basalts extruded in these flows. The soils
on some part are very shallow to shallow Latasolic Reddish Prairie soils. At the other
extreme they become quite stony or boulder.

Existing Land Use at Project Site:

The project site is presently under sugarcane cultivation to its full extent. It does not
accommodate any flora and fauna that are of any ecological interest. The site does not
fall in environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas such as river reserve, wetlands,
or springs.

3.4 DRAINAGE

There are no drainage paths due to the fact that the site is located on a relatively flat
terrain and the highly permeable nature of the geological formations of the area. In
order to cater for the drainage of the development, a storm water drainage network will
be provided to discharge into a series of soakaways, French drains and a retention
pond. Only the overflow will be diverted into an existing drainage system in the area.
The site drainage design philosophy is discussed in detail in section 2.6.2 of this
report.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 40

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

3.5 WATER RESOURCES

Mauritius can be considered as a well-watered island. Even the sub-humid coastal

regions can be regarded as having adequate water. The island has a radial surface
drainage pattern of major drainage areas with perennial streams and minor drainage
areas lying between the major ones. The riverless zones of the Late Lavas are
important groundwater storage basins. Surface storage of water is mostly confined to
natural basins in the central table-land. About 52% of all the water distributed for
consumption is sourced from underground water beds; the remaining consists of
surface water collected in reservoirs.

On account of the shallow nature of the lithomerge with relatively high clay and silt
fractions lying over hard impervious basalt, this island is generally not bestowed with
any rich ground water resources. Seepage rate is also small. As a result, at the bottom
of basins with low gradient soggy marshy soil tends to develop. Immediately after
rains, soil in any given part of the island feels soggy. However, an exception to this rule
is found in the terrain traversed by Segments 7 to 10, where the fractured nature of the
surface geology, seepage rate is high, contributing to availability of rather rich ground
water resource above the underlying impervious massive lava layers.

Groundwater is compartmentalized in aquifers by structures of ancient volcanic

formations. There are five principal aquifers in Mauritius but they are exploited
differently. As per the aquifer map of Mauritius (Figure 3.4), the Grand Baie site falls in
the Aquifer-V which is the Aquifer of Northern Plains.

The aquifer of the Northern Plains is bounded by the rivers Citron and du Rempart in
the south and by the coast line. Most of the area is underlain by fresh, scoriaceous and
vesicular lavas. The isohypse map of the recent basalt roof shows that the geological
formation is of intermediate basalt. The superficial part of the aquifer is of moderately
to highly weathered pyroclastics and show some characteristics of semi-confined
aquifers. There area is practically devoid of surface drainage due to the high
permeability of the soil. The depth of water table is within 5m of ground level near the
coast and can reach between 10m – 50m (dry season) over most of the Northern
Plains.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 41

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

With the increase in water demand and groundwater abstraction, flow of groundwater
has reversed leading to seawater intrusion in the aquifers. This is further accentuated
with the rise in sea level due to Climate Change. As this phenomenon is increasing, the
groundwater potential declines. The aquifers are contaminated with salt which will take
years to remove. The site is located within the seawater intrusion area. However, with
the different drainage systems in place as described in section 2.6.2 and the relatively
high permeability due to the non-weathered nature of the geological formation, the
development promotes aquifer recharge with soakaways, French drains and infiltration
ponds hence retarding salt water intrusion to progress further inland.

3.6 CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY

The climate is equable maritime sub-tropical humid. Rain comes in all months although
the weather never remains the same for more than a few days at a stretch. It is
frequently affected by disturbances of both temperate and tropical types. The direction
of wind is generally from the East, although the cyclones hit the island from the West.
The topography of the island is such that the mid-summer temperature at the Central
Plateau and the mid-winter temperature at the coast are similar.

In general, climate can be considered as comprising two seasons: a winter from May to
October during which the island experiences a cool and comparatively dry season
under the predominant influence of steady southeasterly trade winds, and the summer
from November to April, which is a warm and wet season often affected by tropical
cyclones. July is the coldest month with mean temperatures of 21.90C and 20.70C at
sea level in the leeward and windward exposures respectively, and 16.40C in the
central tableland at an elevation of about 600 m. February is the warmest month with
corresponding mean temperatures of 27.80C, 26.10C and 22.30C. The difference in
mean temperature between the two months of July and February is only 5.50C.

