Five eco-rich areas of Lhaviyani Atoll in the central region of Maldives has been designated as protected areas.
The Maldivian government announced the designation of the areas as protected yesterday.
The protected areas are:
- Maagadhu (Anemone) Thila (Lagoon)
- Dhiffushi-Maadhoo which is 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.
In an online cabinet meeting yesterday, the Environment Ministry shared the reasons for recommending the protected status of these areas such as research reports, first-hand reports from craftsmen in the area including fishermen and farmers.
The Environment Ministry also noted that two other areas in the atoll had also previously been protected -
The previously protected sites are:
- Fushithila area, on 27th September 1995
- Kureddhoo reef and lagoon (Kureddhoo express) area, on 21st October 1999
The protected status of the regions mean that infrastructure development projects in Lhaviyani Atoll known traditionally as Faadhippolhu will be conducted without affecting these areas. The Environment Ministry stated that protecting these areas will benefit future generations through eco-tourism as well as integrated tourism.
The Maldivian government had earlier 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.
