At Seychelles at Heart, we are passionate about uncovering the truth behind the narratives that are being sold to the world about our islands. We have already published articles questioning our leaders' claims that Seychelles is a global leader in conservation. Time and again, the reality on the ground tells a very different story - one of broken promises, unchecked development, and disregard for our natural heritage. The latest development on Assomption Island is yet another example of the lie being sold internationally, while our land is quietly sacrificed.
The Threat of Development
In the midst of the Indian Ocean lies Assomption Island, part of the Aldabra Group, which includes Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its remarkable ecological richness. Today, this unique island is under threat. The luxury resort project, managed by the Island Development Company (IDC) and funded by Qatar-owned Assets Group, aims to build a 37-villa resort, spa, restaurants, a jetty extension, and even an international airport on Assomption. The proposed site overlaps with critical turtle nesting grounds, rare dwarf forests, and fragile dune systems, threatening both terrestrial and marine life. In their Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA page 58), they even mentioned the possibility of adding a helicopter pad on Aldabra itself in the future to make it more accessible for their guests - further underscoring the extent to which this project could jeopardize one of the world's last great natural sanctuaries.
Environmental Concerns Ignored
Despite being designated as a high biodiversity protection zone under Seychelles' Marine Spatial Plan, construction on Assomption is moving forward with minimal transparency and numerous unanswered questions. Friends of Aldabra, a coalition of global conservationists and scientists, along with local environmentalists and NGOs, have raised the alarm on the following critical points:
Invasive Species Threat: Construction and human interference pose a high risk of introducing invasive species to Assomption Island. Such invasions have already caused imbalances on other islands under IDC management, including the infestation of yellow crazy ants on Farquhar Island. Without rigorous biosecurity measures, the delicate ecosystems of Assomption and its connection to Aldabra could be irreversibly disrupted.
Habitat Destruction: The construction will directly impact sensitive habitats, including tortoise turf communities, dwarf forests, and turtle nesting sites. These habitats are vital to maintaining biodiversity, yet they are being disregarded and destroyed in the name of development.
Disturbance to Wildlife: The Aldabra giant tortoise, humpback whales, migratory seabirds, and numerous marine species are vulnerable to the disturbances caused by construction and human activity. This development threatens to disrupt their fragile breeding and feeding patterns, pushing endangered species closer to extinction.
Conflict of Interest and Lack of Accountability: The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process, led by the Island Conservation Society (ICS), raises serious concerns over a conflict of interest. ICS has overlapping members with IDC, creating doubts about the impartiality of the evaluation.
The Reality Behind "Accessibility"
IDC has justified this project by claiming that it will make Aldabra more accessible, but we have to ask - accessible for whom? The luxury nature of this resort suggests that "accessibility" will be limited to wealthy tourists, turning Aldabra into an exclusive playground for millionaires. This project isn't about creating opportunities for Seychellois people or enabling meaningful research, it's about profit and privilege. How exactly does Seychelles benefit from this development when the payoff seems so unbalanced? We must question who really gains from making Aldabra accessible to the elite, while the rest of us stand to lose a priceless part of our natural heritage.
The People's Voice
At Seychelles at Heart, we have been on the ground, asking our community how they feel about this development, and we are heartbroken by the response. The people of Seychelles feel powerless. Once again, this sends a message that our voice does not count. But we want to remind the government of Seychelles that they are elected by the people to serve our people and our environment, not the other way around.
Once again, this development seems to be a done deal before anyone actually gets a say. It’s happening behind closed doors, without proper public consultation and transparency. We've seen countless examples of mismanagement and environmental disasters caused by unchecked developments on Mahé. How can we trust our leaders to protect an island so far away, where they can do whatever they want, without any oversight?
We aren’t here to blame the developers - who wouldn't take a free pass? It’s our government that needs to be held accountable. Let's not forget that construction activities already started without the proper permits and assessments, as recently exposed by Michelle Murray's latest documentary on SBC.
A Call for Accountability
Friends of Aldabra have called for an immediate halt to all construction activities until an independent, comprehensive environmental assessment is completed. At Seychelles at Heart, we stand by this call - because Seychelles deserves leaders who live up to the promises they make on the international stage. The truth is that Seychelles' claim of being a leader in conservation is wearing thin. Development after development, we have watched our natural heritage sacrificed for profit, while our government continues to paint a false picture of our commitment to sustainability.
It’s time we pull back the curtain and tell the truth. Aldabra and Assomption are treasures - not just for Seychelles, but for the entire world. They represent what our nation stands for, or at least what it claims to stand for. If we allow Assomption Island to be destroyed without proper oversight, we are turning our backs on everything we say we represent.
Conclusion
To proceed with this project without transparency or proper precautions is to risk irreparable harm to one of the world’s last great natural sanctuaries. The development on Assomption Island is a critical test for Seychelles. Will we choose short-term profit over the legacy of our islands, or can we push for a balance that honors both our natural heritage and future growth? This is bigger than one person, it’s bigger than Seychelles. This is our global heritage, and it’s up to us to protect it!
We cannot afford to stay silent. It’s time we hold the government of Seychelles accountable, it’s time we demand the truth, and it’s time we stand together for Assomption and Aldabra. Seychelles' natural legacy depends on us - and we refuse to let it be destroyed in silence.
With hope,
Lucie Harter
*PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE - http://bit.ly/savealdabra
*Link to friends of Aldabra letter and Environmental Report, addressed to President Ramkalawan - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L3Ha4lYJIOvIeRgswxoDRI7uiuV4IXF4?usp=sharing
*Link to original EIA report - https://macce.gov.sc/resources/
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