Baa atoll is the only biosphere reserve in the country. Out of the protected areas of the biosphere reserve, Hanifaru region is renowned for its unique characteristics and beauty. This is one of the few spots around the world which are frequented by visitors who come to witness manta rays in their natural habitat.
Baa Atoll was nominated by the Government of Maldives to be declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on 28 September 2010 and UNESCO’s declaration of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve came on 28 June 2011.
The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve comprises 75 islands, 13 of which are inhabited by a population of approximately 12,000 people. 10 regions of Baa atoll was declared as part of the biosphere reserve, which includes olhagiri, dhilihaa, mendhoo, hanifaru, angafaru, bathala and goidhoo region. Hanifaru is popular amongst visitors from around the world as a top spot to witness manta rays in the Maldives.
Out reach officer of Biosphere Reserve office in Eydhafushi Shafee ali said that manta rays and whale sharks visits the hanifaru area periodically. He said they receive a large number of visitors locals and tourists, to the area during the time the rays and whale sharks frequent the hanifaru waters. He said most of the visitors are tourists who vacation at nearby resorts.
The number of researchers visiting the area is also on the rise. Biosphere reserve notes the positive impact this has on the socio-economic wellbeing of the atoll and country as a whole.
The most important activities in the area are tourism and fisheries. While resorts have become the main economic driver, tuna and reef fishing remain an important activity. Production of handicrafts and other materials for the tourist industry is also significant. Six islands have been developed as resorts for tourism and more than 350,000 tourists now visit the area each year.
Baa Atoll has a warm and humid tropical climate. The weather is dominated by two monsoon periods – a rainy monsoon period, which lasts from May to November, and a dry monsoon period, which lasts from January to March. The dominant natural environment of the reserve is marine, surrounded by deep Ocean. The water depth varies considerably and includes lagoons with depths ranging from 30 m to 80 m, opening into the Indian Ocean. The lagoons enclose a variety of reef structures including faros, micro-atolls, patch reefs and knolls.
The main habitat types found in the reserve are coral reefs, islands, sea grass beds and mangroves. Coral reefs are the most important habitat type in terms of area as well as biodiversity. Maldivian coral reefs are home to the richest diversity in the region and are the seventh largest in the world, accounting for 5% of the world’s reef area.
The coral reefs support a high diversity of reef animals, including approximately 250 species of corals and 1,200 reef and reef-associated fish species, a population of marine turtles, manta rays (Manta birostris), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and seabirds. These also include threatened and endangered species.