BRITO, Karen Daryl L.

May 3, 2019

BUELLA, Ralph Gabriel D. 4 Political Science 1

POLICARPIO, Katherine S.

VELASCO, Austine Clarese B.

A CASE STUDY OF MALDIVES: FROM PARADISE TO RUBBISH ISLAND

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Republic of Maldives, an archipelagic developing country that is strategically

situated in South Asia, is composed of a group of atolls located in the Indian Ocean
amounting to 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 islands with 21 administrative atolls
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India and about 1,000
kilometers from the Asian continent. Its etymology is primarily derived after the main and
capital island of Male where it means the “islands of Male.” Alternatively, some
archaeologists argue that the name may be derived from the Sanskrit word maladvipa
that means “garland of islands” (CIA, 2019). Furthermore, it is well-known for being the
smallest Asian country by land area and population making it the 210th country in terms
of size concurrently one of the world’s most geographically dispersed sovereign states
for it comprises a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometers. In July 2018, it is a
home of more than 392,473 inhabitants and about a third of the entire population of the
country lives in the centrally located capital city of Male where it provides a good
opportunity for the Maldivians (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). Resulting from historical
and drastic changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes, it is a country that
caters to different and diverse ethnic groups namely Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab,
Australasian, and African where its state religion is Sunni Muslim. Its capital city, Male,
has an estimate of at least 177,000 occupants for it is seen that urban areas in the country
entail job opportunities and better life for Maldivians (CIA, 2019). Altogether, it can be
seen that Maldives in the contemporary times is most vulnerable brought about by the
rapid technological advancement occurrences, as a small and developing country, it
needs to counter all the environmental problems that they are facing today because they
might lose their home in the decades to come.

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 With an average ground-level elevation of only 1.5 meters or 4 feet 11 inches
above sea level, it is considered to be the world’s lowest country thus susceptible to global
warming especially climate change (Brown, Turner, Hameed & Bateman, 1997). Due to
the consequent risks posed by rising sea levels due to climate change, the Maldivian
government pledged in 2009 to make the country a more carbon-neutral country. It is a
country that is disaster prone to tsunamis because of its low elevation of islands that make
it susceptible to the rapid sea level rise due to the ongoing global climate change
(Karthikheyan, 2010). In the contemporary times, the environmental issues faced by the
country are depletion of freshwater aquifers that threatens their livelihoods, water supplies,
inadequate sewage treatment, coral reef bleaching, and land submerging (CIA, 2019).
Generally speaking, it is noteworthy to realize that Maldives, a small country in South Asia,
is one of the countries that will be heavily stricken by the rapid climate change prompted
by the industrial revolution that started in the 18 th century up until the modern times.

The Republic of Maldives is at present considered to be a developing country, and

it has quickly become a middle-income country driven by the rapid growth of its tourism
and fisheries sector. Nevertheless, amidst these progress and development, it is still
having a hard time in countering the large and growing fiscal deficit because it is
considered to be an impoverished country (Becken, Hay & Espiner, 2011). Infrastructure
projects that are largely funded by China could add significantly to the increasing debt
levels of the country especially when it comes to the former’s policy of debt trap. Coupled
with the political turmoil that is happening in the country ever since the start of 2018 has
affected the overall impact of tourism revenue because several countries have issued
travel warning whose citizens visit Maldives in significant number. To counter the
problems plaguing the country, in 2015, the Maldives’ Parliaments passed a constitutional
amendment allowing foreign ownership of land while having provisions such as foreign
land-buyers must reclaim at least 70% of the desired land from the ocean at the same
time invest at least $1 billion in a construction project approved by Parliament (CIA, 2019).
One can infer that although the Maldivian Government tries in its utmost capacity to
lessen the socio-political, economic, even environmental problems persisting in the
country, if this is not addressed as soon as possible it might have detrimental effects in
the long run when it is not properly at the same time constantly regulated and checked.

