A remote coral island in the Indian Ocean is quietly being transformed into a luxury resort and international airstrip for Qatari royalty—allegedly sold off in a secretive $50 million deal to Qatar by Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan, without public consent or environmental oversight. The deal is linked to alleged terror funds. 

The backdoor deal, first rumored in Indian media and brought to light by opposition leader Maarco Francis, President of the Seychelles United Movement political party, threatens the fragile ecosystems of nearby Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to rare birds, turtles, and giant tortoises. The atoll is globally revered for its ecological importance, and the development of Assomption—just 27 km away—is igniting fierce resistance among locals and environmentalists. We interviewed a leading conservationist here.

“They built an international airport on a coral island with no environmental impact study,” Francis tells Green Prophet. “The president is pushing construction forward as fast as possible before elections this September, hoping future governments won’t be able to stop it,” he says.

Fragile Coral Island, Rare Nesting Site for Turtles 

Assomption Island, unlike granite-based Mahé, is a low-lying coral formation. It hosts vital nesting grounds for endangered green sea turtles and stretches of untouched white sand—the longest of any in Seychelles.

What makes the situation even more alarming is Assomption’s proximity to Aldabra, which lies within a marine protection zone created through a high-profile “debt-for-nature” swap meant to safeguard 30% of Seychelles’ ocean territory.

Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean is one of the largest raised coral reefs in the world. This atoll, consisting of coral islands ringing a shallow lagoon, is known for the hundreds of endemic species—including the Aldabra giant tortoise—that live there. According to UNESCO, Aldabra contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes.

But according to Francis, secrecy and foreign influence have trumped conservation. Qatari construction and a 1,000-person crew from India and Bangladesh have already begun work on Assomption, despite local opposition.

Francis tells Green Prophet that he connected the dots when he heard about a Gulf royal bragging in an Indian newspaper that her husband had bought an island in the Indian Ocean for $50 million. At the same time the news came out President Ramkalawan of the Seychelles was in the Maldives. He claims the two incidents are connected. 

Conservationists like Adrian Skerrett, Chairman of the Island Conservation Society, have heard reports of damage already done to the dunes.

Francis says, yes, access is tightly restricted: drones are forbidden, photography is controlled, and independent visits to the island require Qatari authorization, he claims. You could take a boat out for a 3-day trip to the island but they won’t let you on it. Not even if you were the BBC, he says. 

A Locked-Down Island and a Silenced Nation

Environmentalists and journalists have been barred from visiting Assomption, says Francis. The Qataris, he claims, now effectively control the island.

“You won’t get permission. The government won’t grant it,” he claims. “They’ve built a dock. Foreign workers live in container housing. Diesel is shipped in and polluting the sea. The currents will carry that pollution straight to Aldabra.”

Locals also report that planes and supplies are landing directly on the island without passing through Seychelles’ immigration systems—suggesting an autonomous zone operating outside the nation’s legal framework. This worries Francis both now and for the future.

One in 10 Seychellois is addicted to heroin. This heroin is trafficked from Iran and Afghanistan. An international airport with no government oversight would be a free pass for the drug trade into the Seychelles and the rest of Africa where it can be transported out. Animals are at risk too –– Gulf countries lead the way with an appetite for illegal wildlife trade.

Terror Links and Unanswered Questions

Francis alleges the development is being fast-tracked with funds linked to Qatari investors—a case currently under investigation in the UK with connections to alleged terror financing and potentially tied to interests far beyond tourism. He questions why the President met Qatari officials in the Maldives instead of in Qatar or Seychelles, hinting at intentional secrecy.

“There are allegations of terror financing,” Francis says. “Our own political broadcasters reported it. The BBC is silent. Maybe it’s because the UK is bought by Qatar. Everyone’s turning a blind eye because there’s money involved.”

As for locating the alleged $50 million: “It’s backhand money—you don’t know where it goes,” says Francis. “He was trying to go somewhere he thought no one would notice. But we’re aware of the terror money links. He’s been silent on that, pretending he doesn’t know. This group is linked to terrorists. They are building an international airport, and we as a country won’t know who’s going there or what deals are being done.”

Francis also points to the President’s dual role as patron of the Seychelles Islands Foundation—a conflict of interest, he says, that lets him sidestep environmental protections.

“He appoints the chairman,” Francis says. “So of course, the study will say it’s okay. But scientists and the public are strongly opposed.”

Crisis at Home: Heroin, Despair, and a Stolen Future

While foreign elites carve out paradise for themselves, everyday Seychellois suffer. Youth unemployment is high. Over 10% of the population is addicted to heroin. Hope is vanishing as fast as the coastline on Assomption.

“Our youth have no opportunities to achieve their dreams. They get depressed and turn to drugs,” says Francis. “They need something to aspire to, something that makes them want to wake up in the morning and break the routine.”

Francis says agriculture development projects could help.

At 47, he presents himself as a businessman with a vision, offering a generational shift from an older, out-of-touch leader. He’s running for president this September and says he will win, appealing to younger voters who understand environmental sustainability.

“The current president is 65. We need leadership that protects the environment and creates prosperity.”

A New Chagos Moment?

The crisis draws comparisons to the Chagos Islands scandal, when Britain ceded land to the U.S. military, displacing its inhabitants. Back then, public resistance stopped the destruction. Francis believes the same can happen again. Seychellois also previously stopped India from developing a military base on Assomption that would have required a larger runway and heavy docks.

“This is our Chagos moment,” he warns. “Back then we fought. Now, our own president has sold us out.”

In the 1960s, Seychellois scientists and citizens protested U.S. military expansion, ultimately preserving foreign influence. Today, the threat comes not from a colonial power—but from within. 

“He’s an Anglican priest, but clearly this is not about faith. He is blinded by money.”

With elections looming and construction underway, the future of one of the planet’s last untouched ecosystems—and the soul of a nation—hangs in the balance.

President Ramkalawan’s press secretary acknowledged our request for comment. There is currently no comment from his office. 

Read our previous articles on the Seychelles scandal:

Rats and Royalty with conservationist Adrian Skerrett 

UNESCO-island development linked to terror funds

The post Seychelles’ Assomption Island Sold to Qatar: An Alleged $50M Deal Sparks Uproar Over Heroin, Corruption, and a Vanishing Paradise appeared first on Green Prophet.

Vast swathes of the Middle East were either once seas, or explosive volcanoes or both. Now that Saudi Arabia’s ruling family has decided to open up Saudi Arabia to the Western world, it is opening up some of the most untouched places on earth including their ancestral home, a palace made from mud. One of the new sites to open to tourists at the spectacular region of Alulu is the Khaybar Volcano Camp. Sleep under the stars, for $500 a night.

The luxury glamping site, being marketed as an eco-lodge, opened in December late 2022 and it’s situated on the landscape of an ancient, dormant volcano called the Harrat Khaybar. It is being touted as one of the most untouched places on earth. If you are new to Saudi Arabia and Alula, start here. 

Archeologists are rushing into the area to study ancient and near history in the Khaybar Harrat area and are forming new theories of civilization from the region. They found desert kites created by ancient trappers, and strange burial mounds meant for travellers. If you are an aspiring archaeologist, Saudi Arabia is the place to rush in.

The Khaybar Volcano Camp is at the heart of it all, at one of the rarest lava fields in Saudi Arabia which has seen traces of people living there over the years. The region is full of monumental archaeological evidence, prehistoric monuments (see the desert kites), rare geological landmarks, lush oases, and lava caves that have existed with and without us for millions of years.

Think Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a history? Think again. Meet it along with locals at the Khaybar Volcano Camp. Started there the region will be accessible to travelers who desire nature and history, over let’s say fake moons and flying taxis (another tourism direction for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.)

Cultural activities, mythical storytelling, evening stargazing, wellness programming, balloon flights (tethered), and trekking to geological wonders and touring the ancient ruins are some of the activities offered at the volcano resort. Cost? About $1000 USD for a couple for 2 nights, including meals.

Ten luxury tents with ensuite bathrooms (which is now known as glamping) feature upscale furnishings and creature comforts. Natural, local ingredients make up the meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As for “eco” credentials beyond the organic food –– you can look into it when you are there. How do they get their power, where does water come from? Where does waste go? What are the hiring and work policies at the resort? These are some questions you can ask when you go. 

