Public Service Media (PSM) has begun a series of on‑site evaluation visits as part of the inaugural “Chaalu Dhivehi Raajje Award,” a national initiative designed to honour local islands that excel in environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and sustainable community development.
The evaluation team, led by PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb and comprising senior PSM officials and members of the award’s judging panel, started its itinerary in Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll. There, the team inspected nominated sites and gathered first‑hand information through direct interaction with residents. Over the coming weeks, the team will visit all 14 islands that advanced to the second round after an initial pool of 50 applicants across seven categories.
Business Development Executive at PSM’s Project Land and Development Department, Aishath Liva Ziyad, emphasised the award’s commitment to transparency.
According to Liva, in order to safeguard public trust, the final determinations in each category will be verified through an independent audit firm while scoring and quality assessments will be conducted by independent experts assigned to each category, with no influence from PSM.
The award’s scoring model combines expert judgment and public participation. In the first round of voting, the top five islands in each category were identified where these islands will now receive professional evaluations that account for 60 percent of their final score. The remaining 40 percent will be decided by public voting on the same five shortlisted islands per category.
First‑round top‑five selections (by category):
Most Captivating Island Destination: Rasgetheemu, Raa Atoll (Kan’du Jetty), Naivaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll (Naivaadhoo Cave), Mathiveri, Alifu Alifu Atoll (Mathiveri Finolhu), Hithadhoo, Laamu Atoll (Hithadhoo Kulhi), Dhangethi, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (Handhu Dhangethi)
Most Responsible Island Tourism: Ukulhas (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Mathiveri (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Kudarikilu (Baa Atoll), Dhigurah (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll), Dhangethi (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll)
Cleanest, Most Eco‑Friendly Island: Mathiveri (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Kudarikilu (Baa Atoll), Rinbudhoo (Dhaalu Atoll), Ukulhas (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Keyodhoo (Vaavu Atoll)
Most Innovative Concept in Sustainable Development: Ukulhas (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Kudarikilu (Baa Atoll), Dhangethi (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll), Mathiveri (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Fuvahmulah City
Most Cohesive Community: Naivaadhoo (Haa Dhaalu Atoll), Kudarikilu (Baa Atoll), Ukulhas (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Mathiveri (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Keyodhoo (Vaavu Atoll)
Most Beautiful Beach: Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll (Guraidhoo Beach), Hinnavaru, Lhaviyani Atoll (Hinnavaru Reethi Beach), Ukulhas, Alifu Alifu Atoll (Ukulhas Natural Beach), Mathiveri, Alifu Alifu Atoll (Mathiveri Beach), Mandhoo, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (Mandhoo Thundi)
The “Chaalu Dhivehi Raajje Award” aims to foster civic pride, encourage sustainable lifestyles rooted in local tradition, and boost island‑based tourism by showcasing exemplary community achievements at a national level.