An open letter for saving the Environment of Maldives

Concerned about the continuation of irreversible, environmentally destructive and debt financed projects in Maldives during the current Covid-19 global public health crisis with consequent economic recession, Save Maldives Campaign wrote an open letter to the Speaker of the Parliament

For the attention of the:

Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Mr Mohamed Nasheed

The 19^th People’s Majlis under your leadership has established an Environment and Climate Change Committee due to rising concerns about the current and expected negative impacts of global climate change to the Maldives.  On 12 February 2020, the Majlis passed a resolution to declare a climate emergency in the country. However, to date we have not seen any action in connection with this declaration.

The current Covid-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented crisis affecting the country’s fragile healthcare system, weak social protection system and precarious economic system.  As such, we are in a time where a great deal of uncertainty exists about people’s short, medium, and long term financial stability and capacity to deal with basic needs.  In addition, on a daily basis news reports inform that we are not in a situation that can be overcome in the immediate future.

Therefore, it is deeply concerning that the Majlis is doing nothing to stop the major debt funded projects continuing across the country at great speed, that will cause irreversible environmental destruction,  while knowing about the fragility of the Maldives’ environment, knowing about the expected negative impacts of global climate change to the Maldives, and being able to assess the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy now, and in the future.

According to reports, the Kaafu Atoll Gulhifalhu reclamation project is being undertaken with a USD 300m loan.  It is evident from the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of this project that in addition to causing damage to certain diving sites which constitute the country’s natural assets, the project will have detrimental future impacts on small businesses connected to the tourism industry.  The project will completely destroy the Gulhifalhu ecosystem with incalculable damage to the environment.

Due to the unusual incidents of erosion experienced by many islands in the Maldives during this year’s Iruvai (North East) Monsoon, the Majlis held an extraordinary emergency meeting and publicised its concern about these developments.  Notably, the aforementioned resolution declaring a climate emergency is the result of these experiences.  The Hulhangu (South West) Monsoon which is happening now is causing storm damage in various parts of the country affecting people’s homes and farmers’ fields.  These impacts are destroying the narrow avenues of income generation available at the moment putting further financial strains on an already debt burdened and weakened economy.

Considering the fact that our reef ecosystems are the natural foundations and defence systems of this country, and the biodiversity of these systems form the basis of our economy, it is beyond reason, and inconsiderate of the public interest and people’s security that the complete annihilation of such systems should constitute the State’s development plan. 

According to the State of the Environment Report (2016), 98% of the country’s exports depend on its natural resources and biodiversity while 71% employment depends on the same. 

Yourself, and the Majlis will be well aware that when the natural systems on which the lives of the people of Maldives depend are irreversibly destroyed, this will increase the damage from global climate change to the Maldives in the future. In addition to that loss and damage, future generations will be left to deal with the burden of massive debts. Therefore, in order to prevent further weakening of the country’s environment and its economy, we believe it is a responsibility of the Majlis to respond to our changed circumstances and stop all environmentally destructive projects like Gulhifalhu and hold the government accountable.  At this critical moment, we call on the Majlis to take leadership and uphold its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of present and future generations.

• Environment and Climate Change Committee, People’s Majlis
• Economic and Environment and Climate Change Joint-Committee, People’s Majlis
• Economic Committee, People’s Majlis
• Social Committee, People’s Majlis
• National Development and Heritage Committee, People’s Majlis
• Human Rights and Gender Committee, People’s Majlis
• National Security and Foreign Relations Committee, People’s Majlis
• Decentralisation Committee, People’s Majlis