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 Maldives is a country that is highly dependent from fossil fuels to generate
electricity amounting to a total of 96% and only 4% from other renewable sources (CIA,
2019). Because of this and the fact that Maldives will submerge in the next two decades
consistent with a study conducted by Karthikheyan (2010), it has signed international
agreements with regard to countering environmental issues like biodiversity, climate
change-Kyoto Protocol, desertification, hazardous wastes, law of the sea, ozone layer
protection, and ship pollution. All of these international agreements are dedicated to the
preservation and conservation of the island for the posterities to come and to enjoy.
Furthermore, Mr. Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough, the World Bank County Director for Sri
Lanka and Maldives, highly praised the current Maldivian President, Ibrahim Mohamed
Solih, in his ardent commitment to make solid waste management in his utmost priority
during his administration. He further added that with the expanding and developing
tourism entails increased consumerism and increased use of plastic bottles which is a
threat to the pristine environment that the Maldives are known for all over the world (World
Bank Group, 2017). It can be seen from the aforementioned that the leader of the country
sees the prime importance of waste management vis-à-vis the environmental issues
plaguing the world today because he knows for a fact that Maldives will be one of the
most affected countries when this phenomenon takes place thus his foresight can help
save the country in the posterities to come.

In improving their solid waste management, they have contacted different key
stakeholders that can uplift their status quo. Most especially, they have talked to the World
Bank where the latter approved a $17.5 million budget in financing Maldives’ solid waste
management. According to a study conducted by Agamuthu & Herat (2014), Maldives
generates about 365,000 tons of solid waste annually thus making the management of
solid waste a pressing environmental issue in this popular tourist destination. Thus, it is
important that the country seeks donors from the international community like other
nation-states and other international non-governmental organizations all over the globe
to manage their waste in a more sustainable manner. Because it can be seen from the
above-mentioned that it is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to global climate
change that is happening in the contemporary times.

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CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM

Tourism in Maldives has contributed much to its economic growth and stability in
the contemporary times. In fact, the tourism sector has allowed the country to rise from
the detriments brought by the global financial crisis in 2009 wherein Maldives was greatly
affected (World Bank, 2010). However, utilizing the tourism sector to regain and boost the
economy of the country led to unwanted environmental effects. The same sector that
revived Maldives’ economy, gradually killed the country’s environment. The issue on
waste in the area has been mainly attributed to tourist waste brought about by the tourists
themselves and the hotels and resorts that accommodate them. The Ministry of Tourism
(2015), assessed the solid waste management practices of Maldives wherein they found
out that the four main component of solid waste were food waste, garden/yard and paper
products, recyclables and residuals. Not counting other wastes garnered from other
industries, all of which are waste produced to sustain the tourism sector of the country. In
addition, with the constant building of establishments and hotels in the area, the place
acquired more residual wastes coming from the constructions of such (World Tourism
Organization and International Labour Organization, 2013).

Apart from the tourism sector, one of the causes of the waste issue in Maldives is
the lack of landfills and poor waste management practices. The area of the landfill they
have exceeds the amount of waste they accumulate hence, this led them to export their
junk to India (Ramesh, 2009). In the same research, more than 330 tons of waste is
brought to Thilafushi, the landfill, a day; most of which come from Malé, one of Maldives’
populated areas (Ramesh, 2009). It can be inferred that the people and government of
Maldives has to create a sustainable solution for the issue.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM

Although an ongoing issue, the government of Maldives has found ways on how
to slowly resolve the problem. They took measures and actions that allowed people to
reduce their waste production and improve their waste management in the household.
One of their practices is at least requiring each resort to conduct incineration, a complex
technical process that requires well-trained personnel for proper operation to avoid
worsening the environmental dilemmas of Maldives (Ministry of Tourism, 2015).

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Furthermore, non-governmental organizations also participated in rehabilitating the
environment of Maldives. An example is the Hoandedhoo Island Development Society
(HIDS), which conducted campaigns and meetings that promoted awareness on waste
management in the different households, and taught people on how to properly segregate
wastes (IUCN, 2018). Such projects gradually led to improvements in the area.
Consequently, the World Bank offered support to Maldives to improve their solid waste
management. The World Bank granted Maldives a $17.5 million fund to aid in the efficient
and more environmental-friendly manner of managing the waste in the area (World Bank,
2017). From such actions, it could be seen that to reach the success of a sustainable
living in Maldives and to preserve the beauty of its islands, a joint effort from all sectors –
private, public and NGOs – is necessary.