During the hot season that is between December and March, when the South East
Trade Wind is mild but the cyclonic activity is high, torrential rains of high intensity
occur.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 42

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

Figure 3.4: Aquifer map of Mauritius

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 43

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

On the other hand, during the cool months of June to September, the south East Trade
Wind will be strong, rainfall will be very frequent but not with high precipitation (less
than 100 mm per month). October and November may be drier still.

The months of most frequent cyclones are from December to March. The incidence of
tropical cyclones is of considerable importance to agriculture and economy. There are,
on average, 2 to 3 intense cyclones (with an indicated wind speed> 65 knots (~120
kph)) in the southwest Indian Ocean in a year. During the passage of the very
destructive cyclone Carol in 1960, a wind gust of 159 mph (~ 256 kph) was recorded.

Mauritius Trade Winds, land and sea breezes

Trade winds are southeasterly surface winds that generally blow from the subtropical
high pressure zone. The south-east trade winds have a direct effect on the climate of
Mauritius. There is a light breeze from south-eastern direction the whole year through.

Local wind is affected by the sea and land breeze effects and will show change of
direction with time of day. On calm nights, places on the eastern slope may
experience a land-breeze blowing towards the sea, and therefore with a pronounced
westward component.

Cyclonic Winds

The south-western Indian Ocean is a region known for its cyclonic activity. Cyclones
are very low-pressure regions, which have very high wind speeds that increase in
magnitude in the direction of the centre of the cyclone. Tropical cyclones usually occur
during the months of December to May. February is the most active month in terms of
cyclonic formation; this is based on the data collected by the National Meteorological
Services at Vacoas. Table 3.4 indicates the monthly occurrences of observed
cyclones.

Table 3.4 Monthly Percentage Occurrences of observed Cyclones

MONTH Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Total
% 18.1 20.8 30.6 18.1 9.7 2.8 100

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 44

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

From the observation of cyclonic wind speeds during the same period, the National
Meteorological Service has also established that the average for the wind velocities is
140 km/h (75 knots).

Mauritius is subject to occasional tropical cyclones characterized by low pressure, high

wind systems which typically occur in the months of December through March. Over
the period, 39% of cyclones have been classified as 'weak' (gust speeds <48 km/hr),
42% as 'moderate' (gust speeds between 48-80 km/hr) and 19% as 'strong' with gust
speeds >80 km/hr).

Table 3.5 gives the maximum gust speed of major cyclones of 100 km/h or more,
which has affected Mauritius during last 10 years.

The Inter-Tropical Zone of convergence gets located much further to the north of the
equator in the months of May to September than during November to April, when it is
located close to Mauritius. Seasonal shifts of this zone produce tropical cyclones,
visiting Mauritius in the summer months.

Table 3.5: Major Cyclones in and around Mauritius

Cyclone Month - year Highest Gust Speed (km/hr)
Not Named Apr-1892 240
Not Named Mar-1931 180
Not Named Jan-1945 157
Alix Jan-1960 200
Carol Feb-1960 256
Jenny Feb-1962 235
Danielle Mar-1964 219
Gervaise Feb-1975 280
Claudette Dec-1979 221
Laure Mar-1980 201
Bakoly Dec-1983 198
Firinga Jan-1989 190
Hollanda Feb-1994 216
Dina Jan-2002 228

The strongest gusts recorded instrumentally at Mauritius have been of 280 km/h,
(Gervaise at Mon Desert, February 1975) and records of gusts of 250 km/h have been

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 45

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

made in earlier cyclones, (e.g. Carol, 1960). Figure 3.5 shows the past major cyclone
tracks on Mauritius.

Figure 3.5: Major cyclone tracks on Mauritius

Relative Humidity

Mean monthly relative humidity varies from 86% in March to 80% in October in Vacoas
(Central Plateau). Corresponding figures for Plaisance (Coastal) are 85% and 78% and
Pamplemousses are 84% and 77%. So, we can deduce that the relative humidity at
Grand Baie is within the same range.

