LE MORNE: A World Heritage Site (A book review by Vimal Kodai)

LE MORNE: A World Heritage Site

(Book review by Vimal Kodai)

            This sensitive and historical booklet marks the great many facets of botany, history, geography, geology, and the epic journey of slaves and indentured labourers—in the very surroundings of Le Morne. I truly adapt to this booklet as a very mere reader who cherishes lots about the rich history of the Republic of Mauritius. I have learnt from other newly fed events depicted from this booklet which were brought forward and well-set by the author, Mr. Abdool Wahab Owadally.

            My having been a student of Mr. Jocelyn Chan Low (from Form I to Form 3) has obviously driven my curiosity and increased my eagerness to learn about what Mr. Owadally is so willingly quoting from excerpts taken from the former’s written historical masterpieces. I have diligently skimmed through this booklet, before reading it minutely, and while sharing an open mind as to how certain events shaped Le Morne to what it displays on this very day. The author suggests and distinctly mentions that this particular region is today a monument and moreover “A World Heritage Site.” I lay my convictions upon certain issues that trace this ‘heritage site’ and others that would suggest better characteristics of its Fauna and Flora that have shaped and which still to this day shapes the coastal area of Le Morne. To a broader extent, certain moral and ethical factors which have evolved around this site as it happens to claim its symbolic emblem, are by all means meaningful and embellishing—obviously, I refer back to slavery and its impact on this world ‘heritage site.’

            I truly believe that the booklet is rich; keen merit is deservingly aimed towards the author for the amount of research he has done, and for his provision of historical facts to shape his masterpiece. I regard this book as an accomplishment of high degree for it compiles botany, geology and history in a harmonious manner. I have revived certain key issues that slaves and indentured labourers faced during their early arrivals to Île de France and also during the British rule. My knowledge of botany is very poor, and I vividly say that likewise, any reader of my nature would have been overwhelmed to know all the Latin names of Flora that existed and which still exists in the region of Le Morne. Mr. Owadally sets aside a richly blended flavour of his very expertise of botany, geology, history and geography in his writing.