Vaavu Atoll residents protest Bodufinolhu’s lease for resort development

Vaavu Atoll residents have staged a protest over the leasing of Bodufinolhu, a sandbank and the surrounding lagoon, for resort development by the government.

The protest was organized jointly by the residents of Vaavu Atoll’s Thinadhoo, Felidhoo, Fulhidhoo and Keyodhoo. It was also participated by the main opposition MDP’s Keydhoo MP Mohamed Niushad.

The main concern raised by protestors pertains to the leasing of the only remaining location for tourist excursions – which had come after a large number of islands from the atoll were also leased for tourism development within a short timeframe. 

In this regard, the protestors, underscoring Bodufinolhu can be accessed during both low and high tides, said it is utilized by resorts from not only Vaavu Atoll, but neighboring atolls, for tourist excursions.

Speaking at the protest, MP Niushad said the Bodufinolhu was leased in violation of the Decentralization Act, without consulting with the atoll’s council.

“The Atoll Council became aware of this from a news article which read that Bodufinolhu had been leased by the government to some party for the development of a resort,” the lawmaker said during an interview to local media outlet, Raajje TV.

Niushad cited the protestors’ wish as the allocation of another location for the party which won the bid after consultations with the atoll council and the Vaavu Atoll’s guesthouse community.

“This place is not utilized by just Vaavu Atoll, but also resorts and guesthouses from Kaafu Atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll and Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and by a large number of safaris in the Maldives as well,” he noted.

Niushad said the case will be submitted to the Parliament’s Decentralization Committee.

Tourism Ministry opened bid applications for five lagoons and 12 islands for tourism development back in May, which included the development of a resort by reclaiming a lagoon in Vaavu Atoll.

Vaavu Atoll Council had raised concerns back then, citing the lagoon was opened for tourism development without consulting with the council.

Apart from Male’ Atoll, Vaavu Atoll is among the regions where tourism is thriving in the central Maldives.