Only five out of 93 protected areas properly monitored

There are 93 protected areas in Maldives, but only five of them are properly managed or maintained, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim said today.

Thoriq stated that the government's aim is to protect and maintain as many of the country's protected areas as possible. To achieve this, the government will prepare a management plan for these areas.

“In addition to the five protected sites we currently have, we aim to maintain and manage as many areas as possible to make them profitable,” he said.

"We are currently training personnel and securing financing to support these efforts, we are obtaining the funds we require," he said.

Thoriq made these remarks during a press conference held at the President's Office last Thursday.

He also said that many proposals have been received for the construction of a nature park in each atoll, as pledged by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

These proposals will be reviewed, with practical work expected to begin next year. Additionally, renovation of existing nature parks has already commenced.

Properly Monitored areas:

- Baa atoll Hanifaru Bay area

- Baa atoll Olhugiri area

- Baa atoll Mendhoo area

- Fuvahmulah Dhandimagu Kilhi (mangrove)

- Addu Eadhigali Kilhi and Koattey (Addu Nature Park)

Protected areas in Baa atoll will be managed by Baa Atoll Biosphere Office.

Fuvahmulah Dhandimagu Kilhi wil be maintained by the Fuvahmulah City Council. Addu Eadhigali Kilhi and Koattey will be managed by Addu City Council. Both areas have a nature park.

The total size of protected areas in the Maldives is 64,095.2 hectares, a significant undertaking for the government to manage.

Currently, the Maldives has three biosphere reserves: Baa Atoll, designated as the first biosphere reserve in the country, along with Addu and Fuvahmulah.

The government has also decided to designate Lhaviyani as a biosphere reserve.

Lhaviyani atoll to be declared a biosphere reserve

The Edition