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| Savanne District | |
|---|---|
| Name | Savanne District |
| Settlement type | District |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Mauritius |
| Seat | Souillac |
| Area total km2 | 244 |
| Population total | 68850 |
| Population as of | 2015 |
| Iso code | MU-SA |
Savanne District is a district located in the southern part of Mauritius, known for its coastal cliffs, inland plateaus and cultural mosaics. The district seat is Souillac and the area includes a mix of rural villages, historic plantations and protected landscapes. Savanne has been shaped by colonial settlement, sugarcane agriculture and later diversification into tourism and conservation.
Savanne occupies the southern coast of Mauritius between the districts of Grand Port District and Rivière du Rempart District, bordering the Indian Ocean to the south and encompassing features such as Rivière des Anguilles, La Nicolière Reservoir, and the Le Morne Brabant ridge system. The district contains geological formations tied to the island’s volcanic origins, including basaltic plateaus that contrast with the coastal limestone cliffs at Roches Noires and the Le Souffleur blowhole near Souillac. Climate in Savanne is influenced by the Southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season, with rainfall patterns driven by the Mascarene High and trade winds. Ecologically, the district adjoins protected sites noted by Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, Black River Gorges National Park corridors, and important endemic habitats for species documented in lists by IUCN and survey reports from Mauritian National Parks and Conservation Service.
Pre-colonial visits to the island by sailors from Arabian Peninsula and Portuguese Empire preceded the formal claim by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. During the period of Dutch Mauritius, early exploitation of ebony and tortoises altered local landscapes before the island was abandoned and later claimed by the French East India Company as part of Isle de France administration. Under French colonialism the area saw establishment of sugar estates owned by planters associated with families involved in transactions recorded during the era of the Napoleonic Wars and later transferred to British control after the Treaty of Paris (1814). The abolition of slavery in British Mauritius initiated labor migrations, including indentured laborers from British India, whose arrival reshaped demographics linked to estate agriculture and led to social shifts recorded in census archives held by the Mauritius Central Statistics Office. Twentieth-century developments included infrastructure projects undertaken during mandates of political leaders such as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and economic reforms after independence under administrations including Sir Anerood Jugnauth.
Savanne’s population reflects historical migrations: descendants of Indian indentured workers, African slaves survivors, French settler families, Chinese merchants, and British administrators, forming a multicultural mix recognized in national censuses by the Central Statistics Office (Mauritius). Languages commonly spoken correspond to communities linked to Bhojpuri language, Mauritian Creole, French language, Hindi language, and English language in educational institutions like schools overseen by the Ministry of Education (Mauritius). Religious observances in Savanne include practices associated with Hinduism in Mauritius, Catholic Church in Mauritius, Islam in Mauritius, Buddhism in Mauritius, and syncretic traditions noted in ethnographic studies by scholars at University of Mauritius.
Historically dominated by sugarcane estates managed by companies such as Mauritius Sugar Syndicate and private planters tied to the trade networks of Compagnie des Indes Orientales, the district economy has diversified into sectors including coastal tourism promoted by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, small-scale agro-processing linked to cooperatives registered with the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, and artisanal fisheries targeting local markets served through ports connected to the Mauritius Ports Authority. Recent development initiatives financed by entities like the Mauritius Investment Corporation and supported by bilateral partners including European Union programs have emphasized eco-tourism, renewable energy projects referenced in national energy plans, and small enterprise support via institutions such as the SME Mauritius scheme.
Savanne is administered under the decentralised framework of the Republic of Mauritius through the Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management and local bodies such as the Savanne District Council headquartered at Souillac. Electoral representation falls within constituencies defined by the Electoral Commission of Mauritius for the National Assembly (Mauritius), with municipal oversight interacting with agencies like the Mauritius Police Force and statutory bodies including the Central Electricity Board and Central Water Authority for utilities. Land administration, including titles for former plantations, is processed via the Land and Housing Division records and civil registrations filed with the Registrar General's Office.
Major transport links serving Savanne include arterial roads connecting to the Port Louis–Mahébourg thoroughfares, regional bus services operated under schedules regulated by the Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail, and proximity to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport for air links. Local infrastructure features bridges over rivers like Rivière des Anguilles, water storage at La Nicolière Reservoir, and electrification managed by the Central Electricity Board. Telecommunications services are provided by corporations such as Mauritius Telecom and competitors like Emtel and Ciel Satellite Communications, while health facilities coordinate with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and district clinics referenced in national healthcare planning documents.
Savanne’s cultural landscape showcases festivals and heritage sites that draw visitors through attractions promoted by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and documented by cultural organizations like the Mauritius Museums Council. Notable sites and events include the Rochester Falls cascade, the colonial architecture of Souillac churches preserved by the Catholic Diocese of Port-Louis, coastal features such as La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes with species exhibits curated by conservation groups including the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, and cultural performances reflecting practices of communities linked to Indian Ocean Creole culture. Gastronomy and handicrafts in local markets reflect influences from Mauritian Creole cuisine, Indian cuisine, Chinese cuisine, and French cuisine, while guided trails connect to conservation initiatives sponsored by regional entities like the Seychelles-Mauritius-Réunion biodiversity networks.
Category:Districts of Mauritius