Fuvahmulah, Addu nominated as biosphere reserves

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made the decision to nominate Fuvahmulah City and Addu City – the two southernmost atolls of Maldives – as UNESCO biosphere reserves.

President’s Office confirms the President made the decision at a Cabinet meeting last Tuesday.

According to the office, the purpose of the decision is to ensure sustainable protection and preservation of the natural beauty and marine life of the two atolls, and to acquire benefits from the natural resources in the two atolls in a sustainable manner.

“Once these two atolls are established as biosphere reserves, it will open the door for additional economic benefits from conservation sites located in the two atolls,” said the President’s Office.

It said the areas in the biosphere reserves will be divided into three categories; the core area, buffer zone, and multi-use area.

Addu and Fuvahmulah already has several conservation sites.

CONSERVATION SITES IN ADDU:

• Koattey area of Hithadhoo
• Eidhigali mangrove lake
• Kandihera area - a habitat for manta ray
• British Loyalty shipwreck

CONSERVATION SITES IN FUVAHMULAH:

• Bandaara mangrove lake
• Dhadimagu mangrove lake
• Thundi beach area

The Maldivian government is scheduled to submit its nomination to UNESCO for endorsement.