Not quite paradise: Inadequacies of environmental impact assessment in the Maldives

The Maldives, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), has seen a rapid development of its tourism industry over the last 35 years with visitor numbers rising from 1062 visitors per year in 1972 through to over 600,000 today. Both in popular conception and reality the Maldives relies on its marine life and beaches to sustain a tourism industry that contributes over 30% of total GDP.However, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system in the Maldives is insufficient and this paper analyses the causes and consequences of this situation. This is researched through an analysis of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Reports, compared against accepted best practice, of a series of established tourism resorts; and through in-depth interviews with high-level officials from Government, commercial tourism resort operators and tourism associations. Sustainable tourism is a critical commercial reality and the implementation of a more appropriate EIA process, as part of that approach, is crucial as the Government leases more islands for tourism resort developments.