Paradise Island Kingdom

The nearly 10-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City took me to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, a small but popular tourist country in the middle of the Indian Ocean. This place is known as an island paradise with fine white sand beaches, crystal clear water and endless coral reefs.

Photographer Thien Nguyen on a sandy beach amidst the coral reefs of South Ari Atoll

However, hidden deep within that beauty is a fragile marine ecosystem that is facing major challenges from climate change and human impact. To protect the island, the government and people here have proactively developed sustainable tourism , focusing on environmental protection. For me, my visits to the Maldives are not only to enjoy the beauty of the vast ocean but also to learn about the efforts to preserve the marine ecosystem here.

Maldives Marine Ecosystem: Natural Treasure

The Maldives is the world's largest coral island nation, with nearly 1,200 small islands made up of 26 atolls, creating a rich and diverse marine ecosystem. Coral reefs are not only home to many species of creatures, but also play an essential role in protecting the islands from large waves and erosion. With thousands of species of fish and coral, it is home to many iconic animals such as tiger sharks, manta rays, nurse sharks and sea turtles.

Floating resort surrounded by coral reefs in North Ari Atoll

Sustainable Tourism: The Heart of the Maldives

Not following the trend of massive tourism development, Maldives has implemented many marine conservation policies to protect this amazing island nation where nature has favored. The government and conservation organizations such as the Manta Trust or the Olive Ridley Project have implemented many programs to protect sea turtles and sharks, and established marine reserves to limit human impact. The resorts here are also designed in harmony with nature, applying green technology to optimize the combination between humans and the environment, including many famous resorts such as Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani or Six Senses Laamu.

In the Maldives, visitors will have the opportunity to experience unique and diverse ecological activities, from responsible diving to participating in coral restoration. In addition, the Maldives also has many inhabited islands - where visitors can explore the local culture and lifestyle of the people here. Islands such as Maafushi, Dhigurah or Fuvahmulah not only provide eco-friendly accommodation and diving services but also help local people benefit from sustainable tourism.

Lights from the floating eco-restaurant in South Ari Atoll attract schools of sharks and rays

Challenges and future of sustainable tourism

Despite its achievements in environmental protection, the Maldives still faces challenges from climate change, rising sea levels and coral bleaching that threaten its rich flora and fauna. In addition, the increasing number of tourists can have a major impact on the ecosystem, so effective tourism management is essential to protect resources, maintain ecological balance and ensure long-term economic benefits for local people.

The island paradise of Maldives is a living testament to the potential for sustainable ecotourism. When coming here, visitors not only enjoy the services but also have the opportunity to witness the harmony between nature and people, learn about environmental protection and responsible tourism development. The continuous efforts of the government, businesses and visitors to Maldives are contributing to preserving the beauty of this place for future generations.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/vuong-quoc-dao-thien-duong/