In accord with the unanimous advice of the cabinet, and upholding one of his key pledges to the Maldivian people, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared that in every atoll a minimum of one island, one atoll and one wetland will henceforth be regarded as protected areas.
Under The Environmental Protection Act, 11 areas in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll and Noonu Atoll were granted the status of protected areas. The protected areas include wetlands, mangroves and surrounding reefs and lagoons in Gallandhoo, Kela, Bilehdhoo, Finey, Innafushi, Bolisafaru, Naalaahura, Fohdhihparu, Bodulhaimendhoo, Kendhikulhudhey and Orismathila.
The decision to declare the areas as protected areas was based on the input of several sources experienced and knowledgeable on environmental matters, and further, with the input of several relevant ministries, including Ministry of Environment and Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure. Each of the areas were determined to be rich ecosystems containing a multiplicity of species of both flora and fauna, important to be preserved for subsequent generations of Maldivians.