Rodrigues

{{See also|History of Mauritius}}

Rodrigues was named after Portuguese explorer Diogo Rodrigues, who first came upon the uninhabited island in 1528, under direction of Portuguese Viceroy Pedro Mascarenhas (namesake of the Mascarene Islands).

Many maps also describe it as Diego Roiz. From the 10th century, Arabs are known to have visited the Mascarene Islands. The Cantino planisphere of {{circa|1500}} and some other contemporary maps clearly show the three islands of the Mascarenes as Dina Arobi (or Harobi), Dina Margabin and Dina Moraze. These are apparently corrupted transliterations or transcriptions of the Arabic {{lang|ar|ديفا هاراب}} Diva Harab ("Desert Island"), {{lang|ar|ديفا مغربين}} Diva Maghrebin ("Western Island") and {{lang|ar|ديفا ماشريق}} Diva Mashriq ("Eastern Island").{{dubious|date=September 2024}} While the second clearly refers to Réunion, sources disagree about which of the other is Mauritius and which one Rodrigues, which are both to the east of Réunion and arranged in a somewhat stylised way on these maps. However, even in its original state, Rodrigues had some karst, while Mauritius even after suffering 500 years of deforestation can by no means be called "desert" even in a colloquial sense.{{cite encyclopedia |title=The Arabs |url=http://www.mauritiusencyclopedia.com/History/Arabs.htm |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Mauritiana |access-date=6 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501213112/http://www.mauritiusencyclopedia.com/History/Arabs.htm |archive-date=1 May 2012}}

The island was located again in February 1507. Part of the fleet of Afonso de Albuquerque and Tristão da Cunha, Diogo Fernandes Pereira's ship Cisne (Swan) spotted Réunion on 9 February after a cyclone had diverted their course forcing them to go around Madagascar, unlike the rest of the fleet. It has also been opined that this was due to a navigational error by Afonso de Albuquerque. The other two islands were subsequently rediscovered. The initial name was Diogo Fernandes; Domingo Froiz was given as a name some years later, and by 1528 it had been again renamed after the Portuguese navigator Dom Diogo Rodrigues and has remained so since. The orthography has been less stable at first, with the name being transcribed Diogo Rodríguez (Spanish maps), Diego Roiz, Diego Ruys (Dutch maps) (or even Diego Ruy's Island), Dygarroys or Bygarroys. Some early French sources called it Île Marianne.{{citation needed|date = November 2023}}

Due to the island lying far off the beaten track of seafarers at that time, it received few visits. From 1601, the Dutch began visiting the island somewhat more regularly for fresh supplies of food. In 1691, the Huguenot François Leguat and seven companions landed on the island, intending to set up a farming colony of Protestant refugees. Farming was not successful, but there was an abundance of tortoises, turtles, birds, fish and other seafood.{{citation needed|date = November 2023}}

During the 18th century, several attempts were made by the French to develop the island. African slaves (ancestors of the present population) were brought to Rodrigues to develop stock-breeding and farming. In 1735 a permanent French settlement was established, subordinated to Île Bourbon.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Mauritius.htm#Rodrigues |title=Mauritius |website=worldstatesmen.org |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115174034/http://worldstatesmen.org/Mauritius.htm#Rodrigues |url-status=live }}

In 1809, after a brief battle with the French, British troops took possession of Rodrigues.{{Cite book |author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. |title=British Battles and Medals. |page=30. Published Spink, London. 1988}}{{ISBN| 0907605257}} After British occupation, slavery was eventually abolished in 1834. By 1843, the population had declined to a low of 250.{{citation needed|date = November 2023}}

In 1883, the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa was heard at Rodrigues Island and it remains the furthest point, at almost {{convert|4800|km|abbr=on}}, at which the explosion was heard.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-krakatoa-made-the-biggest-bang-476616.html |title=How Krakatoa made the biggest bang — Science — News |newspaper=The Independent |date=3 May 2006 |access-date=6 March 2014 |archive-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107132159/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-krakatoa-made-the-biggest-bang-476616.html |url-status=live }} The sound was described as "the roar of heavy guns". Naval ships were ordered to investigate as it was feared the sound was due to a ship in distress firing its guns. The noise remains the loudest sound in recorded history.{{citation needed|date = November 2023}}

In September 1897, solo sailor Joshua Slocum spent eight days on the island. He would later write, "At Rodriguez one may now find every convenience for filling pure and wholesome water in any quantity. Governor Roberts having built a reservoir in the hills, above the village, and laid pipes to the jetty, where, at the time of my visit, there were five and a half feet at high tide. In former years well-water was used, and more or less sickness occurred from it. Beef may be had in any quantity on the island, and at a moderate price. Sweet potatoes were plentiful and cheap; the large sack of them that I bought there for about four shillings kept unusually well. I simply stored them in the sloop's dry hold. Of fruits, pomegranates were most plentiful; for two shillings I obtained a large sack of them, as many as a donkey could pack from the orchard, which, by the way, was planted by nature herself."{{cite book |last1=Slocum |first1=Joshua |title=Sailing Alone Around the World |date=1901 |publisher=The Century Co. |location=New York |page=225 |url=https://archive.org/details/sailingalonearo01slocgoog/page/n251/mode/1up |access-date=3 January 2023}}

Early in 1968, HMS Cambrian, which was part of the Beira Patrol following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia, was diverted to Rodrigues to quell a reported uprising by some of the populace. The uprising consisted of a number of individuals who had been arrested by the local authorities for breaking into a warehouse and appropriating a supply of sweet potatoes. Other locals went to the authorities and by violence released the arrested persons. At this point, it is believed that the authorities requested assistance which was provided by HMS Cambrian. On her early morning arrival, the ship's 4.5" guns were fired (with blanks, it is believed) and an armed landing party was provided. This resulted in the offenders being rounded up and imprisoned again.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=Cry Freedom: Rodrigues Island: Case for Self-Determination {{!}} Pambazuka News |url=https://www.pambazuka.org/pan-africanism/cry-freedom-rodrigues-island-case-self-determination |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=pambazuka.org |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203143436/https://www.pambazuka.org/pan-africanism/cry-freedom-rodrigues-island-case-self-determination |url-status=live }}

File:Rodrigues CalcareniticShore.jpg

File:Rodrigues Island, Mauritius-17May2004.jpg

Rodrigues is a volcanic island rising from a ridge along the edge of the Mascarene Plateau. The tectonically active Rodrigues Triple Point lies on the sea-floor nearby. Rodrigues is only 1.5 million years old, even if the plateau under the lagoon surrounding Rodrigues may be much more ancient than the island.{{cite web |url=http://www.govmu.org/portal/site/abtmtius/menuitem.37cd78c9e3a902984d57241079b521ca/ |title=Geography − Overview |publisher=Government of Mauritius |access-date=10 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Over time Rodrigues has developed a unique environment, including many endemic species.

Rodrigues is situated about {{convert|560|km}} to the east of Mauritius. It is about {{convert|18|km|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|6.5|km|abbr=on}} wide with an area of {{convert|108|km2|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://metservice.intnet.mu/pdfs/Climatological%20Summaries%20May%202008.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010073952/http://metservice.intnet.mu/pdfs/Climatological%20Summaries%20May%202008.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2013 |title=Meteorological Services − Monthly Bulletin of Climatological Summaries |version=May 2008 |page=3 |publisher=Mauritius Meteorological Services |access-date=22 March 2012}} The shape is that of a whale back with a central ridge and deep cut valleys. The island is hilly with a central spine culminating in the highest peak, Mountain Limon at {{convert|398|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Rodrigues is the only Mascarene island with extensive limestone deposits and caves. A large fringing reef surrounds the island forming a lagoon within which lie eighteen small islets.{{cite web |url=http://www.govmu.org/portal/goc/moa/file/chap6a.pdf |publisher=Government of Mauritius |title=Overview of the Biodiversity of Rodrigues |access-date=10 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web |url=http://www.govmu.org/portal/goc/mpu/file/chapter%207.pdf |publisher=Government of Mauritius |title=Hydrology of Rodrigues and Agalega |access-date=10 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The coral reef of Rodrigues is of particular interest as it is self-seeding – it receives no coral zooplankton from elsewhere. This has led to an overall species-poor but highly adapted ecosystem. A species of coral, two species of Pomacentrus damselfish and many species of crustaceans are found only on Rodrigues' reefs.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mu/mu-nr-03-en.pdf |title=Convention on Biological Diversity – Third National Report for the Republic of Mauritius, Section 5.2.1, p. 26 |access-date=19 January 2007 |date=October 2006 |publisher=Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit in collaboration with the UNEP/GEF |archive-date=12 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512092629/http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mu/mu-nr-03-en.pdf |url-status=live }}

