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Environment
Protecting
the Environment
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 Nationality. 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 Nationalitywide
and many trees are planted all over the
Nationality 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”.
