Thanburudhoo island declared protected

Thanburudhoo island, located in Kaafu atoll, in the central region of the Maldives | Photo: Avas

Male’, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared Thanburudhoo island located near the capital, Male’, as a protected island

The decision to extend the protected area of Thaburodhoo lagoon to include the island was made upon the recommendation of the cabinet, following deliberations on a paper presented by the Ministry of Environment at the online Cabinet meeting held today.

A technical survey report on the unique features of ‘Thanburudhoo Island,’ prepared by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and a paper named ‘Thanburudhoo Island as a Natural Heritage’ prepared by the Maldives Surfing Association was presented during today’s Cabinet meeting, following which deliberations were carried out and President Solih granted protected area status to ‘Thanburudhoo Island,’ an eco-rich site in Kaafu Atoll, for its naturally unique features and diverse surroundings.

The government of Maldives has now declared 24 sites in seven atolls as protected areas, including 11 sites in Kaafu Atoll, under Article 4 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Act No: 4/93).

According to the President’s Office the current administration of Maldives plans to designate at least one island, one reef, and one mangrove, in each atoll as a protected area.