The isolation and location of the island give a microclimate specific to Rodrigues, with two seasons. Rodrigues enjoys a mild tropical maritime climate with persistent trade winds blowing throughout the year. Mean summer temperature is {{convert|25.9|C|F}} and mean winter temperature is around {{convert|22.3|C|F}}. The temperature difference between summer and winter is 3.6 °C. January to March are the hottest months and August is the coolest month. The wettest month is February; September and October are the driest months. The climate is hotter and drier than in Mauritius. Cyclones may arise from November to April, and Rodrigues is more often hit than Mauritius.{{cite web |url=http://metservice.intnet.mu/climate-services/climate-of-rodrigues-and-islands.php |publisher=Mauritius Meteorological Services |title=Climate of Rodrigues & other outer islands |access-date=26 January 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208034614/http://metservice.intnet.mu/climate-services/climate-of-rodrigues-and-islands.php |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|collapsed = yes

|location = Rodrigues

|Jan record high C = 33.9

|Feb record high C = 34.0

|Mar record high C = 33.9

|Apr record high C = 33.0

|May record high C = 30.9

|Jun record high C = 30.9

|Jul record high C = 30.4

|Aug record high C = 31.2

|Sep record high C = 30.7

|Oct record high C = 30.9

|Nov record high C = 30.9

|Dec record high C = 33.1

|year record high C = 34.0

|Jan high C = 29.2

|Feb high C = 29.3

|Mar high C = 29.4

|Apr high C = 28.7

|May high C = 27.5

|Jun high C = 26.0

|Jul high C = 25.0

|Aug high C = 24.8

|Sep high C = 25.4

|Oct high C = 26.3

|Nov high C = 27.4

|Dec high C = 28.7

|year high C = 27.3

|Jan low C = 23.6

|Feb low C = 23.8

|Mar low C = 23.7

|Apr low C = 23.0

|May low C = 21.6

|Jun low C = 20.1

|Jul low C = 19.1

|Aug low C = 18.8

|Sep low C = 19.3

|Oct low C = 20.1

|Nov low C = 21.3

|Dec low C = 22.8

|year low C = 21.4

|Jan record low C = 18.4

|Feb record low C = 19.8

|Mar record low C = 19.0

|Apr record low C = 18.4

|May record low C = 18.1

|Jun record low C = 16.5

|Jul record low C = 14.5

|Aug record low C = 15.2

|Sep record low C = 15.8

|Oct record low C = 16.5

|Nov record low C = 17.2

|Dec record low C = 19.2

|year record low C = 14.5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 150.0

|Feb precipitation mm = 184.7

|Mar precipitation mm = 131.2

|Apr precipitation mm = 117.0

|May precipitation mm = 78.3

|Jun precipitation mm = 77.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 80.8

|Aug precipitation mm = 59.4

|Sep precipitation mm = 43.8

|Oct precipitation mm = 40.7

|Nov precipitation mm = 70.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 71.0

