The southern island of Fuvahmulah in the Maldives has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
This declaration took place today in the 32nd session of UNESCO International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program.
The Government of Maldives nominated Fuvahmulah as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on September 17, 2019.
Fuvahmulah is a lagoon-less lone island located in the Huvadhoo Kandu or One and Half Degree Channel in the south of Maldives. The eco-rich island has a diverse range of habitats like woodlands, wetlands, freshwater lakes and marshland areas in addition to the Maldives' iconic white sandy beaches. The island also has beaches of other variations including pebble and gravel sediments.
UNESCO has designated three core areas at Fuvahmulah; two areas around the freshwater lakes of Dhandimagu Kilhi and Bandaara Kilhi, and the Farekede region in the sea, just immediately south of Fuvahmulah.
No work of any sort that harms the natural environment will be permitted in the designated core areas, and each core area is surrounded by a buffer zone for protection. All other areas of Fuvahmulah's landmass is designasted as transitional area, meaning these areas can be used for residential purpose and infrastructure development can also take place.
The two freshwater lakes of Fuvahmulah are iconic symbols of the island, often visited by local and foriegn travellers frequently. Dhandimagu Kilhi also is the location of Fuvahmulah's Nature Park, where visitors can enjoy swimming, canoeing, pedal boating or biking. The Nature Park is supported by the EU-funded Climate Chande Adaptation Project (CCAP).
Farekede, the most recent addition from Fuvahmulah to the Government of Maldives-declared list of protected areas, is a location where sharks and other marine organisms come to breed.
Moreover, the iconic Thoondu beach at the northern tip is a special location for social and environmental reasons. Apart from the many community events and special occasions taking place at the Thoondu, every year the beach experiences a natural phenomenon. The phenomenon--locally known as Bissaaveli--occurs when part of the beach's sand moves away from the shore and towards the edge of the reef. This movement of sediments create a shallow lagoon enclosed from all sides.
Maldives Minister of Environment Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan today sent out a congratulatory tweet for Fuvahmulah's designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
"Congratulations to the people of Fuvahmulah! Your vision for sustainable development has earned your biodiversity-rich unique island the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve," tweeted the Minister.
Currently there is only one UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives--the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve. The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve in the North-Central region of Maldives is a location frequented by manta rays and whalesharks.
Addu Atoll, the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, will also be declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve later today.
