Scandals, Corruption, and Destruction in The Maldives
Editor's Note: We hate sharing news of waves that are under threat, it's not too late to Save Tucky Joes by signing the petition here.
Right now, one of the best left-handers in the Maldives, Tucky Joes, is being lost to a development and land reclamation program that is changing the nearby lagoon and disrupting the water flow that makes the wave so good. The argument is playing out within the country and, unfortunately, it seems that those with the bulldozers speak much louder than those with surfboards and dive masks.
A local activist group Save Our Waves is calling for urgent and responsible action to protect the surf break known as Tucky Joes (Miyaru Faru) in the Maldives. This wave is not only significant to surfers, but is part of a living reef and lagoon system that supports marine biodiversity, coastal stability, and the long-term sustainability of the tourism economy.
The threat comes as a result of the ongoing housing crisis that has plagued the Maldives for decades and is being addressed via land reclamation projects that dredge up tons of sand from atoll lagoons that are then reinforced by jetties and sea walls. The Rasmale project is what threatens Tucky Joes because, although developers had agreed to keep the sea wall at least 500 meters from the peak of the wave, they have developed to within 50 meters of the peak.
According to the petition organizers, "Tucky Joes exists because of a precise and delicate balance between coral reef, lagoon, and ocean processes. Activities that alter this balance risk permanently changing the wave and damaging the surrounding marine ecosystem. Once a reef system is disrupted or buried, it cannot be restored within our lifetime. "
We caught up a source who wished to remain anonymous who explained how things like the Rasmale project, which is promising up to 65,000 housing options, actually work out in the long term.
"The Rasmale project, which is ironically being called an “eco city”, was one of the things that the current president used to get elected and into power. However, we have seen other reclamation projects built for “housing” and then instead development and commercial projects have been built. Those in power are the ones who get lucrative kick-backs from contract tenders and under-the-table deals. They also end up owning a lot of the property and selling it. Not much of the wealth is returned to the people of the Maldives. Interestingly, not many presidents serve more than one term because of this--it’s sort of like 4 years to get as much money funneled in their pocket. Then they retire for the rest of their life living on the fortune they have squandered whilst in power."
I asked, so of the 65,000 units, is there any accountability for those to actually be delivered? The reply was this, "That is what they are saying. Whether or not it pans out that way is yet to be seen. As mentioned before, a lot of it is for votes and politics. Meanwhile, the Maldives continues to plunder into massive debt and the cost of living is going up, taxes are going up, and the average Maldivian life is becoming more difficult. Ironically, this coincides with tourism reaching all-time highs."
Anon
While housing is ultimately an issue for many Maldivians, tourism is their main industry and without it, they would be screwed. If the government destroys that which brings in the tourists, well, then the gig is up.
The source continued, "The current (and past) presidents have always been loved and hated by Maldivians, they play politics and promise things to get votes but then steal and cheat the people. Maldivians should be in a much better situation given the fact that the total population is about 750k people and the tourism industry is worth billions. The total income vs outcome should support the nation and its people but with the corruption going on and the short-term thinking, not enough focus on sustainability and environmental considerations when reclaiming or developing; they are killing their golden goose that is the natural resources, coral reefs and world-class waves. The very things that are the Maldives tourism's biggest assets."