Saudi Arabia isn’t the first to start volcano travelling. Costa Rica and Sicily both have active volcanoes and an active group of tourists who flock to these places for some geological action. Over in Israel, Beresheet Hotel, is a luxury hotel overlooking the Ramon crater formed by a retracting sea. That’s what NASA says, after theories of meteorites and volcanoes were quashed. You might need a trust fund however to afford staying at this place. 

Another nature option for the budget traveller is to sail across the Red Sea to Sinai, Egypt and hike and trek to God’s mountain with a local Bedouin guide who will bring tents and a full camp/semi-glamp experience for a fraction of the price.

More on Harrat Khaybar

Harrat Khaybar is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest volcanic fields, covering an area of more than 10,000 square miles, and found north of Medina. An 80 mile vent system contains felsic lava domes, tuff rings, the Jabal Qidr stratovolcano, and numerous small basaltic cones. At least seven of the ancient lava flows are young at less than 4,500 years old, and another eight are less than 1,500 years old. An eruption was reported in the early Mohammedan times during the 7th Century.

More to explore in Alula, Saudi Arabia:

Maraya, the largest mirrored building and in the desert!

Historical tourism begins in Alula

These ancients built graveyards for travellers

House of Saud is a Palace built from Mud

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It’s been some time now that people are used to the idea that camping, if it’s called glamping, means luxury and a closeness to nature one could only expect on an African safari. Luxury tent camping, glamping (glamor + camping) is becoming commonplace around the world and the Middle East is no exception. People everywhere want authentic experiences close to nature, with some modern conveniences of home like heating and lights and a good bed. 

Glamping in the deserts of Abu Dhabi offers the best of a region where the options are slim. Slick hotels or camping on your own. As you start looking around for options in the Abu Dhabi, consider a few day trip to the desert with glamping sites as your destination.

Jebel Hafit Desert Park in Al Ain is about 1.5 hours away from Abu Dhabi. The national park is about a 7 mile stretch which starts at the Jebel Hafit mountain, Abu Dhabi’s tallest peak, where visitors can explore the family-friendly park’s majestic natural surroundings on a hike, mountain bike, horse or camel.

Archaeological and historical remains can tell enchanting stories of this unique area’s ancient habitation. Remnants include those from the Neolithic period from 8,000 years ago, to the 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafit Tombs excavated in 1959 at the request of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates.

In 2011, UNESCO recognised the Jebel Hafit Desert Park area as being a vital component of the World Heritage Site of Al Ain, the UAE’s first World Heritage Site. 

Jebel Hafit Desert Park not only preserves the area’s rich history but also its unique biodiversity, encouraging visitors to experience this dynamic landscape up close and understand how it has changed over millions of years.

And now you can glamp inside it. The park offers guests three camping experiences: basic camping for which you need to bring your own equipment (you’ll find inexpensive camping gear at several Al Ain and Abu Dhabi city stores – but better to borrow from a local); fully serviced camping, including breakfast, in a camp showcasing Bedouin (look inside a Bedouin tent here) tents, and; furnished five-star bubble glamping tents complete with air-conditioning.

Want to glamp? Contact Pura here

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Being born of nomadic ancestors, it’s little wonder so many of us have been struck by wanderlust. Travelling has the ability to make us feel connected and displaced. Experiencing life in another culture or place expands your understanding of yourself just as much as it does your understanding of others. But, can we really travel eco-friendly? How can we reduce our carbon footprint while still exploring the great unknown? Are there easy ways to be a green globetrotter? This guide to sustainable travel has some ideas we can put to use without much effort. Let’s look at some ways we can exercise respect for the environment as well as the local people while abroad.

The Journey

By now we’re all aware that air travel is not the most eco-friendly way to go, however in some cases it’s the only way to get from A to B. Luckily for us, there are many ways in which we can ease the burden we place on the planet and make our travels as sustainable as possible. The first rule of sustainable travel is finding ways to move about the local area that are as low-impact as possible. The best method of travel for the environment is two feet and a heartbeat. Walking does not require any carbon emissions, gasoline, or manufacturing.

