Five areas in Lhaviyani Atoll declared as protected

Ministry of Environment and Engergy has declared five areas in the Lhaviyani Atoll as protected areas.

The newly declared protected islands are, Sellhifushi swamp area, Maako, Vahvaru, Dhandifalhu reef drop off and the Dhashugiri sand bank area.

The Ministry said that the areas actively declared as protected from yesterday was decided by the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at a cabinet meeting on 29 September 2020.

The most important basis for protecting these areas are the traditional knowledge and the research reports along with expert opinions from fishermen, farmers and island organizations.

At the cabinet meeting to make the decision, the Environment Ministry said that there were two areas of Lhaviyani Atoll that were declared as protected in the past. They are the Fushifaru shallows on 27 September 1995 and the Kurehdhoo reef drop off on 21 October 1999.

Environment Minister, Dr. Hussain Rasheed spoke at the meeting saying that the protection of these areas would benefit the younger generations and held develop eco-tourism and integrated tourism.

Under the first phase of the government’s promise to protect at least one island, one reef and one swamp in each atoll, 14 areas in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll and Noonu Atoll have been declared as protected along with four areas in Addu City and the south east part of Fuvahmulah City.