By : Mohamed Ali Bunny

The Maldives has long been admired for its natural beauty and the cleanliness of its environment. Tourists visiting Malé often remark on the tidy streets and how well-maintained our city appears. However, what was once a proud national trait is now slowly fading.

In the past, especially during our mothers’ and grandmothers’ time, there was a deep-rooted culture of cleanliness. Every morning, it was a routine for families to sweep and clean the area surrounding their homes  not because anyone instructed them to do so, but because it was a value they lived by. This responsibility came from within, and it reflected a strong communal respect for shared spaces.

Sadly, today’s generation seems to have drifted away from that tradition. It is now increasingly common to see empty coffee cups, plastic bottles, and other trash littering the streets. Even areas that should serve as beautiful first impressions for our visitors  such as Jetty 1, the main arrival point for tourists  are often plagued by garbage. This not only spoils the image of our capital but also harms the environment we so heavily depend on.

This growing neglect raises a crucial question: where have our values gone?

It is not just the government’s duty to ensure cleanliness. Every one of us  from students to business owners  must take personal responsibility. Proper disposal of waste, using dustbins, and maintaining the areas around our homes and workplaces should be part of our daily routine.

If we wish to preserve the beauty of our islands and leave a lasting, positive impression on visitors, we must revive our traditional values of care, respect, and community responsibility. Let’s not wait for rules or regulations to tell us what’s right. Let’s take initiative  for our environment, for our country, and for the generations to come.