The B. Dhonfanu Council has issued a temporary ban on diving and snorkeling in an area spanning 700 meters from the island's reef as they prepare to stage a protest at sea.

The protest is planned to be held in the area earlier marked for reclamation. 

In a visit to Dhonfanu last month, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu contracted to MTCC a project to reclaim 13 hectares of land from the island's lagoon to address the resident's housing worries.

However, with rising concerns that the project would cause irreversible damage to Hanifaru Bay, located just a kilometre away from Dhonfanu, the President later announced that the project would be scrapped. 

This reversal led to protests from Dhonfanu residents, who claimed that the move is depriving them of necessary housing options. At the protests, residents called for the project to be started at the earliest. 

Dhonfanu Council released a statement where they said that the residents of the island are staging a series of protests against the government's decision. Some of these protests are to be held at sea in an area of 700 meters from the island's reef. 

The council warned that it would not be safe to snorkel or dive in the area while the protests are being staged, and placed a temporary ban on the activities. 

Diving and snorkeling in the area are banned until further notice so as to avoid the risk of dangerous incidents, the council said. 

The council further said that any persons who breach the ban will be reported to relevant authorities. 

In a post made on X last Tuesday, The President said that he had pledged to reclaim land from Dhonfanu on the request of its residents. However, he said, the government had decided to reverse the decision due to public opposition to the project. 

At the time of announcement, environmental conservationists and members of the public had been signing a petition calling for the project to be dropped. 

Hanfaru Bay is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is a protected area where manta rays and whale sharks are found, especially as they gather for feeding during the southwest monsoon. The area is hugely popular amongst tourists visiting the country, as well as locals. 

Dhonfanu Council, however, claims that about 100 out of their 400 residents are in urgent need of housing. The island lacks space to issue land plots to these residents. The council has said that the government must make arrangements to provide housing for these residents.