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Protecting Our Environment
“Think globally, act locally”. White sandy beaches
sparkling in the sun alongside crystal clear lagoons would be an
idyllic place to spend a perfect holiday. While this is true in most
aspects, the degree of fragility of our environment is gaining much
attention within national and international levels. The fragile marine
and terrestrial environment including the reefs and bio-diversity
would be greatly affected unless careful management of the environment
is done. Our beauty and natural resources are strongly linked with
economic development of the country. Such awareness has raised many
concerns and the Government is taking extensive measures towards
protecting the environment.
In 1989 the first National Environmental Action Plan was developed
forming a base for future actions to prevent environmental hazards.
Over exploitation of natural resources are restricted. For example
coral mining is banned in certain areas. Killing of turtles, which is
under threat of extinction, is banned and visitors are discouraged
from buying objects made from turtle shell. The entire capital island
is enclosed with sea walls, a protection measure to reduce the
impending hazards of climatic change and sea level rise. Projects on
regeneration of ecosystems are conducted in some areas and a “Million
Tree Programme” was initiated by the President of Maldives, His
Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom in 1996. Small nurseries are
established in atolls to spread the programme countrywide and many
trees are planted all over the country in an effort to “greening the
environment”. Sport fishing practiced by some islands is now confined
to tag and release method.
Independent Maldives, Clean Maldives
In 1997 many activities were carried out under the theme “Independent
Maldives, Clean Maldives,” where cleaning and waste collecting
activities were carried out nation wide. The spirit still continues in
an effort to keep our environment clean. Many resort islands retain
the natural vegetation providing an environmentally sound atmosphere
in the island. While effective waste management would completely take
shape after few years, efforts are made to reduce risks of
environmental health problems. The concept of recycling is
progressively taking shape and composting is gradually introduced in
agriculture.
Maldives proudly hosted a ministerial level meeting, Small States
Conference on Sea Level Rise in 1989 calling for many actions
incorporated in the Male’ Declaration. Also, the Maldives participated
in the Second World Climatic Conference in 1990 and the Earth Summit
held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. In 1994 Maldives participated in the
Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States and in 1997 participated in the Kyoto Conference.
Also in 1997 the 13th Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change was
held in the Maldives. Apart from these conferences, the Government has
attended small preparatory meetings on environment. Maldives’ approach
to environmental issues as with many other small states, stays in
harmony with the concept “Think globally and act locally”. |
Information provided by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board,
Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Maldives.
