President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, has decided to designate six sites of environmental significance at Laamu Atoll – including locally loved Pari Fengandu – as protected.
Six sites situated at the islands L. Gan, L. Maabaidhoo, L. Vadinolhu, L. Gaadhoo, and L. Hithadhoo were designated as environmentally protected during a cabinet meeting held today. The sites which received protected status include wetlands, reefs, lagoons, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and beaches.
L. Maabaidhoo wetlands which was declared environmentally protected. (Photo/Raappe Photography)
The decision was made following deliberations on a paper proposed by the Environment Ministry.
The six sites declared protected are amongst marine habitats earlier this year declared as "Hope Spots" by the international marine conservation non-profit Mission Blue.
As part of the current administration’s pledge to protect at least one island, one reef, and one wetland from each atoll – a total of 14,423 hectares have been declared as marine protected areas under the Environment Protection and Preservation Act.