Many popular Southeast Asian islands to shut down for protecting eco-systems

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Many popular Southeast Asian islands will be restricted for visitors this year in order to protect and preserve eco-systems crumbling from warming seas and unchecked tourism

 
Thailand will shut Maya Bay, which was famously featured in “The Beach”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, for four months a year, from June. In the Philippines, Boracay Island will be shut down for six months at the end of April.

 
“Islands have very fragile eco-systems that simply cannot handle so many people, pollution from boats and beachfront hotels,” said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine expert in Bangkok.

 
He added, “Coral reefs have been degraded by warmer seas and overcrowding. Sometimes, a complete closure is the only way for nature to heal.”

 
More than three-quarters of Thailand’s coral reefs have been damaged by rising sea temperatures and unrestrained tourism, said Thon.

 
Southeast Asia is expected to bear the brunt of rising damage to coral reefs, depriving fishermen of incomes and leaving nations exposed to incoming storms and damage from surging seas, as per recent research.

 
Thon warned against short-term fixes. To quote Thon, “Tourism is important, but we need to preserve these spaces for our future generations, for future livelihoods.”

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