Ministry of Environment, on Thursday, granted 'protected status' to five eco-rich sites in Lhaviyani Atoll under the Environment Protection and Preservation Act.
The areas granted protected status are Maagadhu (Anemone) Thila, Dhiffushi-Maadhoo, the northernmost island of the Atoll, Sellhifushi Island wetlands area, Maakoa Island, Vavvaru Island and Dhandifalhu Island reef and lagoon, Dhandifalhu Island sandbank and Dhashugiri Island sandbank.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih confirmed the decision to protect the aforementioned areas, with the recommendation of the cabinet, at the end of September.
At the time, the Environment Ministry submitted a document citing reasons behind the move, adding that the progress of infrastructure at Lhaviyani Atoll was set to continue and that the development would not affect the soon to be protected zones.
The ministry further noted that the preservation of these areas would benefit future generations through eco-tourism as well as integrated tourism.
The Solih administration earlier declared 14 areas from Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani and Noonu Atoll in addition to ‘Farikede Faru,’ a marine site in Fuvahmulah City, and 4 sites from Addu city as protected sites, under Section 4 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act. The Solih administration pledged to designate at least one island, one reef and one mangrove, in each atoll as protected areas.
Despite the state’s efforts to declare eco-rich areas as protected sites in an attempt at environment conservation, local environmental collective ‘Save Maldives’ recently slammed President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the government for continuing unsustainable development projects such as the reclamation of Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll, reportedly funded by foreign loans of USD 300 million.
Save Maldives had criticised President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration earlier in February as well, for disregarding sustainable development in a time of national and global crisis. At the time, the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure had overturned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s rejection for the proposed development of Maafaru International Airport.
Then on May 6, the government revealed its decision to move ahead with the reclamation of 30 hectares of land in Gulhifalhu for the development of facilities for the purpose of providing accommodation for 40,000 expatriates.
Over the last two years, numerous advocates took to social media echoing similar sentiments as that which was expressed by Save Maldives, accusing the government of failing to 'walk the talk' and live up to electoral pledges made with respect to sustainable development and halting environmental degradation.
Moreover, although Maldives has been at the forefront of climate advocacy since 1987, with Former President and incumbent Parliament Speaker Nasheed appealing to the international community as recently as during 2019's COP24 summit, several Maldivians have continued to express opinions that across administrations, government attitudes on the matter remain slack.
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