Ahmed Zahid
Memory tree
Memory tree stands at the exit of extinct extension.
The ocean takes a drop from here.
Steeply, to a depth of Hundreds of Meters.
The tree stands, awkwardly, marking this transition point.
The tree marks the limit, this island can be extended (grown) with reclamation.
The outer edge of reef.
The lagoon, (earlier this used to be!) together with reef, provides safety, and protects the island from many external forces.
When people intervene with nature, things start to go wrong.
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When people started migrating, en-mass, into this island, many things started to happen. Some wrong. Some very, very wrong.
Overcrowding and congestion led to many environmentally and socially unfriendly activities.
Houses spurted quickly, on beaches. Lagoons became the next beach.
Houses spurted quickly, on beaches. Lagoons became the next beach.
Houses. More houses...
Until finally the protective lagoon gave up.
Houses filled up every imaginable inch and space.
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Vulnerable.
One fine morning, in 1987?, A storm of tidal waves rammed the coastal areas and flooded the Capital island.
It caused massive losses to land and property, opening wide concerns of the environmental sustainability of the island.
The stupid actions of people cannot be reversed.
The island cannot go back to its former glory days.
A huge publicity campaign followed.
The disturbing pictures of this beautiful tropical paradise island faced with immediate extinction brought in sympathies from all over.
Hence, this 'temporary' 180 Million Dollar solution.
A kind donation by the Japanese.
The seawall around the Capital.
(Story coming.)
For an aerial view of the memory tree, please visit here!
www.flickr.com/photos/ahmedzahid/48210146/
Fact: In a period of 15 years, the Capital island of Male' has grown
Three times its original size.
Memory tree
Memory tree stands at the exit of extinct extension.
The ocean takes a drop from here.
Steeply, to a depth of Hundreds of Meters.
The tree stands, awkwardly, marking this transition point.
The tree marks the limit, this island can be extended (grown) with reclamation.
The outer edge of reef.
The lagoon, (earlier this used to be!) together with reef, provides safety, and protects the island from many external forces.
When people intervene with nature, things start to go wrong.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When people started migrating, en-mass, into this island, many things started to happen. Some wrong. Some very, very wrong.
Overcrowding and congestion led to many environmentally and socially unfriendly activities.
Houses spurted quickly, on beaches. Lagoons became the next beach.
Houses spurted quickly, on beaches. Lagoons became the next beach.
Houses. More houses...
Until finally the protective lagoon gave up.
Houses filled up every imaginable inch and space.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vulnerable.
One fine morning, in 1987?, A storm of tidal waves rammed the coastal areas and flooded the Capital island.
It caused massive losses to land and property, opening wide concerns of the environmental sustainability of the island.
The stupid actions of people cannot be reversed.
The island cannot go back to its former glory days.
A huge publicity campaign followed.
The disturbing pictures of this beautiful tropical paradise island faced with immediate extinction brought in sympathies from all over.
Hence, this 'temporary' 180 Million Dollar solution.
A kind donation by the Japanese.
The seawall around the Capital.
(Story coming.)
For an aerial view of the memory tree, please visit here!
www.flickr.com/photos/ahmedzahid/48210146/
Fact: In a period of 15 years, the Capital island of Male' has grown
Three times its original size.