The Ministry of Tourism has revealed land reclamation will not be allowed as part of the tender opened for the resort development of Boahuraa in Meemu Atoll.
In a statement, the tourism ministry said Boahuraa was opened for tender without permission to reclaim the island. The island will be developed as a resort and access to the island will also be arranged via the harbour in Muli under an agreement between the resort developers and the Muli Island Council, said the tourism ministry.
Furthermore, the tourism ministry assured the boundary of Boahuraa does not include the famous surf point near the island. The tourism ministry said the boundary of Boahuraa will be determined after demarcating the surf point under Section 8 of the Rules on Demarcation of Lagoon Area for the Development of Tourist Resorts, Tourist Hotels, Tourist Guest Houses and Yacht Harbours.
The ministry is working on a site management plan to make such surf points accessible to both the public and tourists. If the lagoon of the resort to be developed includes diving areas, snorkeling or surfing areas and other areas designated by the ministry as tourist attractions, the lagoon area of the resort shall exclude such areas, according to the rules. The ministry shall also make a public announcement of the designated areas and make a public announcement of the determined rules on the use of such areas.
Boahuraa, an island about 3h located in the same lagoon as Muli, is a popular destination for travel and surfing.