On Monday, April 29, Fushifaru hosted the “Plastic Aa Nulaa” event, which attracted the participation of numerous individuals and organizations, including government officials and related organizations. The morning clean-up campaign was a great success as 15 of his plastic bags, totaling nearly 50 kg, were recovered from the Hulhumalé Central Park area.
Plastic Aa Nulaa, which translates to “No Plastic,” aimed to promote the reduction of single-use plastics and raise awareness about the current state of the Maldives’ marine environment.
Mr. Ahmed Sial, General Manager of Fushifaru Maldives, stressed the need to preserve the environment for future generations and warned of the potential consequences of negligence that could emerge within the next 20 to 50 years. .
“I envision a future where the beauty of nature remains a reality, not a distant dream. Let’s strive for a plastic-free life,” Sial said.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ahmed Siyam highlighted the government’s commitment to protecting the environment, citing legislative measures such as the 18th Amendment to the Import and Export Act, which bans certain single-use plastic products. Mr. Siyam reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ocean protection and reducing plastic pollution.
Marine biologist Lorraine Aldridge suggested improvements to drinking water facilities, particularly in communities where desalination processes are common but water quality is less than optimal, and a shift to bottled water. He advocated widespread implementation of water purification systems to minimize dependence.
Khalid Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of Ooredhoo Maldives, emphasized the need to urgently address plastic waste, which poses a serious threat to ecosystems and livelihoods. While recognizing the real challenges of eliminating plastics completely, Al Hammadi emphasized the importance of responsible plastic use and pledged Oordoux’s continued commitment to environmental protection.
