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Protected areas in Addu, Fuvahmulah handed over to councils

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology has handed over the responsibility of the protected areas in Addu City and Fuvahmulah City to the respective city councils.

As part of the government's work to decentralise environment protection, the city councils have been tasked with preserving and maintaining the protected areas and nature parks in Addu and Fuvahmulah. The agreements were signed by Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology Aminath Shauna, Mayor of Addu City Ali Nizaar, and Mayor of Fuvahmulah City Ismail Rafeeq.

As part of the agreement, Addu City Council is now responsible for maintaining the Addu Nature Park as well as the Eedhigali Kilhi and Kottey Protected Area in the city. Fuvahmulah City Council is responsible for maintaining the Fuvahmulah Nature Park and the two lakes in the city.

At the virtual event, Minister Shauna said these areas provide various environmental, economic, and social benefits to the residents of both cities. She also said the government is working to gain protected status for ocean areas in three atolls as part of the plan to preserve 20 percent of the Maldivian oceans and connected areas by 2030.

Furthermore, the city councils highlighted the economic benefits residents would receive from handing over the protected areas to the councils since the areas are popular among Maldivians and tourists.