Maldives is a nation of a group of small islands that are facing a real danger of going underwater if the level of the Indian Ocean keeps rising due to the impact of the climate change. Being a small nation, they don’t have the clout on the international forum to expedite the initiatives to slow down the process of climate change. The other option that is in their own hands is to shift slowly to floating developments. And the first such plan has been launched. It is going to be the first floating golf course in Maldives. Dutch Docklands are the developers who have announced the plans. The design is going to be a collaborative effort between golf course developer Troon Golf and Waterstudio.NL.
This eco friendly golf course will have zero footprint and will be sustained fully by solar power, including golf carts. This will be the first floating development and the novelty of the concept is sure to bring in tourists in numbers when the course becomes operational. The floating golf course is located just five minutes away from the Maldives airport. Luxurious accommodations will be built on the 18-hole golf course. Built on floating platforms the golf course complex will have minimum impact on the surrounding ecosystem. It will be the first luxury golf course with zero impact on the environment.
The first of its kind project is a challenge for the developers. The project estimated to cost about $500 million is being conceptualized by Koen Olthuis, head of Waterstudio.NL. Docklands will take care of the engineering aspects of the project and Troon Golf is participating in the project as technical consultant to ensure that the golf course is prepared and maintained to the highest international standards. This project will not only bring in tourists and wealth for the small and beautiful Indian Ocean island nation but also lead to more similar projects which could be the only way of survival for the country and its population if the rising waters of the ocean submerge the islands.
Via: inhabitat
