Crossroads Maldives has achieved a major conservation milestone with a 1.71 square kilometre area within Emboodhoo Lagoon officially recognized as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM) by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy. It is now the largest designated OECM site in the country.
The recognized area forms an ecological corridor adjacent to SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SO/ Maldives.
OECMs are endorsed by the ministry as areas that deliver long term, in situ biodiversity conservation outside traditional protected zones. The site is managed by the Crossroads OECM unit in collaboration with government agencies, private sector partners and local communities.
Since opening in 2019, Crossroads Maldives has implemented conservation focused management practices, including drone surveillance, underwater cameras and GPS monitoring, the company stated. Surveys have recorded over 37 coral genera, 177 reef fish species, and 24 IUCN Red List species, including critically endangered Hawksbill Turtles, Ornate Eagle Rays, Bowmouth Guitarfish, Giant Guitarfish, and Scalloped Hammerheads. The area also protects a key migration route for spinner and bottlenose dolphins, with sighting probabilities reaching 86 percent.
Singha Estate CEO Chairath Sivapornpan said, "The recognition of Crossroads Maldives as an OECM demonstrates that integrating nature into business decisions from the outset can deliver measurable results. In biodiversity-rich destinations, development should begin with understanding and preserving nature's intrinsic value for the long term."
"We see biodiversity as a vital asset and foundation for long term business value. This OECM recognition reflects our ongoing commitment and marks another step towards the globe 30x30 target, reinforcing our ambition to create lasting value for business, nature, society, and local communities across every destination in which we operate."
S Hotels & Resorts CEO Michael Marshall said, "For us at S Hotels & Resorts, conservation is not something that sits alongside our operations, it is part of how we operate. The recognition of Crossroads Maldives as an OECM is a significant milestone in SHR's sustainable development strategy and our commitment to protecting 30 percent of key biodiversity areas."
"This recognition is both a testament to what we have achieved and a motivation to go further, strengthening our conservation efforts and creating lasting value for people, nature and the destinations where we operate," he added.
The designation is expected to benefit local communities, nearby islands, researchers, government partners and visitors. It will also help safeguard dive sites such as Emboodhoo Canyon and create opportunities for Maldivian students and researchers to engage in marine consre