COUNTRIES THAT ARE GREATLY AFFECTED BY THE SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT IN MALDIVES

There are no other countries that are affected by the project or solid waste
management in Maldives primarily because it is an isolated island in the Indian Ocean;
however, this targeted and focused itself to the monitoring and improvement of the local
communities, atolls and islands who are experiencing massive waste dispositions. Since
the country is composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, waste from the ocean are being washed
up in the shores which resulted to the build-up of waste. This condition was not anticipated
by the local administrative divisions, hence, it resulted to uncontrollable waste
management that already needs the intervention and the assistance of their government.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OR INSTITUTIONS THAT SUPPORT THE

IMPROVEMENT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OF MALDIVES

International organizations are widely believed as responsible for the preservation

of international stability and peace (Bayeh, 2014). This range of concern can be political,
economic, social, environmental or other fields that are aligned in the interest of the
international community. Several Non-Governmental Organization, International Non-
Governmental Organization, International Governmental Organization and other groups
continuously uphold their missions in assisting various states that are experiencing
domestic concerns, especially societal issues, that can greatly affect the international

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arena in the long run if it continues to exist. These groups for financial purposes assist
nation-states like there are multilateral development banks that support states in their
objectives of advancing their resources for a quality service to its nations. These
development banks are mostly created by group of countries that offers and provides
professional and financing advise for the purpose of growth and development.

A good manifestation of this is the assistance of various international organizations

and most importantly, international financial institutions intervening to the improvement of
the solid waste management in Maldives. These organizations are United Nations
Development Program (UNDP), World Bank and Asian Development Bank. These three
huge organizations funded the systematic and improved Solid Waste Management of
Maldives through the lend monetary aid, suggested plans and support to the government.
To further elaborate, it is important to determine their contribution in the betterment of
Male’s environment. Aside from securing a fund for the development plan of Maldives’
SWM, the United Nations Development Program did not fail to conduct activities and
workshops to the different atolls and islands of Maldives. Immediately starting the
development of the solid management project in August 25, 2015, the organization gather
the NGO of the island, namely Hoadedhoo Island Development Society (HIDS), Nadella
Island Development Society (NIDS) and the Council, they already produced Mangroves
for the Future (MFF) Small Grant Projects whereas local actors collaborated to find a long
term solution in addressing the issue of waste in the local (Naahee, 2015). This grants
act as instrument to operationalize and introduce the process of waste governance. This
was then followed by an event with an objective of educating and involving the community
members on reef conservation, reducing marine pollution, and determining ecosystem
imbalances such as the Crown of Thorns outbreaks and the result of climate change
(Save the Beach Maldives, 2017).

Another financial institution is the World Bank. In June 23, 2017, it approved $17.5
million to finance the improvement of solid waste management in the selected areas of
Maldives (World Bank, 2017). This aims for a more efficient and environment-friendly way
of managing the waste in order to maintain the position of Maldives as the premier tourist
destination. The new branded Maldives Clean Environment Project is grounded on

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experience from the Bank financing the past Maldives Environmental Management
Project that closed in the middle month of 2016. Even though the past project closes, the
bank still chooses to continue its support to the drive of the government to attain the
proper management of waste in order to have sustainability.

The financial institution that contributed mostly to the improvement of the solid
waste management is the Asian Development Bank. The project originally started in 2013
when the President calls for the improvement of the SWM of the country. The National
Solid Waste Management Policy highlighted the principles in terms of environmental
quality that needs to be improve. The Waste Management and Pollution Control
Department in the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE) was instructed to guarantee
safe waste disposal on all populated islands (Asian Development Bank, 2018). The MEE
works thoroughly with development associated to develop its regional waste management
systems and designated the Asian Development Bank to cover the project area because
of its experience on the banking industry and the project’s link to ADB’s Technical
Assistance for formulating a developmental strategy for Greater Malé. The organization
took a big role in the project whereas it is tasked to use a phased approach to align in the
implementation capacity, to involve a technical capacity building for procurement,
safeguards, contract management and operation and maintenance, and lastly, to
incorporate climate change-resilient measures and disaster risk reduction in the project
design.

