Tucked within the island of Rathafandhoo lies a dense mangrove forest spanning approximately five hectares — modest in size, yet immense in ecological and cultural value.

The Ecological Society of Maldives (ECOSOM) recently conducted a beach cleanup along the south-eastern beachfront of Rathafandhoo—a small but powerful step in our ongoing commitment to protecting the island environment. What unfolded over just two hours was both impactful and sobering. With only three volunteers on the ground, the team managed to collect 40 bags of waste , totaling nearly one ton of garbage . The scale of accumulation in such a short stretch of coastline unde