Modern Solutions for a Modern Problem

Not everyone is able to walk long distances and some people may have a disability that does not allow them to walk safely or even at all. While walking is certainly the cleanest method of travel from an environmental standpoint, there are other methods that still minimize greenhouse gasses and other damage to the planet. Renting a bicycle, scooter, or segway is one option for those who may not be able to walk. Many big cities now have access to pay-per-use transportation, meaning you can hop on a bike, pay for your time spent riding and then leave the bike for the next person who needs it. Find a bike that has a place to store your stuff while you travel. In the city I just use an old plastic milk crate, but you might want a sleek front bike rack which is a more secure option if you are travelling in an unknown city. This option is great if you’re in an area that has this infrastructure built and is small enough in a geographical location that you can move about the places you wish to see using your own power.

Classic Options with a Green Update

When it comes to longer trips that are too far to cycle or are over terrain that is unsafe for foot travel, public transit options like coach busses or trains are surprisingly eco-friendly nowadays. Busses and trains are capable of moving large groups of passengers and minimizing the number of individual vehicles on the road. They’re also designed to be more fuel efficient and release fewer emissions as a result. Not only is it often more cost effective to travel by bus or train, but there is also the added benefit of being able to enjoy the scenery and company without having to focus on driving.

Old Faithful

When public transportation is not a viable option, carpooling or rideshares are the next best thing. Planning group trips or joining tours will again minimize the number of vehicles on the road. It is also important to try to select a vehicle that is low emissions if possible. When using rideshare, opt for eco-friendlier options than SUVs and try to plan your trips to avoid unnecessary mileage. All of these small decisions add up to a much greener trip.

Beyond getting around for your sight-seeing, choosing a place to stay can also have major impacts on the environment.

Accommodations

Although tempting, luxury hotels can be some of the worst offenders when it comes to environmental impact. Opting for greener lodging such as a hostel or guest-home will not only provide you with the unique experience of how the locals live, it is also a great way to meet new people and lower your carbon footprint. There are booking companies that focus on finding safe and green options for lodging so travellers can relax and enjoy their trip knowing they’ve made a better choice. If you do decide to stay in a luxury hotel, opt to reuse your towels instead of daily towel service and use your own shampoos and soaps instead of the single-use plastic bottles. Also, don’t be afraid to leave comments or feedback for the hotel management on how they can be more eco-friendly. The more we advocate for change the more likely we are to get it!

Home Away From Home

Regardless of where you stay, treat it the same way you treat your own home. Don’t forget to turn off the lights and be mindful of your water usage as well. Adjust the thermostat so it’s not overworking and take advantage of the climate you’re visiting. If you’ll be on an all-day adventure, pack your own snacks and beverages in eco-friendly containers to avoid littering and purchasing items with excessive packaging. The same eco-friendly principles you use at home should be used abroad as much as possible.

Eco-Tourism and Tourist Traps

Before spending your money on a tourist activity consider these important questions: Does it involve local wildlife? Does it rely on single-use items that pollute the area? Am I exploiting a local community population or endangering a local guide? Who does the money benefit? Try sourcing out local museums and attractions that directly benefit the culture’s history and community. Environmental journalist Aaron ‘Bertie’ Gekoski has worked tirelessly on bringing the dark underbelly of wildlife tourism to light. It’s up to us as tourists to stop funding activities that harm local wildlife and people. Additionally, avoid damaging environmental areas or sacred grounds for a selfie moment. Most importantly, when exploring natural areas, be respectful of the signs and rules posted. As a general rule, always leave the area better than you found it. 

Pack Your Bags

Finally, being green in your daily life can have great effects on your travel as well. How to Pack Like a Sustainable Traveller suggests packing items that you can use abroad to minimize your individual waste like refillable shampoo and body wash containers. For those who menstruate, try reusable napkins or menstrual cups to avoid any issues with plumbing and to eliminate landfill waste. Avoid products that contain harmful chemicals or things like microplastics that can easily disrupt the local environment and cause damage. Not only will packing green save the environment, but it will also save you money! Lighter luggage will allow you to avoid any additional costs at the airport and prevent you from overspending on items once you arrive.

