Upon the recommendation during today's online meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to designate five eco-rich sites in Faadhippolhu (Lhaviyani Atoll) as protected areas.
These sites include; Maagadhu (Anemone)Thila; Dhiffushi-Maadhoo, the northernmost island of the Atoll; Sellhifuhshi Island wetlands area; Maakoa Island; Vavvaru Island and Dhandifalhu Island reef and lagoon; Dhandifalhu Island sandbank; and Dhashugiri Island sandbank.
During today's Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Environment submitted recommendations for protected status to these areas in Lhaviyani atoll under Section 4 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Act No: 4/93). Two other areas in Lhaviyani Atoll had also previously been protected - Fushithila area, on 27th September 1995, and Kureddhoo reef and lagoon (Kureddhoo express) area, on 21st October 1999.
The state has already declared 14 areas from Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani and Noonu Atoll in addition to ‘Farikede Faru,’ a marine site in Fuvahmulah City, and 4 sites from Addu city as protected sites. The state plans to designate at least one island, one reef and one mangrove, in each atoll as protected areas.
These sites include; Maagadhu (Anemone)Thila; Dhiffushi-Maadhoo, the northernmost island of the Atoll; Sellhifuhshi Island wetlands area; Maakoa Island; Vavvaru Island and Dhandifalhu Island reef and lagoon; Dhandifalhu Island sandbank; and Dhashugiri Island sandbank.
During today's Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Environment submitted recommendations for protected status to these areas in Lhaviyani atoll under Section 4 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Act No: 4/93). Two other areas in Lhaviyani Atoll had also previously been protected - Fushithila area, on 27th September 1995, and Kureddhoo reef and lagoon (Kureddhoo express) area, on 21st October 1999.
The state has already declared 14 areas from Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani and Noonu Atoll in addition to ‘Farikede Faru,’ a marine site in Fuvahmulah City, and 4 sites from Addu city as protected sites. The state plans to designate at least one island, one reef and one mangrove, in each atoll as protected areas.
