President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, designated the 'Maldives Victory' shipwreck and the wetland of Kaashidhoo, Kaafu Atoll as protected sites.
The president reached the decision based on recommendations from the cabinet, following deliberations on documents virtually presented by the Ministry of Environment.
During the presentation, Minister of Environment Hussain Rasheed Hassan stated that nutrient-rich channel currents had transformed the Maldives Victory shipwreck, located southwest of Velana International Airport, into a thriving coral reef.
Victory, carrying a cargo shipment from Singapore, sank in 1981 after a colliding against Hulhule’s reef while manoeuvring through Gaadhoo Kolu. The ‘Maldives Victory’ shipwreck is the most famous and frequently dived shipwreck in the Maldives.
Highlighting the environmental significance of the Kaashidhoo wetland, Minister Hussain Rasheed stated that Kaashidoo was one of only three islands in Maldives with an indigenous tortoise population. Notably, he added that Kaashidoo reported the most frequent sightings of tortoises, compared to the other two sites.
Although the wetland is declared a protected site, the state will permit the sustainable use of the region's abundant natural resources and habitats.
Following the addition of the two aforementioned sites, the incumbent administration has thus far declared 71 sites across Maldives as protected areas under Article 4 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Act No: 4/93).
Granting protected status to at least one island, reef and mangrove, in each atoll, is one of President Solih’s electoral pledges.
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