Thilafushi, located just a few miles west of the Maldivian capital of Malé, is a far cry from the white beaches and turquoise waters that surround it.
Once a pristine lagoon, the artificial island now serves as a dumping ground for one of the most exclusive tourist destinations in the world.
Hundreds of tons of solid waste and toxic material from Malé and luxury hotels on nearby islands are unloaded on Thilafushi every day.
The amount of waste continues to grow as more and more tourists flock to the islands.
Maldivian native Hani Amir captured shocking images of Thilafushi, taken last year, that reveal the ugly side of paradise.
The island of Thilafushi is just a short boat ride from Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
It was originally a lagoon called "Thilafalhu."
In 1992, the area was reclaimed and transformed into an artificial landfill in order to solve Malé's trash crisis.
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