Rainfall Intensity

Mean annual rainfall ranges from a minimum of 800 mm on the west coast to over
3,600 mm in the central tableland, giving an increase of more than 2,800 mm over a
distance of about 20 km. During winter from May to October, rainfall expressed in as a
percentage of annual rainfall, varies between 30% and 35% in locations exposed to
trade winds, and between 10% and 30% in the western leeward areas.

The mean annual average rainfall over Mauritius as a whole is about 2,100mm. Two-
thirds of this total falls in the summer months of November to April. The driest month is
October with only 74mm or 3.5% of the total. November is taken as the first wet month,
as it receives an average 4.7% of the total, but it is noted that rainfall in November is

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 46

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

more variable than on other months, depending to some extent on whether early warm
season depressions affect the island or not in any particular year.

Figure 3.6 gives the 30-year average annual rainfall (the 1951-1980 normal rainfall)
over Mauritius in the form of isohyets.

The South-East of Mauritius receives the oceanic air with its moisture content and
benefits from the forced uplift resulting from its passage over sloping lands and hills.
The annual areal normal for the Grand Baie Site is around 1350mm (Table 3.6), of
which about 70% is received in the period November to April. The winter months thus
receives a fair amount of rain and can be considered only relatively dry. The driest
month is September with only 46mm or 3.4% of the yearly total.

Table 3.6: Monthly and annual normals in millimeters, 1971-2000

Station Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Pamplemousses 206 240 159 158 99 68 73 75 46 48 50 128 1350

% of Year 15.3 17.8 11.8 11.7 7.3 5.0 5.4 5.6 3.4 3.6 3.7 9.4 100
Source: Mauritius Meteorological Services

High intensity rainstorms are common and rainfalls of the order of 375 mm in 24 hours
have been recorded, particularly influenced by low pressure troughs, weak
depressions and tropical cyclones.

The above noted features of rainfall demand longitudinal and cross drains along the
roads. The capacities of the drains are normally designed by local run-off
characteristics in relation to intensity of rainfall for 10-year return period.

Past meteorological data of the project area have been collected from the
Meteorological Services. The climatologic features are summarized in Table-3.7.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 47

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

SITE

Figure 3.6: Mauritius Rainfall Normals 1951-1980 (Padya, 1984)

Table-3.7 Climatologic Features of the Project Site

Project Site Range of Mean Monthly Range of Monthly Total Annual
Temperature (°C) Total Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (mm)
Pamplemousses Max of 25.7 (July) – 31.1 (Jan) 46 (Sep) –240 (Feb) 1350
Min of 16.1 (July) – 22.2 (Feb)
Source: Mauritius Meteorological Services

Figure 3.7 below shows the mean summer and winter temperature variation in
Mauritius.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 48

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

Figure 3.7: Seasonal Temperature Variation in Mauritius

3.7 FLORA and FAUNA

3.7.1 Flora

The flora of the Island of Mauritius has been impacted upon over many centuries
through man induced processes. The pristine forest was cleared and brought under
cultivation between 1772 and 1810. So there is almost no indigenous vegetation left on
the site. The river reserves below the 150 m contour were de-reserved by law in 1965,
re-reserved by law in 1971.

This has resulted in a complete modification of the flora along the river reserves.
However, the River Reserves are now protected under the Forest and Reserves Act
No. 41 of 1983.

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 49

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

In the first instance, the natural vegetative covers on nearly all land with relatively
gentle slopes have been largely removed to make room for plantations of sugarcane.
Then, many exotic species of vegetation were introduced into this island, which have
turned invaders to suppress many of the indigenous species of vegetation. In most
forest plantations, preference has been given to the exotic species. About one third of
the area of this island has a cover of uncultivated vegetation, of which a major part is
under shrubs.

The project site is presently cultivated for sugarcane to its full extent. It does not
accommodate any endemic/endangered species, any rare flora or fauna that are
protected by law.

