The Maldives has a tropical climate, which is warm and humid. The monsoon rains dominate the weather and the country receives an annual rainfall amounting to 1,948 mm.
The 26 geographical atolls in the Maldives are grouped into 20 administrative regions, with the capital Male forming the 21 st administrative unit. Only 200 islands are inhabited and 87 have been developed as tourist resorts. The population of the Maldives is not equally dispersed, and over 25% of the population lives in Male alone, and nearly half of the inhibited islands have population densities over 2,000 persons/sq. km.
Fishing and tourism are the two main industries in Maldives . Tourism was introduced to Maldives in 1972 and after two decades contributes over 17% of the GDP and generates 70% of all foreign currency earning. Tuna fishing is the second largest industry in the Maldives and the main composition of fish catch is Skipjack tuna ( Katsuwonus pleamis ) representing 50-70% of the total fish landing. Due to prevailing poor soil conditions, the share of agriculture to the nations GDP was about 6.8% in 1998 and the most widely grown agricultural product is coconut. Although, industrial development in the country is still in its infancy, garment production and fish canning for exports production are thriving.
Population and Development Trends:
Source:
UNDP Human Development Report,
2007/2008
Major Environmental Problems
Depleting
water quality and quantity:
The hydrology of the country poses particular difficulties with access to drinking water due to changing volumes of the very shallow freshwater aquifers. Surface freshwater is generally lacking throughout the archipelago with the exception of a few swarmy areas and shallow freshwater lagoons uncounted in several islands of the southern atoll. Increased extraction, exceeding the natural recharge has dramatically depleted the freshwater lens in the populated islands and poor sewage disposal has resulted in contamination of the ground water.
Beach
erosion
The shapes of the islands of the archipelago are characterized by strong tidal and current patterns and therefore the beach systems found in these islands are highly dynamic with the prevailing weather conditions. This natural process was not threatening when there were no human developments. Coral mining and haphazard human developments along the coastline together with changing weather patterns has increased both erosion risk to life and property. An estimated 50% of all inhabited islands and 45% of the tourist resorts at present suffer from varying degree of coastal erosion.
Loss
of Marine Biodiversity
In contrast to the poor terrestrial biodiversity found in the country, the marine biological diversity shows an outstanding richness, which is amongst the richest in the region. The greatest threat to the biodiversity of the country results from population growth, which has accelerated housing construction, leading to increased coral mining. Over fishing, impacts of climate change such as coral bleaching, introduction of non-indigenous species and pollution have been identified as other significant causes of loss of the biological diversity of the country.
Global
warming and sea level rise
In Maldives , over 80% of the land is less than 1m above mean sea level and therefore, global warming and the associated sea level rise represents a catastrophe for its survival. The economic well being of the country may be adversely affected by this phenomenon due to possible impacts on tuna fishery and tourism. Another concern of the Maldives due to climate change is the decrease of ground water availability due to salt water intrusion.
Transboundary
air pollution
In Maldives , over 80% of the land is less than 1m above mean sea level and therefore, global warming and the associated sea level rise represents a catastrophe for its survival. The economic well being of the country may be adversely affected by this phenomenon due to possible impacts on tuna fishery and tourism. Another concern of the Maldives due to climate change is the decrease of ground water availability due to salt water intrusion.
Others: Waste Management, Coastal flooding and storm surges
Chronology
of Major Events leading to Environment Protection & Sustainable
Development, during the last two decades. |
1984 |
The environment
sector was formally recognized as an entity within the
Government with the creation of and Environmental Affairs
Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Social Services.
|
1988 |
Environment was given an elevated
status by forming the Ministry of Planning and Environment |
1989 |
Appointment of the National
Commission for the Protection of the Environment (NCPE)
by the president, to advise the minister in charge of environment |
1990 |
Development of the first National
Environmental Action Plan with the assistance from UNEP,
which recommended a number of policy responses, including
the need for an environmental research capability and the
need for an environmental Impact Assessment system. |
1993 |
Formation of the Ministry of
Planning, Human Resources and Environment.
Development of the Environment Protection and Preservation Act, which
sets the stage for regulations and policies related to protected areas,
environment impact assessment and to some extent waste disposal. |
1997 |
Development
of the Fifth National Development Plan, with includes for
specific objectives to guide environmental management.
Development of the 2 nd National Environmental Action Plan
accordance with the 5 th NDP |
Other Important Legislations in relation to environment protection
- Law No. 33/78: Prohibit disposal of waste into Northern harbour
of Male
- Law No 34/78: On mining, aggregate from Male coastal zone
- Law No 55/78: Prohibit extraction of soil and coral from
Male
- Law No 15/79: Tourism
- Law No 31/79: Imports and Exports
- Law No 5/87: Maldives Fisheries Law
