I came across this interesting article on Haveeru. This is a serious concern for the petty farmers of the islands who are earning their daily bread through agriculture. The parliament needs to consider this seriously.
http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=76663
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Congratulations, MTCC!
It's happy to see the change in MTCC ferries which I have advocated for in my previous post. MTCC has replaced the plastic bags with more environment-friendly paper bags and that's a big achievement. Congratulations TEAM MTCC! It's major step in making your operations greener!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"Ithubaaraaeku".........??
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company proudly carries the slogan "ithubaaraaeku" (meaning 'trusted') and also writes in the company's vision statement, "and be known as the company to be trusted to deliver what the customer wants".
According to the official website of the company, MTCC's authorized and issued share capital is RF 12,500,000 of which 52.5% is held by Government of Maldives represented by Ministry of Finance & Treasury, 7.5% is held by Maldives Shipping Limited and 40% is held by general public of Maldives. (source: www.mtcc.com.mv) From this I came to the conclusion that MTCC is a 'people's company'.
Anyway, let's hit the point without beating around the bush. I happen to travel quite often in the weekend ferries operated by MTCC to Baa Atoll. Ever since my first trip, I am deeply concerned about the plastic bags I find in the seat pocket infront of me. Quite shockingly, I have seen the "TEAM MTCC" staff of the ferries throw these bags into the open sea every time when a passenger vomits (which is quite a common scene). I keep wondering why a public company like MTCC would do this. I have seeing enough of this 'environmental abuse' and thought that I should do something. I happen to be part of an NGO (ENSURE) working for the rights of children and women, which has a strong foothold in Eydhafushi. We commemorated World Environment Day 2007 in Eydhafushi, from a children's perspective with the title "E is for Environment", generously supported by Sonevafushi Resort. We had 3 major activities. One of them was a petition signed by the children of Eydhafushi to MTCC requesting the company to ban the use of plastic bags in their weekend ferries. We managed to get more than 100 children sign the petition (not a bad number for just one island). The text of the petition reads,
"Whereas non-biodegradable plastic bags represent a persistent and ubiquitous source of pollution, a danger to the environment in general and marine animals including corals in particular, an unjustifiable waste of resource;
whereas the production of plastic bags consumes vast quantities of non-renewable fossil fuels;
whereas plastic bags are now consumed in staggering numbers and are accumulating in our environment at an alarming rate,
we, the undersigned, being the children of Eydhafushi of South Maalhosmadulu Atoll, ask the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company to immediately prohibit the distribution and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, in the inter-atoll ferries being operated by the Company, as an important and courageous measure to preserve this fragile environment of ours, for the generations to come."
We managed to hand deliver the signed petition to MTCC on 16th August 2007 at 13:10 hrs. I still have the receipt signed by the receptionist with the seal of MTCC, carefully filed in my folder. To date, we haven't heard anything from the company about the petition (at least saying that they have recieved this crazy petition).
I was glad to hear that MTCC has launched an environment friendly programme titled 'fehi dhuveli' on the night of 14th May 2008. The logo of the programme was officially launched by Tourism Minister Dr. Shaugee. (to read the newspaper article on the programme with all that boasting by MTCC you could visit http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=68206).
I travelled to Eydhafushi with MTCC a week before the campaign and also on the same weekend the program was launched. It was only a 'fehi dhuveli' by name. The plastic bags are still in the seat pockets. It's a shame! I wonder why they should start an environment friendly campaign while they were not courageous enough to take this simple step to protect the environment, the reefs and the marine life of this country, which is so important for the very existence of this nation. The 2x600 horse power 'Giulhu' will be travelling to Baa Atoll 11 hours after I post this in my blog. I wonder whether the plastic bags will still be there!??
World Environment Day 2008 is just a week behind. It's a coincidence that 5th June 2008 is a Thursday (the scheduled MTCC ferry goes from Male' to Eydhafushi on every Thursday). It's another nice coincidence that, president Qayyoom (aka, Father of Environment) will be in Eydhafushi to attend the official ceremonies to mark this year's World Environment Day, when the ferry anchors in the island harbour (with all the plastic bags, after throwing a good quantity to the open sea for the turtles to suffocate). I am confident that the president will not accept this irresponsible action from MTCC, if only he knew about this.
I wish I were there with a giant banner to request MTCC to kindly stop this irresponsible action from the company, if they want to get the trust of the common people. But I would be in Addu if things go according to plans, to attend the "Addu Commemorates World Environment Day 2008" programme, which is an initiative from Maavahi (an environmental NGO) of which I am a founder member. I still have my confidence in the management of MTCC that they will think seriously about this and make their operations truly 'green'! I have no hard feelings for MTCC and nothing personal. All this came through my love and passion for the environment. And after all, it's our company.... the trusted, people's company!
According to the official website of the company, MTCC's authorized and issued share capital is RF 12,500,000 of which 52.5% is held by Government of Maldives represented by Ministry of Finance & Treasury, 7.5% is held by Maldives Shipping Limited and 40% is held by general public of Maldives. (source: www.mtcc.com.mv) From this I came to the conclusion that MTCC is a 'people's company'.
