Desroches
Desroches is the largest island in the Amirantes (394 hectares) and the closest to the granitic islands, lying 230 kilometres southwest of Victoria. It is a sand cay on the western edge of a submerged atoll about 20 kilometres in diameter. The island is just over 5 kilometres long but only 330 metres wide at its narrowest point. A channel northwest of the island is about 1.6 kilometres wide and 18 metres deep, allowing even cruiseships to enter the calm waters of the lagoon, within which there is little variation in the depth at around 25 metres. It was named in the late 18th century in honour of François Julien Desroches, administrator of Ile de France (now Mauritius). On English charts it was called Wood Island, because of the extensive native forest.
HistoryIn 1835 when the island was first settled, casuarina trees were planted, providing timber for construction and charcoal. In the 1880s, copra became the major source of income. By 1906 Desroches was producing 15-20,000 coconuts a month.
On English charts it was called Wood Island, because of the extensive native forest and in 1835 when the island was first settled, many casuarina trees were planted, creating a forest which provided timber, fuel and charcoal. A visitor in 1906 mentioned that the island was still exporting firewood. Pockets of this forest remain. The IDC village is situated on the north coast where there has been a settlement since the old days when Desroches was an important centre of agriculture in Seychelles. |
ConservationIsland Conservation Society has run a conservation centre on Desroches since 2007. House Sparrow, Barred Ground Dove, Madagascar Fody and Grey Francolin breed. All these land birds were introduced to Desroches. The long, encircling beach and beach-crest of Desroches are of national importance for both green turtles and hawksbills, particularly on the south and northeast coasts. The only known endemic of the Amirantes, a species of cockroach Delosia ornata, is found on Desroches.
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Economic ActivitiesTourism is now the main economic activity, but agricultural activities are still undertaken, mainly to supply the hotel. The first hotel was built in 1987. It has undergone extensive changes and eventually closed down for rebuilding work. Desroches hotel reopened on 1st March 2018. IDC operates a Guest House and also provides staff accommodation, a Conservation Centre and logistical support to Island Conservation Society.
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