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| PHOTO STORIES |
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Banyan
Tree, Dhangethi, Ari Atoll
This banyan tree
in Dhangethi Ari Atoll is considered to
be one of the oldest prehistoric landmarks
in the island. It is estimated that this
tree is more 400 years old. Banyan trees
play a vital role in our ecosystem. It gives
shade and helps navigate sailors who often
look landscape to find their way around
when approaching inner atoll ring. Banyan
trees also bear a fruit (locally called
‘nika’) when ripen becomes dark
reddish. It is sweet and sometimes islanders
mix the fruit with sugar and eat it in groups
in their leisure time. Some of the roots
of the tree hang vertically from branches
and were used as part of sails. This wooden
pole is locally known as ‘farumaanu’.
Maldives need to protect huge trees like
this banyan tree as it give immense benefit
to the community. |
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Beach
erosion
Beach erosion is
a common problem faced by almost all the
islands of the Maldives. It is suggested
by some that this is part of the process
where islands are formed and eroded. This
may however, have some truth in it. Historic
findings suggest that some islands which
existed before have vanished because of
erosion. There are new islands formed during
this process as well. Experts in the field
argue that massive erosion often is due
to the human intervention either by amending
or changing the shape of the islands by
erecting seawalls, jetties or dredging lagoon,
harbour etc... |
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Coral
mining
Coral stones have
played a vital role in the Maldives as it
is used as the main ingredient of house
building. This perhaps may be due to that
fact that it can be easily mined from the
island house reef and is strong enough to
last long. It is also cheaper than other
alternatives. When it is raw it is easy
to break into peaces this gives the builders
the opportunity to break huge stones into
small pieces. Small pieces can be easily
handled in building process and can be easily
lifted to heights. Mining stones from house
reef has immense negative effects to our
island environment. Mining stones contribute
erosion of the islands. |
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Coconut
Palms
Coconut palm is the
national tree of the Maldives. There is
no tree in the Maldives who deserves this
status more than the palm tree. Produce
of palm tree is used not only for consumption
but also to build houses, furniture, boats
and other tools and utensils etc…
Palm tree on a beach of an island holds
the sand together against waves that constantly
bombard the shore. It protects our shores.
We need to plant more tree as our ancestors
did. |
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