|year precipitation mm = 1104.5

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 12

|Feb precipitation days = 13

|Mar precipitation days = 13

|Apr precipitation days = 13

|May precipitation days = 12

|Jun precipitation days = 13

|Jul precipitation days = 15

|Aug precipitation days = 13

|Sep precipitation days = 9

|Oct precipitation days = 8

|Nov precipitation days = 7

|Dec precipitation days = 8

|year precipitation days =

|Jan humidity = 79

|Feb humidity = 81

|Mar humidity = 80

|Apr humidity = 79

|May humidity = 75

|Jun humidity = 74

|Jul humidity = 75

|Aug humidity = 74

|Sep humidity = 74

|Oct humidity = 74

|Nov humidity = 76

|Dec humidity = 77

|year humidity = 76

|Jan sun = 275.9

|Feb sun = 240.1

|Mar sun = 257.3

|Apr sun = 243.0

|May sun = 244.9

|Jun sun = 219.0

|Jul sun = 232.5

|Aug sun = 244.9

|Sep sun = 237.0

|Oct sun = 275.9

|Nov sun = 273.0

|Dec sun = 285.2

|year sun = 3028.7

|Jand sun = 8.9

|Febd sun = 8.5

|Mard sun = 8.3

|Aprd sun = 8.1

|Mayd sun = 7.9

|Jund sun = 7.3

|Juld sun = 7.5

|Augd sun = 7.9

|Sepd sun = 7.9

|Octd sun = 8.9

|Novd sun = 9.1

|Decd sun = 9.2

|yeard sun = 8.9

|source 1 = Mauritius Meteorological Services

|date=January 2015

}}

File:Rodriguesrohrsänger.jpg) in the Grande Montagne area, Rodrigues]]

Rodrigues was characterised by endemic plant and animal species in abundance, but since the seventeenth century much of its biodiversity has been eradicated. The island was home to two now-extinct endemic giant tortoises, a domed species (Cylindraspis peltastes), and a saddle-backed species (C. vosmaeri), and such birds as the Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), a giant flightless pigeon closely related to the dodo of Mauritius, and the Rodrigues night heron (Nycticorax megacephalus). An endemic species of bat, the Rodrigues flying fox, is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. There are two remaining endemic bird species: the Rodrigues fody and the Rodrigues warbler, both are listed as near threatened.{{citation needed|date = November 2023}}

To restore some forest areas, Grande Montagne, Anse Quitor (with neighbouring François Leguat Giant Tortoise Reserve) and two islets, Île aux Sables and Île aux Cocos have been declared nature reserves (under the Forest and Reserves Act 1983).{{cite web |url=http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mu/mu-nr-04-en.pdf |publisher=Convention on Biological Diversity |author=Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development |title=Fourth National Report on the Convention on Biological Diversity – Republic of Mauritius |version=August 2010 |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512014433/http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mu/mu-nr-04-en.pdf |url-status=live }} Endangered plants on the reserves include Zanthoxylum paniculatum, Polyscias rodriguesiana, Badula balfouriana, and Gouania leguatii.{{cite web |url=http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/index.php?tpid=31&tcid=88 |title=Welcome to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) – In The Field – Rodrigues – Anse Quitor |website=mauritian-wildlife.org |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064446/http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/index.php?tpid=31&tcid=88 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/index.php?tpid=31&tcid=92 |title=Welcome to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) – In The Field – Rodrigues – Plant |website=mauritian-wildlife.org |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064435/http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/index.php?tpid=31&tcid=92 |url-status=live }}

File:Assemblée regionale de Rodrigues.JPG

The island of Rodrigues is a constituency of the Republic of Mauritius and is dependent on the latter. However, on 20 November 2001, the Mauritius National Assembly unanimously adopted two laws giving Rodrigues its autonomy, creating a decentralised government system. This new legislation has allowed the implementation of a regional assembly in Rodrigues constituting 18 members and an executive council headed by a Chief Commissioner. The council meets every week to make decisions, draw up laws and manage the budget. The Chief Commissioner has the main task of informing the Mauritian Prime Minister of the management of the island's concerns. The last election of the Rodriguan Regional Assembly was held on 27 February 2022. The Alliance (UPR/MIR/PSMD/FPR

) party was the winner and obtained nine seats, while the Organisation du Peuple de Rodrigues (OPR) obtained eight. The President acts as head of state and the Chief Commissioner as head of government on Rodrigues.{{Cite web |date=2015-07-19 |title=Rodrigues Island |url=https://yuva.info/activism/yuva-mauritius/rodrigues-island/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=YUVA |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013054105/https://yuva.info/activism/yuva-mauritius/rodrigues-island/ |archive-date=2022-10-13 |url-status=live}} The current chief commissioner is Johnson Roussety and the Chief Executive of Rodrigues is Pierre Louis Jean Claude.{{Cite web |title=Rodrigues Administration |url=https://mroiti.govmu.org/Pages/Rodrigues/Rodrigues-Administration.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621090520/https://mroiti.govmu.org/Pages/Rodrigues/Rodrigues-Administration.aspx |archive-date=2022-06-21 |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Mauritian Government |url-status=dead}}

The island includes six electoral regions: La Ferme (Region 1), Marechal (Region 2), Saint Gabriel (Region 3), Baie aux Huitres (Region 4), Port Mathurin (Region 5) and Grande Montagne (Region 6). Rodrigues Regional Assembly election are held every five years.

Rodrigues is divided into 14 municipalities or zones. For statistical purposes, the zones are further subdivided into a total of 182 localities. The zones have between a minimum of six localities (La Ferme) and maximum of 22 (the capital Port Mathurin).{{cite journal |url=http://www.govmu.org/portal/sites/ncb/cso/report/hpcen00/migra/munirod.htm |publisher=Government of Mauritius |title=List of localities within each zone defined for Rodrigues |access-date=10 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

600x600px

The population estimate (as of 18 November 2022) for the island of Rodrigues was 43,650.{{cite web |title=2022 Population Census – Main Results Highlights |url=https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Pages/Censuses%20and%20Surveys/Census/2022_Population_census_Main_results.aspx |website=Statistics Mauritius |access-date=19 December 2022 |archive-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219174748/https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Pages/Censuses%20and%20Surveys/Census/2022_Population_census_Main_results.aspx |url-status=live }} The main religion is Christianity, dominated by Roman Catholicism with small minorities of other Christian branches, as well as Jehovah's Witnesses, and there are also Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. Most of the inhabitants are of African descent and there is a minority of mixed-race peoples,{{Clarify|reason = It says majority are mixed African and European but also that minority are mixed race|date=January 2016}} descendants of the first European settlers.

The main language is Rodriguan Creole, but English and French are most used as the languages of government administration, the courts and business.{{cite web |url=http://www.govmu.org/portal/site/Mainhomepage/menuitem.a42b24128104d9845dabddd154508a0c/?content_id=e7d393c5f2598010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD |publisher=Government of Mauritius |title=General Information about Rodrigues |access-date=10 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Rodriguan Creole is very similar to Mauritian Creole, though some words are pronounced differently. People born in Rodrigues island are called Rodriguans.

The education system in Rodrigues is similar to that throughout the rest of Mauritius. The government provides free education to students up to the tertiary level.

Education is taught mainly in English.

Rodrigues is served by Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport in Plane Corail, with regular flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance.

File:Rodrigues Cattle August 2015.jpg

The economy of Rodrigues is mostly dependent on Mauritius. The main sources of income and economic activity are tourism, fishing, agriculture (especially of onions, garlic and chilli), and animal rearing. The handicraft industry has proven to be beneficial to the economy of the island. However, the income derived from the export of sea products, cattle, and food crops is smaller than the costs of imported products, creating a deficit.

It has a special relationship with English-speaking countries, such as England in the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland.{{cite web |url=http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/mauritius/economy |title=Mauritius : Economy – The Commonwealth |website=thecommonwealth.org |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810034248/https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/mauritius/economy |url-status=dead }}

There was also the development of the tourist sector with the construction of the airport and opening of hotels and guest houses

As of 2020, Gross National Income per capita was approximately $16,400.{{cite web |title=Gross National Income per Capita (in 1000 US$ 2011 PPP) – Area Database |url=https://globaldatalab.org/areadata/gnic/MUS/ |website=Global Data Lab |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307184728/https://globaldatalab.org/areadata/gnic/MUS/ |url-status=dead }}

Cultural awakening which occurred at the end of the 1970s allowed the construction and consolidation of the cultural identity of Rodrigues through the development of these various elements, which form the base of the culture of every nation: food, music, and crafts

The traditional music of the island is known as Sega Tambour. The music has an accentuated beat, usually accompanied by an accordion, clapping and the use of improvised percussion instruments like bamboo. The folk dance music is similar to polkas, quadrilles, waltzes and Scottish reels.{{Cite web |title= Sega tambour of Rodrigues Island |url=http://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sega-tambour-of-rodrigues-island-01257 |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Intangible Heritage Home – UNESCO |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009130016/https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sega-tambour-of-rodrigues-island-01257 |url-status=live }}

Rodrigues cuisine consists of dishes from local products: fruit, vegetables, seafood (fish, octopus, crab, shrimp, lobster) and meat. National dishes include sausages with kreolinės, rougaille sauce, octopus with curry, kono-kono (a shellfish) salad and Rodrigues cake.

