Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
UNDERSTAND RODRIGUES
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Rodrigues Today
Rodrigues has long felt itself ignored by policymakers on the main island of Mauritius, and
even with greater autonomy formally granted in 2002, some are looking to take the next
step. As such, complete independence remains a fervent desire for some and in April 2010,
the Muvman Independantis Rodriguais (MIR) was launched when two candidates ran for
government positions as 'Rodriguans' rather than 'Mauritians'. Although they were re-
buffed, the issue won't go away any time soon.
In the meantime, Rodrigues' regional assembly is trying to tackle the overriding prob-
lems of population growth, poverty and critical water shortages. This latter problem is a
grave one with year-round rationing. New hotels and many exisiting ones are being forced
to look towards sustainable water options (including desalinisation), so conserve water
whenever you can.
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History
Rodrigues is named after the Portuguese navigator Don Diégo Rodriguez, who was the first
European to discover the uninhabited island in 1528. Dutch sailors were the next to pay a
call, albeit very briefly, in 1601, followed a few years later by the French.
At first Rodrigues was simply a place where ships could take refuge from storms and re-
plenish their supplies of fresh water and meat. Giant tortoises were especially prized since
they could be kept alive on board for months. Over the years thousands were taken or
killed until they completely died out. Rodrigues also had a big flightless bird, the solitaire,
which went the same sorry way as its distant cousin, the dodo.
The first serious attempt at colonisation occurred in 1691 when Frenchman François
Leguat and a band of seven Huguenot companions fled religious persecution at home in
search of a 'promised land'. Crops grew well and the island's fauna and flora were a source
of wonder. Even so, after two years, life on a paradise island began to pall, not least due to
