Help me make a change!

In the last decade, the constantly rising sea level has been an obstacle for the Maldivian nation as its islands are slowly being washed away. This fact is a major concern for all those living on the habitable islands. In 2004, along with many other nations in the Indian Ocean, nearly half of the habitable islands were devastated by a Tsunami. Today the people still discuss how imperative it is to protect their land. The government has encouraged locals to infuse the beaches with mangroves which, in the case of another Tsunami, will take the shock off the quake and lessen the impact on the island.

Another major concern for the Maldivian people is the destruction of the reefs surrounding their islands. Much of the damage is due to the fishing industry as major companies come to build new harbours for the passage of large ships. I as a volunteer will be able to get first-hand experience at recreating the coral reefs.

If you have a look online you will read about beautiful resorts, crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and incredible snorkelling opportunities. One major point that you won’t see in those highlights is that increasing tourism is negatively impacting the management of waste. There are islands in the Maldives specifically used to hold rubbish. This rubbish is then burned, which causes horrible effects to the atmosphere and surrounding environment. As you spend time on the islands you will see that rubbish floods the beaches and the problem needs mass attention. Beach cleaning will take place on multiple occasions to ensure the coast is safe for the sea life that I as a volunteer will be spending much of my time trying to reclaim.