Chamarel

Chamarel is a village located in the western hills on the west coast of Mauritius at an elevation of about 850 feet (260 m) between Savanne and the Black river districts where the cascades are formed on the River du Capano flowing through an "amphitheater of abrupt rocks". It is a wooded plateau. The village is known for its "hushed bucolic vibe and cool breezes".[6][7][8] It is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the coast.[9] Fauna noted in the forest surrounding the town is tortoise.[6]

The population in the village is one of the lowest in Mauritius, according to the census made by Statistics Mauritius in 2011; the population was at 783.[1] Creoles form the major work force in this village of the Black River district.[10] Creole Morisyen of the village have adopted to the concept of preserving the natural environment as it has provided them sustenance, while other creoles are in favour of ethnic tourism. Creole cuisine and the Rasrafarin music group and Group Natir are cultural traditions of the village which are popular.[11]

The Chamarel village is named after the Frenchman Charles Antoine de Chazal de Chamarel, who lived in the area around 1800.[3] In the past the entire area of the village belonged to him. Mathew Flinders who was captured in Mauritius during the Napoleonic war was hosted by Chamarel in his estate.[12] However, the local residents of the village call the area as the "Valley of Blacks".[13]

The village has plantations of sugarcane and pineapples. Coffee plantations are also extensive.[9]Arabica coffee plants and palm salad trees are lined on the way to the waterfall.[14][7]

Seven Coloured Earths,a heap of Earth's crust showing seven colours

Chamarel Falls

One of the notable places of interest is the Coloured Earths, which is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the south west of the town. Coloured Earths is a phenomenon resulting from colour variations due to cooling of molten rock. The lava formations are estimated to be of 3.5 to 7 million years in age.[13][6] These are heaps of exposed Earth's crust which show up in seven colours when sunlight falls on them.[9] Viewing them in the morning hours when sunlight and the dew mingle bring out the best of its colours. A closer view is better than the views from the timber platforms and walkways erected for the purpose. [15][14] The colour earth phenomenon is located downstream of the water fall on the Black River valley where the land is barren and plain which measures about 7–8 acres (2.8–3.2 ha) with hardly any vegetation. It gives the appearance of furrows in rows, as colors are observed in horizontal ridges known as "Les Cotes de Melon" ("The Melon's Slices"). An examination of the ground condition where the colours of different shades, varying from "yellow and yellowish brown to bright red, purple, and coal black" indicates about forty hues. The samples collected from this area have been subject to chemical analysis which reveal that the formation consists of cohesive formation of ferruginous clays without any organic matter, and devoid or with least presence of any principal elements of soil fertility. There is hardly any nitrogen but traces of lime, potash and phosphoric acid have been noted. However, the dominant percentage is of iron and alumina.[8]

Another interesting place to see is the Chamarel waterfall on the River du Cap.[8] This is 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the entrance gate of the town. The water falls by 95 metres (312 ft) (100 metres (330 ft) is also mentioned.[14]) along a vertical cliff. Abseiling from the top of the fall is a water sport that can be organised upon request to some professionals service providers. Abseiling is done from the location where the fall begins and ends at the water pond down below,[12] which is in an oval shape. The spray of the fall rises to half the height of the fall.[8] Approach to the falls is stiff and slippery.[7]

One more place of interest in Chamarel is the Rhumerie de Chamarel, a distillery located in the plantations in the hills of Chamarel. The distillery, based on sugarcane, also has a museum where the process of manufacturing rum is displayed and narrated. It was established by the owner of Beachcomber hotel in 2008 and is known for the eco-friendly manufacturing process in which all byproducts are reused. The rum is said to have a good flavour and can be tasted at the L'Alchimiste restaurant at the site.[12][9]

The village church is the Chapel of St. Anne. Every year on 15 August, a pilgrimage, the Catholic Feast of Assumption, is held here when a fair is organized, funds collected and people served with the "Curry number two", a delicacy; the number two suffix to the name of the cuisine is attributed to monkey which takes second precedence in evolution.[7]

Popular adventure sports activities in the village are mountain biking, and horse back riding in a riding school. There is also an adventure park in the forest which provides for activities such as crossing Zip-lines, mini suspension bridges, and rope ways. In addition, the newly restored Ebony Forest Chamarel is located near to the Coloured Earths and this conservation area is now open to visitors.[12]

• Districts of Mauritius
• List of places in Mauritius
• Seven Coloured Earths
• Ebony Forest Chamarel

• Boswell, Rosabelle (2006). Le Malaise Créole: Ethnic Identity in Mauritius. Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-1-84545-075-5.
• Carillet, Jean-Bernard; Presser, Brandon (2010). Lonely Planet Mauritius, Reunion & Seychelles. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1-74179-167-9.
• Macmillan, Allister (2000). Mauritius Illustrated: Historical and Descriptive, Commercial and Industrial Facts, Figures, & Resources. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-1508-3.
• Maurel, Martine (February 2007). Mauritius. New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84537-647-5.
• Richards, Alexandra (2012). Mauritius. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-410-5.

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