Reckless Development Worsens Maldives’ Environmental Crisis

Expand Flooded streets in Haadhaal Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives on December 1, 2019. © 2019 Adam Isham To most of the world, the Maldives are a tempting tourist destination, with over 1,192 islands of coral reefs and pristine beaches. But the Maldivian government has long ignored its own environmental regulations and the needs of communities in developing these precarious, low-lying islands. Foreigners generally only see the luxury resorts, not the islands where most Maldivians live. During a torrential downpour this month while I was on Kulhudhufushi, the island flooded within hours. Residents…

© Human Rights Watch - vendredi 13 décembre 2019