Minister Thoriq: Govt Aims to Generate Revenue from Protected Areas While Ensuring Sustainability

The government is intensifying efforts to safeguard its protected environmental areas while strategically leveraging them for economic growth, according to Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim. He described the initiative as a means to generate revenue from these sites while ensuring the continued preservation of the nation's fragile marine ecosystem, a vital pillar of its globally recognised tourism industry.

Protecting the Maldives' natural landscapes, particularly its vast marine territories, remains central to the country's identity. In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Minister Thoriq underscored the importance of maintaining these environments, which provide a habitat for diverse bird and animal species, fish populations, and coral reefs. He noted that a significant portion of visitors choose the Maldives precisely for its untouched natural beauty and thriving underwater biodiversity.

Despite having designated 93 protected areas, only five are currently under sustainable management, according to the minister. He stressed the need for conservation models that not only preserve ecological integrity but also support financial viability, marking a shift toward a more economically sustainable approach.

"The Maldives has successfully implemented sustainable management in three biosphere reserves: Addu Nature Park, Fuvahmulah Nature Park, and Baa Atoll Nature Park," he elaborated. "In addition, the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area is also maintained under sustainable practices. The government is actively pursuing the designation of Lhaviyani Atoll as a biosphere reserve."

A substantial number of protected sites remain inadequately maintained, a concern Minister Thoriq views as pressing. He underscored the necessity of developing comprehensive maintenance strategies and income-generating mechanisms, enabling these areas to be showcased effectively to international visitors.

The long-term objective, he explained, is to ensure that once protected sites are sustainably managed and optimised for tourism, they will begin to yield economic benefits. Such an approach aligns with the Maldives' reputation as "Paradise on Earth", a designation earned through its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters that continue to attract travellers worldwide.

Environmental conservation remains central to President Muizzu's administration. A key policy initiative includes the establishment of a nature park in every atoll, along with the creation of three additional biosphere reserves; an effort that reinforces the nation's commitment to preserving its natural assets while integrating economic sustainability.