PROTECTING the mangroves of the maldives
ABDULLA ADAM ON THE IRONIES OF CUTTING DOWN LAND-BUILDING MANGROVES TO RECLAIM LAND FOR AN AIRPORT IN THE MALDIVES, AND HIS CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT THE TROPICAL FORESTS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHIPELAGO NATION
As Parley launches a new program to restore the mangroves of Kulhudhuffishi island in the north of the Maldives, we speak to Abdulla Adam, a passionate environmentalist who undertook two Masters degrees in the United States before returning to his home island of Kulhudhuffishi to work with the city’s council in protecting the biodiversity of his home island. Here we hear his thoughts around why these saltwater-dwelling trees are of existential importance to the Maldives
Photo by Nishaman Ali
“There is a lot more to the islands than just the tropical palm trees you see on the postcards.”
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES IN FLORA BETWEEN ISLANDS IN THE MALDIVES?
There is a lot more to the islands than just the tropical palm trees you see on the postcards — there’s a huge diversity of tropical plants here from bushes to large trees. My passion are mangroves; they’re mostly found in the northern and southern Maldives where the islands are larger than in the central region. There are about 16 different species of mangroves, which is quite special. And then there are some hotspots, like the island Kaylakunu, where some preliminary scientific studies have found is home to some of the most unique and diverse flora found within the Maldives. Kalylakunu harbours the only area in the Maldives with features of a ‘true forest’; the island’s grey mangrove trees are also recorded to be globally significant given their size and their presence as a tropical forest.
WHY ARE MANGROVES SO IMPORTANT?
Mangroves act as barriers to coastal erosion for low-lying islands. Because they’re situated where the waves break, they offer a source of constant protection to islands. Mangroves have a very high tolerance to salt water, so they survive in the sea, and their roots hold the land together. Another thing mangroves do is act as a natural catchment for rainwater, and by doing so they replenish the ground water which lots of plants and people rely on. And also, last but not least, the carbon sequestering potential of mangroves is known to be four times higher in comparison with tropical forests.
HOW DO THEY ACT AS NURSERIES FOR YOUNG FISH?
Yes. Actually, there are different types of mangroves in the modular systems: some of these mangroves are linked to the lagoons and they are open to the sea, whereas others are more like inland ponds. When they’re linked to the lagoon you can see a huge area of marine diversity: stingrays, lemon sharks, crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps, as well as an array of reef fish. They act as a nursing ground for a whole lot of species. The intertwined above-ground root structures of mangroves provide safe nesting grounds from predators, making mangroves ideal nurseries for infant marine life.
“The carbon sequestering potential of mangroves is known to be four times higher in comparison with tropical forests.”
Photo by Nishaman Ali
ARE MANGROVES UNDER THREAT IN THE MALDIVES, OR ARE THEY PROTECTED?
Most of the mangroves under threat are found in inhabited islands — but hotels developments and other establishments do try to incorporate the mangroves within their plan, because mangroves are not only aesthetically beautiful, but there’s a huge business potential because of how they attract biodiversity. But on the residential islands, people do reclaim them because of the land scarcity — it’s easier to reclaim up the mangroves than to reclaim land from the open ocean — and for the same reason, they’re also sometimes treated as dumping grounds.
Shaahina: Actually, on Adam’s island, Kulhudhuffishi, we lost some mangroves to an airport. It was a very bad decision made by the government, and Parley is getting involved to start a restoration program, and Adam is also working on restoring the little bit left of the mangroves on Kulhudhuffishi.
ARE THERE MANY ACTIVE PROGRAMS TO RESTORE MANGROVES ACROSS THE MALDIVES?
There are programs here and there, and local people are slowly beginning to realize the value they bring. In the north, people have built some structures such as viewing platforms, overwater passes, jetties and cafes by the mangroves which support the mangrove, and have been starting trips out to them — domestic tourism as well.
Photo by Nishaman Ali
“Mangroves are not only aesthetically beautiful, but there’s a huge business potential because of how they attract biodiversity.”
THERE’S A CERTAIN IRONY THAT PEOPLE ARE CUTTING DOWN MANGROVES TO RECLAIM LAND, WHEN MANGROVES THEMSELVES ARE LAND BUILDERS — HOW DO MANGROVES CREATE LAND?
In the bay areas, like in Kulhudhuffishi before the reclamation for the airport happened, over time we see them accrue sand and they slowly grow outwards. The root structures also capture sediments and combat erosion to a large extent.
THEY CREATE LAND BY CATCHING SEDIMENT IN THEIR ROOTS — THIS MUST ALSO MAKE THEM VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO PLASTIC POLLUTION, AS ONCE A PLASTIC BAG GETS CAUGHT IN THEIR ROOTS IT MUST BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BECOME UNTANGLED, RIGHT?
Yes. I have multiple photos of this — I’ve been on various trips to the mangroves and I can’t bare the sight of it, so I often pull a lot of these plastic bags from the roots of the mangroves. All the blue - tinted bags just don’t belong; they are an eyesore in the mangrove root structures. You also see food packaging and plastic bottles caught up in these plants.