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Recent photos circulating in social media confirms the deteriorating condition of H.Dh Vaikaradhoo’s mangrove forest, adding it to the list of mangroves under threat in the northern most region of Maldives.
H.Dh Vaikaradhoo’s Council President, Ahmed Naseem, in his interview to ‘Thiladhun’ stated that, the council is making an effort to bring this issue to the government’s immediate attention. He noted that there has been no identification of the cause behind the sudden die-off of mangroves in the island.
Naseem also stated that the mangrove forest is suffering from erosion, making the soil more saline.
Vaikaradhoo’s mangrove forest is a protected area, housing many endemic species. The before and after pictures of the mangroves highlight the graveness of the situation. These pictures have been taken by a group of environmentally conscious youth, hoping to make a change.
Vaikaradhoo Kandoofaa is dying : (
Location 📍: H.dh vaikaradhoo
#savevkkandoofaa
Posted by Mohamed Jinas on Monday, September 14, 2020
Mohamed Jinas, a photographer who contributed to the cause, stated that locals have noticed a change in the mangrove forest since last year; mangroves suddenly dying off, paling and losing their colour. He noted that whatever has been causing this change began spreading this year.
“It is disheartening to see the once green and flourishing mangroves dying off at such a breakneck speed,” added Jinas.
To visualize how bad the situation is now. Here is a comparison between a drone shot that was taken above in 2018 and a drone shot that was taken today (2020).
Location📍: H.dh vaikaradhoo
#savevkkandoofaa
Posted by Mohamed Jinas on Monday, September 14, 2020
Vaikaradhoo’s council is preparing to make an appeal to the government administrations regarding the concerning issue.
A similar case of mangroves decaying was noticed in both H.Dh Neykurendhoo and Kelaa recently, with a team of specialists making a visit to the islands in order to determine the cause.
The findings of the field research identified and reported that unpredictable monsoonal changes could be a catalyst to the cause as well as some pathogenic pests.
Posted by Mohamed Jinas on Monday, September 14, 2020
The danger that northern mangrove forests are facing has no definitive solution. Neykurendhoo council has estimated over 10,000 deaths of mangrove plants from the island’s mangrove forest. The severity of damage to Thiladhunmathi mangrove forests is unprecedented.
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