BLUEPEACE blog

Six years ago, on 26 December 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami created havoc across the Maldives, coral reefs, coastal vegetation and mangroves played a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of the tsunami, reducing the force of the deadly waves. In the island of Kendhikulhudhoo in Noonu Atoll, mangroves formed in a depression of an islet, known locally as kulhi, absorbed much of the impact of the tsunami, saving the island from destruction of property and loss of human lives. However, the mangroves in Kendhikulhudhoo are now under threat as an illegal aquaculture project is being carried out to harvest an alien species of sea cucumber.

Mangroves in Kendhikulhudhoo absorbed the lethal impact of tsunami

Bluepeace first received the information about the illegal aquaculture project in early 2009 and raised concern with the relevant government authorities. The issue was also covered by Minivan News. A similar illegal aquaculture project being conducted in Maalhendhoo, an inhabited island located near Kendhikulhudhoo, was exposed by local photographer Ali Nishan (Millzero) on his blog.

We have received information from our sources in Kendhikulhudhoo that the illegal aquaculture project has reached an appalling stage with modification of the structure of the mangroves through extensive excavation. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed to Bluepeace that to this date no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been submitted to EPA for approval to conduct an aquaculture project in Kendhikulhudhoo or Maalhendhoo.

In 2007, Bluepeace published an article on its website stressing the importance of mangrove ecosystems in the Maldives, and the role they play in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. We also noted several mangroves were under threat while some mangroves were destroyed by reclamation for tourism, housing, agriculture and other commercial purposes.

Mangrove areas are highly productive ecosystems contributing to the food chains of atoll islands. They are also important to the atoll ecosystems, as they filter out silt, nutrients and sand that would otherwise go out to the house reef around the islands suffocating corals and encouraging algal growth.

Most of the native plants in the Maldives, including the plants that grow on the coastal vegetation belt around islands, are very salt tolerant. This was quite visible in the 2004 Asia’s tsunami disaster, most of the native plants survived leaving dead all the introduced and naturalized plants in tsunami-affected islands.

Mangroves with hanging long branches reaching into sand and below the surface of water absorb the shock of tsunamis. Behind mangrove trees is a second layer of taller native plants, which slow down the waves. Mangrove roots with aerial roots and salt-filtering tap roots not only provide support in uneven soils but hold up currents and storms.

Mangrove trees in Kendhikulhudhoo

Mangroves depressions or Kulhi, protect coastline from erosion and provide a breeding ground for crustaceans and fish. Milk fish is the common fish found in fresh water dominated mangroves swamps, on which the local population depends on as a staple food when the sea is rough and tuna and other pelagic fish are scare. Harvesting and managing of milk fish in the mangroves is done traditionally by the island community as whole.

In Kendhikulhudhoo, the mangroves have been traditionally regarded as a vital source of livelihood. In certain periods of the year, based on nakaiy – the traditional Maldivian calendar used for predicting weather – the community cuts an opening to the sea from the mangroves on rainy days, allowing saltwater to enter. Along with sea water, milk fish enters the mangroves. The opening to the sea is closed after a few days. The community feeds on the milk fish when the sea is rough or when tuna and other pelagic fish are scarce. In the past, milk fish was harvested for traditional feasts and ceremonies such as Maulood as well. After the tsunami, the people of Kendhikulhudhoo said it was a ‘safe island’ because the mangroves protected the island from the wrath of the destructive waves.

Mangrove in Kendhikulhudhoo: A unique ecosystem

Mangrove crabs that are found in mangrove swamps are a vital part of the mangrove ecology, influencing both nutrient cycling and forest structure by flow of water through crab holes. The rich mangrove ecosystems are now under threat in several islands of the Maldives through the illegal harvest of alien species of sea cucumber, posing a threat to other organisms that use the mangroves as a habitat. The illegal aquaculture projects are accompanied by modifications to the structure of mangroves through excavation or reclamation.

Mangrove crabs in Kendhikulhudhoo

In a report Vulnerability and Adaptation of Ecologically Sensitive Mangrove Habitats to the Changing Climate published by National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, India and authored by T. G. Jagtap, V. A. Kulkarni, X. N. Verlekar, the significance of atoll mangrove ecosystems is highlighted.

“Loss of mangroves and similar habitats aggravate the fury of natural calamities”, the authors have argued, and noted that reclamation of mangroves has resulted in severe erosion at a number of islands from Maldives.

