by Muazzam Khursheed

Located in the Indian Ocean, The Maldives is an archipelagic country consisting of 26 atolls with a total area of just 300 sq km,  located approximately 750 kilometres from the mainland of Asia, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. 

Strategically located, the archipelagic country is known across the globe for its tourism and enthralling sea-facing resorts. As per a report published in April this year, the country “aims to receive a total of 1.9 million tourists by the year’s end.”

Marine Ecosystem

Situated at the centre of the ocean, the nation hosts a wide range of species. A 2010 report published by the Ministry of Housing and Environment, Maldives stated that the country is home to a wide variety of different habitats in its surroundings, ranging from deep sea, shallow coast and reef ecosystems to mangroves, dry land and wetlands. The report stated:

• 187 species of coral forming coral reefs
• 1100 species of fish
• 21 species of whales and dolphins
• More than 145 species of crabs 

Tourism Sector

Initially dependent on fishing, the country experienced a boom in tourism in 1972, following which the industry became the main source of income. The tourism sector also stood as the country’s biggest foreign currency earner and the single largest contributor to the GDP. It continues to provide jobs to around 25,000 individuals.

Over the years, the country has solidified its position as a major tourist destination for travellers from around the world, with tourist arrivals exceeding the previous year. TheMinistry of Tourism in its latest weekly statistics reported a 12.3% increase in tourist arrivals than the figure recorded in the same period last year, hitting its one millionth tourist arrival of the ongoing year on July 16 itself. 

Battle for Existence – Climate Change

With rising global temperatures and climate change beginning to show profound impacts on the globe, the archipelagic nation looks towards a scary future. Amongst the numerous effects of climate change, rising sea levels stand out as the most critical challenge for the Maldives, as rising water levels could in the coming years threaten its very existence.In the last 30 years, sea levels have risen by around 10 cm globally. This surge has witnessed a notable acceleration, transitioning from an average increase of 1.5 mm per year for the majority of the 20th century to a dreadful 3.9 mm per year currently. The rise of sea level has been predicted everywhere across the globe, but in the Maldives, where the highest spots are barely over two meters above sea level, every centimetre matters.

A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that by 2100, the sea level might rise by as much as 1.1 meters, and with more than 80% of the Maldives located just less than one meter above sea level, the very survival of the archipelagic nation seems to be at risk, and if adequate measures aren’t put in place, the nation could be submerged under the sea.

The sea level rise is a major challenge facing Mohamed Muizzu, who was sworn in as the new President of the Maldives on 17 November 2023. “The country will withstand the waves by constructing larger islands and pursuing major land reclamation projects,” the new president has said. However, environmental organizations have cautioned that this would potentially increase the risk of floods in the low-lying nation.

In what now appears to be a battle of ideas, former president Mohamed Nasheed, when he took office 15 years ago, warned the people that they would become the first “environmental refugees” in history to require transfer abroad. He had even gone a step further and expressed his wish for the citizens of the Maldives to begin setting aside money to purchase land in Australia or one of the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka or India. However, the new President Muizzu has stated that the people will not be fleeing their country as he’s seeking over €500 million in external funds to preserve sensitive beaches.

Fighting the effects of climate change and rising sea levels that directly threaten its survival is a huge task for the nation. In order to resolve the concerns, the government has been consistently taking the initiative to implement sustainable policies, in addition to advocating for climate action on a global scale. However, it’s essential to realize that international collaboration, such as the “Loss & Damages Fund” announced at the CoP 27 of the United Nations Climate Conference last year, is the key needed to resolve the urgency of the issue faced by the Maldives and other similarly susceptible places. 

The situation serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for a coordinated, group effort to tackle climate change and protect the future of nations that are particularly sensitive to environmental issues. 

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The author is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration and has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. The views expressed are personal.

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