Minister: Just five out of all protected areas being properly monitored

Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim states only five out of all protected areas in the Maldives are being properly monitored.

The Minister was summoned to the Parliament for questioning on Monday during which he underscored that despite there being 93 protected areas in the Maldives, only five of them are properly monitored.

Nevertheless, he affirmed that the current government aims to protect as many areas as possible and in this trajectory, formulate management plans to ensure they are properly monitored.

“We are seeking ways to monitor and manage additional areas in addition to the five areas (that are currently monitored),” he said.

In this regard, Minister Thoriq said the Ministry was undertaking efforts to train individuals and secure funding to support these efforts; funds which he said the Ministry is receiving.

During an earlier press conference, the Minister revealed having received a large number of proposals in the opportunity opened by the government earlier to develop nature parks in every single atoll.