Ministry of Finance has revealed that USD4.2 million was utilised from the Green Fund in February to fund 38 projects.
The latest Green Fund Report published by the finance ministry shows that the Green Fund was utilised to fund projects such as establishing coastal protection, water supply, waste management, and sewerage systems in various parts of the country. The report shows the biggest contribution in February was made to the development of coastal protection structures in Kurendhoo in Lhaviyani Atoll with USD934,000, the development of coastal protection structures in Kolhufushi in Meemu Atoll with USD707,000, and the development of a water supply system in Himmafushi in Kaafu Atoll with USD324,000.
The Green Fund received USD5.9 million in Green Tax in February from resorts, guesthouses, liveaboards, and homestay establishments. As such, resorts contributed to USD5.8 million of the revenue.
The Green Fund was introduced in 2016 with the aim of tackling environmental issues in the Maldives as per the Tourism Act of the Maldives. As such, USD6 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they spend at a resort or a hotel in the Maldives, and USD3 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they stay at a guesthouse.