The phrase ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ is true to almost every scenario, but everyone that has seen a coral reef teaming with life and energy would agree that it’s beautiful. Crucial to our eco system and an important habitat for a large number of sea creatures, coral reefs should be protected at all costs. Coral reefs in Maldives in particular are a true spectacle of colour, life and serve as a great advantage to mankind. The preservation of these natural masses of beauty is of utmost importance and a project initiated by Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort ensures that coral reefs are protected and continue to burst with life, despite the El Nino disaster that brought the bleaching of many coral reefs.
Coral reefs are important for a broad range of reasons; from being vital to the world’s fisheries to protecting humans from natural disasters. Healthy coral reefs provides an important, safe habitat for over 4000 species of fish, 700 species of coral and thousands of other species of plants and sea creatures and ensures that these sea creatures continue to breed and contribute to the great eco system. Coral reefs act as natural barriers that protect coastal cities and beaches against storms like hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis, which cause the waves to break on the reef thus reducing the impact it would have otherwise had on land.
Through the tourism industry, coral reefs generate billions of dollars as activities like diving, snorkelling are one of the best ways to experience life under the sea and hotels near the coast ensure that sea activities are one of their major attractions by providing water bungalows with glass floors where people get a view of the sea bed while relaxing on their own! For residents who depend on income from tourism, the protection of the reef is their utmost priority and destruction of it can result in a significant loss of employment and livelihood.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+