“Irrespective of Sea Level Rise (IPCC, 2001) or sea level chop (Morner et al., 2003), Maldives islands are likely to be under severe threat of flooding due to constantly increasing human pressure. Conservation and restoration of various Ecologically Sensitive Marine Habitats would not only enhance the productivity but greatly benefit in mitigation adverse impacts of natural as well as human created hazards,” the report concludes.

After the tsunami, international aid agencies poured thousands of dollars for disaster preparedness programmes in the Maldives. The programmes, conducted in collaboration with government agencies, have not spared vital mangrove ecosystems – an essential protective shield against tsunamis, storm surges, tidal waves and climate change – from destruction.

Reference:

Adams, D., 1988. Plant life. In: Paul A. Webb. Maldives people and environment . Identification. Report No. RAS/79/123. Rome: FAO. 40p.

A. Nishan. 2010. Alien species cultivated in the Maalhendhoo mangroves. Millzero’s Blog.

Reliable sources have informed Bluepeace that the government of Maldives has decided to lease Dhigulaabadhoo, an island of ecological significance in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, to a private company for aquaculture. Our sources within the government confirm this decision was made in a Cabinet meeting held this week.

Dhigulaabadhoo is an island of ecological significance listed as a ‘sensitive island’ by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives. Although the island was not declared protected, the EPA had marked it as ‘sensitive’ because of the uniqueness of the island.

Dhigulaabadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll

Dhigulaabadhoo is located between the inhabited islands of Fares-Maathoda and Fiyoari in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. A channel separates the island from Fiyoari, believed to be the location of the best waves in the Maldives. Divers and surfers have noted the abundance of rich marine life near Dhigulaabadhoo and mentioned the sightings of whale sharks. A naturally formed bay adds to the richness and natural diversity of the island. The island also features mangrove vegetation.

Dhigulaabadhoo. Image from Google Earth

In October this year, the daily newspaper Haveeru broke the news that the government was planning to lease Dhigulaabadhoo to a private party for aquaculture. Haveeru’s report (in Dhivehi) quoted EPA’s Director Ibrahim Naeem as saying EPA had recommended preserving Dhigulaabadhoo because of the unique features of the island.

Haveeru reported the government was considering leasing Dhigulaabadhoo to Aqua Treasure Pvt Ltd, a company in which a senior member of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) holds shares.

Dhigulaabadhoo’s rich ecosystem features mangrove vegetation

Environmental groups and activists have raised deep concerns reacting to the news of the decision to lease Dhigulaabadhoo for an economic activity that could potentially harm the rich biodiversity and ecology of the island.

“SOS is deeply saddened and disappointed by the lack of commitment on environmental preservation by the government of the Maldives. If they decided to give the environmentally significant island of Dhigulaabadhoo to a private company for business purposes, SOS condemns this action and gravely reminds the government officials that they are currently packing their bags to go to Cancun, Mexico to participate in the COP16,” Local NGO Strength of Society (SOS) said.

Environmental activists are concerned this will create a precedent for other islands of ecological significance to be leased for commercial activities. In 2008, Bluepeace and other concerned parties protested against the leasing of Hanifaru, the uninhabited island located in the now-world-famous Hanifaru Bay, for commercial activities. The campaign resulted in the protection of Hanifaru Bay, a breeding ground for mantas and whale sharks.

Dhigulaabadhoo features a naturally formed bay

On World Environment Day in 2006 Bluepeace called for creation of nature reserves to offset the increasing environmental damage caused by rising industrial activities.

“The 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,” Bluepeace said.

Bluepeace had also cautioned about the leasing of islands of ecological significance for commercial purposes.

“There are instances where islands with rich biodiversity and ecological significance are 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. 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,” Bluepeace stressed in a press release issued on June 5, 2006.

In recent months, Bluepeace has observed increasing instances of the usage of places of ecological importance such as freshwater lakes and mangrove ecosystems for aquaculture. In several cases alien species such as alien sea cucumber have been introduced to the native ecosystems.

Dhigulaabadhoo. Image from Google Earth

EPA was not available for comment at the time of publishing this post. Mohamed Zuhair, the Press Secretary at President’s Office, was not aware of any decision to lease an island of ecological significance in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll for a commercial activity. He told Bluepeace that Dhigulaabadhoo was not marked on the map of Maldives being used by the President’s Office.