The most common sport in Rodrigues is association football. There are local competitions almost throughout the year and in specific competitions, the winning team travels to Mauritius for sport exchange. Volleyball is also popular. There is also a public swimming pool at Marechal, a village located in the center of the island, and a stadium at Camp Du Rois in the region of Port Mathurin.

File:Admiral nevelskoi yacht.jpg

In 2010, plans were developed by Bernard Eric Typhis Degtyarenko for a private museum on the island, centred on the restoration of the yacht Admiral Nevelskoi. The hull of the yacht, belonging to the Maritime State University in Vladivostok, Russia, had been found drifting off Rodrigues in 1997 and brought ashore.{{cite book |last1=Heikell |first1=Rod |title=Indian Ocean Cruising Guide |date=2019 |publisher=Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson |location=St Ives, Cambridgeshire |isbn=9781846238895 |page=237 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vheQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA237 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301003325/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vheQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&f=false |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Typhis-Degtyarenko |first1=Bernard Eric |title=About |url=https://ceo6.wixsite.com/nevelskoi/about |website=Admiral Nevelskoi Maritime Museum Project |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301013351/https://ceo6.wixsite.com/nevelskoi/about |archive-date=1 March 2023}}

Since 2014, Rodrigues Island has been proactive in environmental conservation, banning plastic bags to safeguard its marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Building on this success and with positive reception from the community, the island extended its eco-friendly measures by prohibiting single-use polystyrene food containers four years later, garnering global acclaim. These efforts complement various initiatives dedicated to preserving the island's unique ecosystem.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=How is Rodrigues becoming more sustainable? |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/02/how-is-rodrigues-becoming-more-sustainable |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205090506/https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/02/how-is-rodrigues-becoming-more-sustainable |url-status=live }}

Crucial among these initiatives is the establishment of reserves, notably the Grande Montagne Nature Reserve at the island's center, harboring indigenous fauna and flora. The reserve is vital for monitoring endemic plants such as the 'café maron' and 'bois blan,' as well as unique bird species like the Rodriguan Warbler and Rodriguan Fody.

On the western part of Rodrigues, the Francois Leguat Giant Tortoises Reserve and Cave contribute to the rehabilitation of tortoises, including the riadata and Aldabra species. Since 2006, the reserve has been a stalwart in tortoise conservation, now housing over 5,000 tortoises within its 20 hectares. The reserve features a unique landscape of limestone formations, including nine fascinating caves and dolines. One highlight is the remarkable Grande Caverne, outfitted with raised walkways, steps, and eco-friendly lighting. It stands out as the only electrified "Show Cave" in the Southwest Indian Ocean, designed to international standards with the expertise of an Australian cave consultant.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Travel Guides Genius |date=2024-11-14 |title=The Top 11 Best Things To Do in Rodrigues Island, Mauritius |url=https://www.travelguidesgenius.com/travel-guides/the-top-best-things-to-do-in-rodrigues-island-mauritius/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Travel Guides Genius |language=en-US}}

'Ile aux Cocos,' another reserve, serves as a protected habitat for seabirds. Through guided tours, visitors gain insights into the destination's preservation efforts. Additionally, a sponsorship campaign for reptiles is available at the reserve.

Even during the challenging times of the COVID-19 crisis, the island exhibited resilience. The local government, along with tourism sector workers, contributed to environmental protection. From cleaning hiking paths to restoring islets, these collective efforts upheld Rodrigues' commitment to conservation.

Tourists played a pivotal role through the Tourism Livelihood Scheme, providing immediate positive impacts. Continuing its ecological journey, Rodrigues Island aims to launch the 'One Tree, One Tourist, and One Child' project in 2023. This visionary initiative entails planting a tree for every traveler, nurtured by local children. Serving as a model for active involvement in environmental protection, this project fosters an enduring ecological mindset among both tourists and locals, ensuring the ongoing conservation of Rodrigues' unique environment for generations to come.

• Marie Christiane Agathe, politician

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