The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy is working to expand environmental protection areas in the Maldives this year.
As part of efforts to protect the environment, the government has identified environmentally important sites in each atoll and is working to designate them as protected zones.
Ahmed Saan, Manager at the Environment Management and Conservation Department, said 93 areas have been officially protected so far, with some under regular monitoring. He said some protected areas receive little public use and therefore require minimal monitoring.
Saan said the number of protected areas in the Maldives remains a very small percentage compared to the Maldives’ geographical area. He said two additional areas are expected to be declared protected soon, with work scheduled to begin within the next two months. These areas are located in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Further surveys are also planned this year, including additional areas in Thaa Atoll for future designation.
A €4 million grant has been signed with the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) to support conservation efforts, including mangrove protection. Mangrove conservation is part of efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.