Belle Vue Forest Trail, Daruty | ||
Located in Petit Raffray in the North and intersected by Vale Road (B12), the Daruty Forest is predominantly made up of planted exotic tree species of commercial importance. These trees played a key role in Mauritius’s development by providing jobs and supplying timber to forest industries that supported construction, livestock, and agriculture sectors. The Belle Vue Forest Trail, situated on an extent of 9.2 ha, covers an area of 108.22 ha of State planted Forest land, which was created during the French/ British colonisation period in the 18th century. The forest hosts a diverse range of botanical species, including mature flowering trees like Tabebuia pallida, Swietenia mahagoni, Cordia alliodora, Gmelina arborea, Vitex glabrata, Juniperus bermudiana, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Araucaria cunninghamii, Eucalyptus citriodora, Agathis robusta, Cassia siamea, and Dalbergia latifolia. This rich variety immerses visitors in both the natural beauty and history of Mauritius. The site has social, cultural, historical, and economical importance as it harbours vestiges of an earlier model of a sugar mill during colonial times. The Daruty Forest Trails are attractive due to their flatness and easy trekking routes. The trails avoid waterlogging, making them suitable for trekkers of all ages and fitness levels. The loops range from 500 meters up to around 3 km, and the high daytime visitor numbers combined with excellent visibility enhance safety throughout the hiking areas. The project aimed at enhancing the environment by protecting and conserving the existing Forest from any major infrastructural development while providing recreational facilities for the local inhabitants and visitors, including trekking and an outdoor gym facility. | ||
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