The southern atoll of Maldives, Addu Atoll, has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The Government of Maldives nominated Addu City to be given the status of Biosphere Reserve September 17, 2019.
After reviewing the nomination, UNESCO declared Addu Atoll as a Biosphere Reserve today. This declaration took place in the 32nd session of UNESCO International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program today.
This declaration comes after Addu Atoll's northern neighbor Fuvahmulah's declaration as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve earlier today.
The geographical atoll of Addu is home to the Maldives' second city--Addu City, incorporated in 2011. The city comprises of two main landmasses; Hithadhoo and adjoining islands where the districtions of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo are located on, and the eastern island of Hulhumeedhoo where Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo districts are on.
Addu City is the second biggest population center in the Maldives after the capital Malé City.
The eco-rich atoll has some notable landmarks including wetlands like the large freshwater lake of Eedhigali Kilhi and Koattey in Hithadhoo island, home to the Addu Nature Park.
In 2018, the Government of Maldives declared two marine areas--Kandihera channel frequented by manta rays, and the famous British Loyalty Shipwreck--as marine protected areas. Recently four other areas of Addu were also declared marine protected areas by the Government of Maldives. The declaration in September gave protected status to Kuda Kandu dive site; Maa Kilhi and Fehele Kilhi mangroves in Hithadhoo; and Maafishi Kilhi and Mathi Kilhi on Hulhumeedhoo.
Some other landmarks in Addu include the Southernmost Point of Maldives on Gan island, remnants of the British Royal Air Force architecture in Gan and Hithadhoo, and the Maldives' oldest cemetery, the Koagannu Gaburusthaan in Meedhoo.
Addu City's Gan island houses an international airport--Gan International Airport--and the city also has four resorts; Equator Village, the transit hotel on Gan, Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa on the island of Villingili, Canareef Maldives on the island of Herathera and the recently opened South Palm Resort Maldives on Ismehela Hera.
Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictive measures, only Equator Village is open for in Addu City. Local media reported today that a guesthouse on the district of Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Wave Sound by 3S, has also been given approval for opening by the Ministry of Tourism.
Today at the 32nd session of the UNESCO International Coordinating Council of the Man and Biosphere Program, Maldives Minister of Environment Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan stressed on the importance of the Biosphere Reserve statuses Fuvahmulah and Addu Atolls received.
“Today is also a historic day for the whole Maldives, a nation of coral atolls and reefs that depend heavily on these wonders of nature for their livelihoods and sustenance, which at the same time is threatened by climate change and unsustainable use of natural resources,” said the Minister.
Apart from today's two newly declared Biosphere Reserves, Maldives also has a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, where manta rays and whalesharks frequent.