3.7.2 Fauna
No endangered animal species was noticed during field survey nor was any reported
by the local people. All the mammals found on the common exotic ones. A few of them
are the Black Rat and the Ship Rat, the Mongoose and hare.

3.8 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

Social environment can be conveniently described in terms of population, features of

urbanization, occupational pattern, ethnic features, objects of religion, etc.

3.8.1 Population
From the population statistics it is evident that the population in the island of Mauritius
is growing steadily. Between 2000 and 2010 the annual average population growth rate
was 0.87%. This growth is taking place across all the districts of the island. A glimpse
on this feature of the society in Mauritius in general and of the project area in particular
can be obtained from Table-3.8.

Table 3.8 Growth of Population

2000 2010
Annual Growth Rate (%)
Regions Population Density per Population Density per
2000-2010
sq. km sq. km
Island of Mauritius 1,143,069 613 1,243,084 667 0.87
District of Plaines of 358,182 1762 384,434 1891 0.73
Wilhems
District of Grand Port 106,665 410 115,377 559 0.82
District of Savanne 66,356 271 70,430 288 0.61
Source: Annual Digest of Statistics 2001 & 2010, Central Statistics Office

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 50

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

3.8.2 Patterns of Urbanization

The above mentioned growth of population is reflected in an asymmetric order in terms

of urban and rural components of the society. The rate has been faster for the rural
population. This is reflected in Table 3.9.

It is worth mentioning that the largest settlement of the Republic of Mauritius is the
capital City of Port Louis. It is also important to note that practically the entire urban
population of this island is found within the two neighbouring districts of Port Louis and
Plaines Wilhems. This feature of regional concentration of urban population is arising
from the fact that the five settlements of Port Louis, Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Quatre
Bornes, Vacoas-Phoenix and Curepipe are the only designated urban places. Between
these urban centers, the growth rate has not been the same. For being away from Port
Louis, the rate of growth has been higher. This suggests that area spread of urban
functions is a continuing process in this island.

Table 3.9 Growth of Urban and Rural Population in the Island of Mauritius
Categories Population Annual Growth Rate (%)
2000 2010 between 2000-2010
Rural Population 640,024 711,125 1.11
Urban Population 503,045 534,163 0.62
•Port Louis 144,303 148,416 0.29
• Beau Bassin/Rose Hill 103,872 110,866 0.67
• Quatre Bornes 75,884 81,899 0.79
• Vacoas/Phoenix 100,066 108,347 0.83
• Curepipe 78,920 84,635 0.72
Source: Annual Digest of Statistics 2001 &2010, Central Statistics Office

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 51

 Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development
- EIA Report

3.8.3 Occupational Pattern

The society is experiencing the impacts of economic transformation. This is reflected in

the shifts in the pattern of employment. From the limited data that is available in this
regard, Table-3.10 has been constructed. Although the data is somewhat dated, one
can easily see that the processes of economic transformation have been operating
over a long time.

This table clearly shows that the shift has been in favour of service industry. This is
another sign of transformation towards increasing urbanization. The features of the
more recent period have been discussed under economic environment in a
subsequent section of this chapter.

3.8.4 Ethnic Features

There are no ethnic features currently on the site that would require preservation or
would be disturbed by the construction works.

Table 3.10 Shift in Sectoral Employment between 2009 & 2011

SSector % Shift in 2011 over 2009

oAgriculture, forestry & fishing (-) 0.5
uMining & Quarrying (+) 0.0
rManufacturing Industry (-) 3.5
c
Electricity, gas & water (+) 0.2
e
Construction (+) 2.6
:
Wholesale & retail trade (+) 4.3
Hotels & Restaurants (+) 2.2
Transport, Storage & Communications (+) 0.2
Financial Intermediation (+) 0.9
S
oReal Estate, renting and business activities (+) 3.4
uPublic administration and defense;
(-) 0.5
rcompulsory social security
cEducation (+) 1.0
eHealth and social work (+) 2.8
:
Other services (+) 0.8
TOTAL (+) 13.9
M
Ministry of Economic Planning & Development (2011)

Chapter 3 – Baseline Environmental Status 52