Anyway, let's hit the point without beating around the bush. I happen to travel quite often in the weekend ferries operated by MTCC to Baa Atoll. Ever since my first trip, I am deeply concerned about the plastic bags I find in the seat pocket infront of me. Quite shockingly, I have seen the "TEAM MTCC" staff of the ferries throw these bags into the open sea every time when a passenger vomits (which is quite a common scene). I keep wondering why a public company like MTCC would do this. I have seeing enough of this 'environmental abuse' and thought that I should do something. I happen to be part of an NGO (ENSURE) working for the rights of children and women, which has a strong foothold in Eydhafushi. We commemorated World Environment Day 2007 in Eydhafushi, from a children's perspective with the title "E is for Environment", generously supported by Sonevafushi Resort. We had 3 major activities. One of them was a petition signed by the children of Eydhafushi to MTCC requesting the company to ban the use of plastic bags in their weekend ferries. We managed to get more than 100 children sign the petition (not a bad number for just one island). The text of the petition reads,
"Whereas non-biodegradable plastic bags represent a persistent and ubiquitous source of pollution, a danger to the environment in general and marine animals including corals in particular, an unjustifiable waste of resource;
whereas the production of plastic bags consumes vast quantities of non-renewable fossil fuels;
whereas plastic bags are now consumed in staggering numbers and are accumulating in our environment at an alarming rate,
we, the undersigned, being the children of Eydhafushi of South Maalhosmadulu Atoll, ask the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company to immediately prohibit the distribution and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, in the inter-atoll ferries being operated by the Company, as an important and courageous measure to preserve this fragile environment of ours, for the generations to come."
We managed to hand deliver the signed petition to MTCC on 16th August 2007 at 13:10 hrs. I still have the receipt signed by the receptionist with the seal of MTCC, carefully filed in my folder. To date, we haven't heard anything from the company about the petition (at least saying that they have recieved this crazy petition).
I was glad to hear that MTCC has launched an environment friendly programme titled 'fehi dhuveli' on the night of 14th May 2008. The logo of the programme was officially launched by Tourism Minister Dr. Shaugee. (to read the newspaper article on the programme with all that boasting by MTCC you could visit http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=68206).
I travelled to Eydhafushi with MTCC a week before the campaign and also on the same weekend the program was launched. It was only a 'fehi dhuveli' by name. The plastic bags are still in the seat pockets. It's a shame! I wonder why they should start an environment friendly campaign while they were not courageous enough to take this simple step to protect the environment, the reefs and the marine life of this country, which is so important for the very existence of this nation. The 2x600 horse power 'Giulhu' will be travelling to Baa Atoll 11 hours after I post this in my blog. I wonder whether the plastic bags will still be there!??
World Environment Day 2008 is just a week behind. It's a coincidence that 5th June 2008 is a Thursday (the scheduled MTCC ferry goes from Male' to Eydhafushi on every Thursday). It's another nice coincidence that, president Qayyoom (aka, Father of Environment) will be in Eydhafushi to attend the official ceremonies to mark this year's World Environment Day, when the ferry anchors in the island harbour (with all the plastic bags, after throwing a good quantity to the open sea for the turtles to suffocate). I am confident that the president will not accept this irresponsible action from MTCC, if only he knew about this.
I wish I were there with a giant banner to request MTCC to kindly stop this irresponsible action from the company, if they want to get the trust of the common people. But I would be in Addu if things go according to plans, to attend the "Addu Commemorates World Environment Day 2008" programme, which is an initiative from Maavahi (an environmental NGO) of which I am a founder member. I still have my confidence in the management of MTCC that they will think seriously about this and make their operations truly 'green'! I have no hard feelings for MTCC and nothing personal. All this came through my love and passion for the environment. And after all, it's our company.... the trusted, people's company!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Of Isdhoo ... an island divided!
I was watching late night news on TVM and came across the news that tension is high in Isdhoo due to disagreements over supplying power to the health centre (which is in the centre or the 'no-man's zone' between 'Kalaidhoo avah' and 'gandu avah' of Isdhoo).
The story of Isdhoo is not strange to me as I have personally experienced the historical clashes between the 2 wards of the island when Care Society in their Tsunami Reconstruction Programme tried to establish an agricultural nursery in the island of Isdhoo. We were working in the tsunami-hit Kalaidhoo ward of Isdhoo and the question of where to construct the Nursery arised. We wanted it to be a people's decision. I went to Isdhoo with my my project director and we met with the Kalaidhoo community. More than 50 community members were present and after a brief intro we threw the scary question (knowing the situation quite well): 'Will you (the residents of Kalaidhoo district) accept if we build the nursery on the north of the health centre?' what do you think? The answer was a definite 'NO'!. We tried in vain for more than an hour to convince the islanders that it would do no harm for them whether it's built on either side of the health centre. But they wouldn't listen.. A similar meeting was held in 'Gandu avah' community. No progress. I remember myself telling the community people present, in a mood of frustration, that we cannot build the nursery just above the health centre (which is believed to be on the centre of the island). It should be on either south or north of the centre. It seemed impossible to change the belief they had for generations. One after the other walked out of the meeting and we had to leave without any agreement on where to build the nursery. We tried to build consensus between both communities for nearly 3 months and had to pull out the programme from the Island, eventually. The 2.5 million rufiyaa worth nursery with a training centre and an agricultural sales centre was later built in Gan of Laamu Atoll. The people of Isdhoo lost a golden opportunity to develop agriculture in their island (Isdhoo being the most agricultural island in the atoll) ... just because they couldnt agree on the location. It's a shame!
