7-1

7
ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Enhancement opportunities are viewed in terms of terrestrial biodiversity enhancement; compensation and
restoration opportunities can be provided through landscaping strategy along with reintroduction of native
vegetation
7.1
THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN INTENT
The text below is reproduced from the Landscape Design Report prepare for EIA purposes by Green Intentions
Landscape Architects appointed for the project.
The landscape design aims to create a tropical garden, which integrates with the unique landscape of the west
coast of Mauritius. The hotel landscape is an extension of the coastal landscape and aims to enhance the
Mauritian tropical experience for its visitors with the addition of endemic and carefully chosen exotic species.
The landscape is nested in the Black River district in an existing landscape that is associated with the African
Savanna vegetation biome. Species such as lemon grass will be used to marriage the hotel landscape and
create a seamless transition between its immediate context.
The zoning of the landscape progressively changes from a coastal vegetation type with hardy planting that
protects the plants to the centre from salt spray, to a tropical garden with ornamental planting. It also serves to
prevent soil erosion by means of boulder retaining features interplanted with Psidia argute to retain soil and
minimize soil erosion.
The beach crescent will mainly entail rehabilitation of existing vegetation, removal of invasive undergrowth and
cutting of grass. This area will contain a natural path for public access.
The perched beach zone will consist of mainly accent feature planting such as Pandanus utilis and Coconut
palms. 420m2 of sand will need to be imported.
Small trees such as Tournefourtia argentia and shrubs such as Barleria observatrix and Scaveloa tacada will be
planted around the pool deck area to create protective screen for more fragile ornamental planting in the
hotel beach garden.
The hotel beach garden will boast with colourful displays of tropical plants found in Mauritius. This will also
act as a light vegetal veil between the public pool deck and beach area in order to create privacy for the guest
rooms. This planting zone also intends to soften the building mass to create a softer backdrop to the beach and
pool area. The Tamarin tree in this zone will be pruned to have views from entrances and hotel rooms.
The major pedestrian access route runs along the back of the hotel rooms where colourful planting and
groundcovers will be planted as well as shade trees to welcome guests into the lush tropical garden. This will
be a mix of indigenous and exotic planting.
The access road leading up to this new phase of the hotel will be lined with the proud and very ornamental
Terminalia bentzoe. Underneath the trees will be planting that gives occasional colour and integrates well with
the surrounding ‘savanna type landscape’ with the use of lemon grass. An area of lawn is provided next to the
path to enlarge the walkable surface along the access road.
The various above-mentioned zones are shown in Figure 7-1 below.
Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin
7-1
September 2014
Figure 7-1: Landscape Zoning
7.2
THE LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN
The Landscape Master Plan is attached hereafter.
The landscape master plan presents the design intent spelt out above in its natural context.
The landscape master plan overlays the tree survey, the architectural master plan and the landscaping plan.
As mentioned in the previous chapter, 13 Eucalyptus tereticornis are to be removed; one is found on the
footprint of the hotel, three others are located at the rear of the rooms and nine are located on the road/cart
path alignment.
One Terminalia catappa will have to be removed as also located on the road/cart path alignment.
The list of species to be reintroduced and location thereof is shown on the Landscape Master Plan and include
plants mentioned in the previous section and being a mix of native and ornamental species.
Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin
7-2
September 2014