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Protecting our Environment | Independent
Maldives
 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.
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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". TOP^
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