The recent disagreements culminated in the digging of a wide trench through the middle of the island to literally divide the island into two. And they have done it a year ago also! A population of only 2000 people, in a country which some people still believe to be a model of national unity! It's a pity! The poor residents of Isdhoo had to suffer the consequences. There is no power in the health centre and it's closed since Thursday!
If you look at the root cause for the disputes between the 2 districts of Isdhoo, it's evident that nobody is doing anything to bring the people together. The authorities have being working in a way that the islanders will feel that they are people of 2 islands in a common land. There are 2 seperate island offices. Gandu Avah people have started calling their district as Isdhoo and it even confuses the islanders. No one knows whether Isdhoo is the name of the island or the name of one district in that particular island. I would rather call the Island Isdhoo and the 2 districts as Kalaidhoo Avah and Gandu Avah... I have no hesitation in saying that this disintegration we see today, is the bitter result of the divide-and-rule policies being implemented upon the unlucky people of this land for years.
I happen to be in Isdhoo a week ago for a British Red Cross assignment, and was discussing with some close friends (including the Island Chief of Gandu Avah) from the island about organising a community integration programme for both communities. It's sad that this incident happened and we will have to wait for the tensions to calm down again (which might take months... if not years!).. But I am glad that my determination to work for the betterment of the fellow Maldivians in Isdhoo has definitely gained more strength with this incident!
The story of Isdhoo is not strange to me as I have personally experienced the historical clashes between the 2 wards of the island when Care Society in their Tsunami Reconstruction Programme tried to establish an agricultural nursery in the island of Isdhoo. We were working in the tsunami-hit Kalaidhoo ward of Isdhoo and the question of where to construct the Nursery arised. We wanted it to be a people's decision. I went to Isdhoo with my my project director and we met with the Kalaidhoo community. More than 50 community members were present and after a brief intro we threw the scary question (knowing the situation quite well): 'Will you (the residents of Kalaidhoo district) accept if we build the nursery on the north of the health centre?' what do you think? The answer was a definite 'NO'!. We tried in vain for more than an hour to convince the islanders that it would do no harm for them whether it's built on either side of the health centre. But they wouldn't listen.. A similar meeting was held in 'Gandu avah' community. No progress. I remember myself telling the community people present, in a mood of frustration, that we cannot build the nursery just above the health centre (which is believed to be on the centre of the island). It should be on either south or north of the centre. It seemed impossible to change the belief they had for generations. One after the other walked out of the meeting and we had to leave without any agreement on where to build the nursery. We tried to build consensus between both communities for nearly 3 months and had to pull out the programme from the Island, eventually. The 2.5 million rufiyaa worth nursery with a training centre and an agricultural sales centre was later built in Gan of Laamu Atoll. The people of Isdhoo lost a golden opportunity to develop agriculture in their island (Isdhoo being the most agricultural island in the atoll) ... just because they couldnt agree on the location. It's a shame!
The recent disagreements culminated in the digging of a wide trench through the middle of the island to literally divide the island into two. And they have done it a year ago also! A population of only 2000 people, in a country which some people still believe to be a model of national unity! It's a pity! The poor residents of Isdhoo had to suffer the consequences. There is no power in the health centre and it's closed since Thursday!
If you look at the root cause for the disputes between the 2 districts of Isdhoo, it's evident that nobody is doing anything to bring the people together. The authorities have being working in a way that the islanders will feel that they are people of 2 islands in a common land. There are 2 seperate island offices. Gandu Avah people have started calling their district as Isdhoo and it even confuses the islanders. No one knows whether Isdhoo is the name of the island or the name of one district in that particular island. I would rather call the Island Isdhoo and the 2 districts as Kalaidhoo Avah and Gandu Avah... I have no hesitation in saying that this disintegration we see today, is the bitter result of the divide-and-rule policies being implemented upon the unlucky people of this land for years.
I happen to be in Isdhoo a week ago for a British Red Cross assignment, and was discussing with some close friends (including the Island Chief of Gandu Avah) from the island about organising a community integration programme for both communities. It's sad that this incident happened and we will have to wait for the tensions to calm down again (which might take months... if not years!).. But I am glad that my determination to work for the betterment of the fellow Maldivians in Isdhoo has definitely gained more strength with this incident!