The Verdict

It’s nearly impossible to travel at net-zero, however, there are tonnes of small and thoughtful steps we can take to minimize our impact and travel in a sustainable way. A small amount of research ahead of time can make all the difference in the world when it comes to eco-friendly travel. We might not be able to travel completely green, but we can travel in a safer and more sustainable way that will ensure future generations can travel the world and see its wonders for years to come.

The post Does Eco-Friendly Travel Truly Exist? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Tent City a few years ago had connotations of anxiety and despair (see Occupy Tel Aviv), now the City of Tel Aviv is embracing the idea of tents as they gets ready to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. AirBNB has already taken over the city, but still hotel prices are too high and the city is anticipating record-high demands of overnight stays in the city. The Municipality is in the process of implementing creative solutions to accommodate the influx of visitors and approved the building of a temporary campsite. The campsite will be set up in the Yarkon Park (Ganei Yehoshua), the largest urban park in Israel, which is conveniently located at a walking distance from EXPO Tel Aviv, where Eurovision will take place.

The “Tent City” will operate for a period of two months; May and June which are filled with international events, including Eurovision and the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, which is the City’s largest annual event.           

The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest will be taking place in Tel Aviv between the 14th and 18th of May. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 international participants. Over the last 3 years, the number of international visitors to Tel Aviv has almost doubled and is expected to reach an overall new all-time high in 2019.

From Camping to Glamping; accommodations on site will be available at three different levels:

• Basic camping: where guests are invited to bring their own tent or rent camping gear on site.
• Glamping (combining the words Glamour + Camping): an increasingly popular travel trend; where nature meets luxury.
• Luxury Caravans: A comfortable and spacious caravan fully equipped with bathrooms, air-conditioning and more.

The “Tent City” will host up to 2,000 guests and will include showering areas, a recreation and party area, food and beverages stalls and a bike rental spot. A shuttle service will be available from the camping area to the Eurovision Village; the main Eurovision entertainment venue located at Charles Clore Seaside Park.

Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ron Huldai: “The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality is planning to host an extraordinary Eurovision experience for the thousands of tourists who are expected to visit Tel Aviv. The “Tent City” is just one example of the many initiatives we are working on, in order to create the perfect tourist experience and make sure that visitors can enjoy everything that the city has to offer. Tourists staying at the camping ground in “The Central Park of Tel Aviv” will benefit from affordable accommodation and will be able to enjoy the Eurovision vibe just steps away from Expo Tel Aviv”.

Minister of Tourism, Yariv Levin: “Tourism in Israel reached an all-time high this year; this momentum creates new challenges, especially in regards to accommodation. This is highly noticeable during the months where major international events such as the Eurovision Song Contest are taking place”.

Glamping can be found all over the western east, like this place Odom in the mountains of Lebanon.

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You know us. We are dreaming of Mars daily. But for most of us, getting there will only be a dream. But you can live out the fantasy close to where the film The Martian was shot –– by staying in Freedomes owned by the SunCity Camp in Jordan. The glamping site offers one of 20 geodesic domes for glamor camping. Find similar experiences in Abu Dhabi at Pura’s glamping sites.

Freedomes is a company that offers a relatively inexpensive DIY backyard dome kits. But the company also constructed the domed habitat for astronaut Mark Watney in The Martian’s set.

The Freedomes camp is situated around gorgeous sandstone and granite rock formations, allowing you to feel like you have travelled to another planet. Each dome offers a private bathroom and large window for a viewing Wadi Rum.

What is Wadi Rum known for?

Wadi Rum Desert is famed for its link to T.E. Lawrence the original “Lawrence of Arabia”. Along with Prince Feisal bin Al-Hussein, he made his base here during the Arab Revolt of 1917-1918. At the center of Wadi Rum village is the Desert Police fort.

There are about 5,000 Bedouins who call Wadi Rum home. They call it Valley of the Moon. If you are hankering for more exploration, the camp can set you up with local Bedouin tour guides for more in-depth exploration of the region. Try SunCity’s restaurant if you want a taste of local lamb.

The cost for travelling to and staying on Mars will set you back a few billion likely. So SunCity offers an affordable alternative – at $159 to $318 a night.

I’ve had a lot of experience in domes. Check out my greenhouse from my roof last winter.

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