President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to extend the protected area of Thanburudhoo lagoon to include Thanburudhoo Island. He made this decision upon the recommendation of his cabinet, following deliberations on a paper presented by the Ministry of Environment at the online cabinet meeting held on November 5.
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 the cabinet meeting. Following deliberations, 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 administration 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. The administration plans to designate at least one island, one reef, and one mangrove, in each atoll as a protected area.