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Bluepeace
calls to declare protected islands as natural reserves and for
the protection of coastal vegetation and coral reefs
As
Maldives expands its economic activities across the country, a
number of uninhabited islands are being used for industrial purposes.
Such use of uninhabited islands for tourism and other industrial
activities are causing considerable changes to the island biodiversity
and its ecosystems.
It
is imperative to declare protected islands as natural reserves
for the benefit of the present and future generations. The islands'
ecosystems and native biodiversity has to be protected, preserved
and monitored as our natural heritage.
There
are instances where islands with rich biodiversity and ecological
significance are also selected for industrial activities such
as tourism. The use of such islands for industrial purposes causes
negative environmental impacts on the islands and loss of rich
natural biodiversity for the country. Such a classic example is
Hudhufushi Island of Lhaviyani Atoll, selected for development
as a tourist resort. Hudhufushi is one of the richest islands
in marine biodiversity among atoll nations.
During
the selection process of islands for industrial purposes such
as tourism, islands with ecosystems vital for the livelihood of
the people in an atoll, such as bait breeding grounds, are also
selected. This happens because there is limited consultation with
people from the atoll during the selection process.
At
a time when increasing number of uninhabited islands are being
selected for industrial purposes such as tourism, it is important
that the islands are assessed for their significance on the environment
of the Maldives. It is also essential that the people of atolls
are more widely consulted in the selection process.
A
UNEP report's findings indicate that in areas where coastal vegetation
and coral reefs were intact, it played a major role in reducing
the destruction of the tsunami of 2004. Coastal vegetation and
coral reefs act as protective shields against erosion and natural
disasters such as tsunamis. Bluepeace strongly believes it is
high time for creating further awareness among island communities
on the importance of coastal vegetation and coral reefs; and to
setup regulatory mechanisms for protection and preservation of
coastal vegetation.
Bluepeace
is the first environmental NGO formed in the Maldives. Since our
inception on 11 September 1989, we are active in creating awareness
and advocating major environmental issues in the Maldives and
globally.
For
more information, please contact Mr Ali Rilwan, Executive Director,
+ 960 771 2378 BLUEPEACE, M. Roma, Gadhakoalhi Magu, Male', Maldives
email: info@bluepeacemaldives.org,
bluepeacemaldives@hotmail.com
website: www.bluepeacemaldives.org
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