The Special Envoy for Climate Change Sabra Noordeen has revealed that the government aims to increase the number of environmentally protected areas to 130 this year. She made the remark at the International Forum on the Sustainable Ocean Management in the Maldives and Indian Ocean.
Speaking at the forum, Special Envoy Sabra highlighted the importance of protecting the marine life in a delicate natural ecosystem such as the Maldives. She said the latest scientific findings confirm that the environmental challenges in the country are caused by global warming, which damages the coral reefs.
Additionally, Sabra shed light on the efforts being made by the government at the policy level. As such, she said that 79 areas in the Maldives have been designated as protected area, which make up 13% of the country’s coral reefs, adding that the government aims to increase the number of protected areas to 130 this year.
Furthermore, Sabra said pole and line fishing is a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of fishing which prevents the depletion of ocean resources in the Maldives. She also noted the government’s pledge to stop single-use plastics and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 as well as improve waste management in the country.
The International Forum on the Sustainable Ocean Management in the Maldives and Indian Ocean was organised by the Ocean Policy Research Institute. The forum was inaugurated at Hotel Jen by United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson.