Photo: Courtesy (Nur Aina Ghalib). Retrieved from nst.com.my
Many might think that Nur Aina Ghalib is fortunate to grow up in Mabul, a beautiful and renowned island that many dream of visiting.
However, the 23-year-old is a living testimony to the impacts of overpopulation, mass tourism, the proliferation of resorts, destructive fishing methods, and climate change.
“Mabul Island is known for its coral reefs and pristine sea. It used to have abundant coral reefs, but they were destroyed due to human activities such as fish bombing and overfishing.
“Climate change has also contributed to the death of these reefs. This phenomenon has also affected the islanders,” she said, noting that rising sea levels have affected their water supply.