“Maldives for the Ocean”: Parley’s nationwide clean-up

Several locals have participated in cleaning up the beaches of their respective islands in the nationwide clean-up initiative by Parley Maldives.

The event, held in commemoration of World Ocean Day, is part of the "Maldives for the Ocean" initiative, a collaborative effort between Parley Maldives, the Ministry of Education, and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI).

The nationwide clean-up began at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, and will continue until 6:00 p.m. The event has witnessed participation from students, schools, NGOs, government offices, state-owned enterprises, tourist resorts, and the general public.

Additionally, the Maldives Vice President Faisal Naseem along with Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali participated in the clean-up event as well.

Local media outlets and broadcasters have been providing live coverage of the clean-up, featuring interviews with participants, sharing information bulletins, and presenting educational content about the oceans.

The event consist of beach, inland, and ocean clean-up activities. Participants are also encouraged to sign the 'Ocean Pledge,' an initiative aimed at raising awareness about ocean life and promoting the preservation of ocean biodiversity.

After signing the Ocean Pledge, Vice President Faisal emphasized that the pristine natural resources of the Maldives were the greatest blessing for the people of Maldives. He highlighted the importance of preserving these resources for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.

"The biggest blessing for the Maldives is the continued benefit reaped from the pristine natural resources. With over 170 tourist resorts, guesthouses, and safari vessels catering to tourists, this is our greatest blessing," Vice President Faisal said.

"In today's age, and with the continued growth in the human population, it is upon each and every one of us to fulfill our civil responsibilities and protect our environment. If we neglect it, we stand to lose the very essence of our natural surroundings."

Parley Maldives said that the primary objective of the event was to minimize plastic waste in the country. They urged citizens to take responsibility for proper disposal of plastic waste and emphasized the importance of discouraging the practice of disposing plastic into the ocean.

The association has been at the forefront of advocating against waste disposal into the ocean, and has continuously worked towards preserving Maldivian seas from adverse environmental impact. Since 2015, the organization has successfully recycled a staggering 2,109,310 kilograms of plastic.