MOST AFFECTED SECTORS IN THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OF MALDIVES

Maldives is a country located in South Asia that is known for its mesmerizing
sceneries, a paradise as most people would describe it. The fresh nature, crystal clear
and blue waters, it is indeed a country that relies on tourism. All of these positive factors
are starting to deplete due to the huge problem on waste management. The tourism and
economy are two huge sectors that are greatly affected by this problem. Hassan and
Peterson (2016) stated that tourism is the dominant sector in terms of Maldivian economy,
contributing over 30% to the Gross Domestic Product, and 60% of foreign exchange
receipts. Appropriate solid waste management is a significant component in maintaining,
and extending, the travel industry's role in the economy. Moreover, Kundur (2012) stated

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that the tourism in Maldives serve as an important role in earning foreign exchange
revenues and in engendering the tertiary sector of the country. Maldives as an
archipelagic country is the main source of attraction to several tourists visiting the country.
In the year 1972, tourism began to flourish starting off with only two resorts and as it
continued to develop, in the present it has more than 80 resorts situated in the different
atolls constituting the Republic of Maldives.

According to Khaleel and Saeed (1996) the lifestyle of the Maldivians in the past
rests on simplicity and had almost neglible impact on the environment. However, with the
recent socio-economic developments and the increase of population, this has yielded to
a marked deterioration in the environment. Maldives has a delicate and fragile ecosystem,
vulnerable to the threat of global warming and increase of sea level, these alarming issues
calls for the need for environmental management in Maldives. As the issue on waste
began to increase in a fast phase in Maldives, the government made a plan to turn an
island into a dump sight where in loads of trash are being placed and burn in a slow
manner. This particular island is called the Thilafushi island, one of the 1192 coral islands
that make up the Maldives, it used to have a breathtaking beauty. However, it was turned
into a dumping ground for the island country's waste. Located seven kilometers toward
the west of capital Malé, Thilafushi was initially a lagoon with shallow coral reefs until
1992 when the Maldivian government chose a reclamation project that would serve to
determine Maldives' earnest waste management issue. Thilafushi wound up referred to
by local people as the Rubbish Island, with ships bringing 330 tons of refuse daily where,
after insignificant filtering and partition by migrant workers, most of it is covered at landfill
destinations.

As tourism countinues to expand there is a tendency of an increase in

consumerism and increase in the use of plastic bottles which will have a high chance of
threatening the pristine environment Maldives possesses. Garrido (2014) stated that
tourists produce twice as much waste per individual as occupants of the islands' country
capital city of Male with an expected 3.5 kg (more than 7 pounds) every day and around
multiple times the waste created by islanders on the other 200 populated islands of the
Maldives. Despite this, the government of the Republic of Maldives created various

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projects in order to solve this waste management issue. One of which is the Maldives
Clean project. The World Bank Board of Directors affirmed $17.5 million in financing to
help improve solid waste management in specific regions in Maldives. This project will
enable Maldives to deal with its waste in an increasingly productive and naturally inviting
way, which is critical in keeping up Maldives' status as a premier tourist destination.

CONCLUSION

As a final note, it is important to remember that the collaborative action and effort
of the following can really make a significant change when it comes to Maldives’ waste
management namely the Maldivian Government, the Civil Society, the non-governmental
organizations, and the international community. It necessitates the government to
propose public policies that will immediately address the solid waste management fiasco
that is currently happening in Maldives. Although it is considered to be one of the most
sought tourist destinations in the world, it must be remembered that humanity should act
now in order to preserve a wonderful country and for future generations to see its majestic
view because global climate change is already here and it is already happening.
Accordingly, citizens of the country can help solve this problem by starting from their own
houses a more sustainable solid waste management in order to aid the government. On
the other hand, financial Institutions have played a big role in supporting various countries
especially third world and underdeveloped countries that seek assistance in attaining
growth and development. A case in point is Maldives wherein it not only provides the
necessary funds, but also helps in sustaining the projects that are geared to address the
problem, starting from the planning to the implementation and until achieving its goals.

The interrelationship of economic growth and development has been one of the
defining features of Maldives among South Asian countries, however this feature has also
been detrimental in preserving what Maldives takes pride for - their paradise islands. To
conclude, the application of sustainable waste management principles especially in Small
Island Developing Countries is indispensable because it has direct impacts on the state
of the environment, well-being of humans, and ultimately the economy of a country. The
government, with the help of NGOs, and the civil society, must start balancing the
principles of economy and ecology to ensure a sustainable lifestyle in their land.

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