The Aldabra Islands of Seychelles are under threat once again
Recognised across the world for their exceptional biodiversity, these coral islands in the Indian Ocean include Assomption Island and neighbouring Aldabra Atoll – a UNESCO World Heritage Site described by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the world’s greatest surviving natural treasures’.
A large-scale luxury hotel development on Assomption has just been approved, with plans to construct up to 40 coastal villas, 4 restaurants, horse stables, and an airport for private jets; bringing 300 staff and 150 guests at a time to this fragile natural sanctuary. The development stands to endanger the ecosystems of this pristine island chain, putting hundreds of species, such as the world’s largest population of giant tortoises and an abundance of marine creatures from corals to sea turtles to whales, and irreplaceable habitats at risk.
We are Friends of Aldabra – a youth-led movement committed to ensuring the protection of these islands once and for all. Twice before, public pressure has successfully stopped development projects on these islands, proving that when people speak up and act, conservation wins. Our generation now has the responsibility to make sure the Aldabra Islands remain protected forever – so no one has to fight for their survival again.
Join us in urging President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles to stop the Assomption Island hotel development. We are determined to be the last generation that has to fight for this sanctuary’s future.
Why is this important?
The Aldabra Islands are more than just a globally important ecological treasure – they are a symbol of what we can achieve when we unite for conservation. For millions of years, these islands have been a stronghold for wildlife and a living testament to nature beyond the reach of disturbance. Allowing unchecked development could permanently change this ecosystem, destroying evolutionary history and threatening the survival of countless species.
The Aldabra Islands are known for the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, an abundance of marine creatures from corals to sea turtles to whales, and rare habitats like mangrove swamps and seagrass wetlands. Aldabra Atoll itself is home to 400 species found nowhere else on Earth. Local Seychellois and the global conservation community have raised serious concerns, warning that this luxury development threatens to bring invasive species, destroy habitat and undo decades of hard-won conservation progress – jeopardising the integrity of these delicate ecosystems.
As a youth-led movement, we believe our generation must protect places like Assomption and Aldabra Atoll, so future generations never have to. By signing this petition, you are joining us in saying “no” to development projects that choose profit over nature.. Together, we can secure the protection of the Aldabra Islands once and for all.
Sign now to urge President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles to stop the Assomption Island hotel development. Stand with us as we ask him to protect the Aldabra Islands for good. Let’s be the last generation to protect these islands - so no one has to fight for their survival again.