Nasheed Warns of Deteriorating Air Quality in the Maldives During Peak Tourist Season
Former President and Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed, has raised concerns over the declining air quality in the Maldives, particularly during peak tourist season.
He noted that the air quality deteriorates annually during this period, and if the trend continues, it could negatively impact tourism. Nasheed highlighted that much of the pollution affecting the Maldives originates from neighbouring countries, emphasising the need for a collective effort to address the issue.
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Maldives air quality gets worse every year during this season, which is also peak tourist season. If it continues it is bound to negatively affect tourism. Almost all of this pollution blows in from other countries. We must work collectively to address this problem.— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 14, 2025
Last week, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) urged the public to take precautionary measures when outdoors due to the poor air quality. The agency also stressed the importance of monitoring air quality levels, which can be accessed via a link provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment or through the IQAIR Visual mobile application.
The HPA has issued specific guidelines depending on the severity of air quality. For instance, when air quality reaches a yellow level, sensitive individuals are advised to avoid outdoor activities as they may experience respiratory issues. Those who must go outside are encouraged to wear N95 or similar masks and to keep doors and windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering homes. The use of air purifiers indoors is also recommended.
At an orange level, both the general public and sensitive individuals may experience irritation and respiratory discomfort. If air quality reaches red, there is an increased risk of health effects, particularly concerning the heart and lungs.
