LGA orders revocation of diving ban in Dhonfanu reef

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has ordered the revocation of the B. Dhonfanu Council's temporary ban on diving and snorkeling in an area spanning 700 meters from the island's reef, stating it was an unlawful order. 

In a statement, LGA clarified that under Article 56-3(a) of the Decentralization Act, councils have jurisdiction over areas excluding protected zones, but all Maldivians retain the right to engage in activities there, unless prohibited by law, without needing additional permits. 

Citing this provision, the LGA said that the Dhonfanu Council's ban on diving and snorkeling in an area spanning 700 meters from its reef is unlawful.

"As councils do not have the prerogative to make such decisions, we revoke the council's ban," the statement reads. 

Dhonfanu Council issued the temporary ban yesterday as residents are planning to stage a protest at sea against the government's decision to halt the previously planned land reclamation project. 

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has also warned that this closure could harm the Maldives’ reputation as a leading global travel destination.

According to MATATO, the restriction spans up to 700 meters from the reef, effectively closing off a significant area used daily by safari vessels, guesthouses, and dive operators.

“This isn’t just about one community. Thousands of jobs, from safari boats and guesthouses to resorts, rely on access to this marine area,” MATATO said in a statement.

Dhonfanu's protests follow the government's decision to halt a previously planned land reclamation project, a move made after widespread public concern over the potential environmental damage to the protected Hanifaru bay close to the island.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay is home to several endangered species and is a critical nesting site for turtles, seabirds, and tropical marine life. Its rich biodiversity and clear waters make it one of the Maldives’ most popular snorkeling and diving spots, drawing hundreds of visitors each day.