Leasing of Vaavu Bodufinolhu Unlawful, Says Atoll Council

Vaavu Atoll Council has condemned the government for “unlawfully” leasing a sandbank in the atoll for tourism development.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal, Vaavu atoll council said that the sandbank was leased without consulting with the atoll council as required by law.

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The Ministry of Tourism had opened a call for proposals to develop 17 islands and lagoons across the country on 30th May.

This included an unnamed location in Vaavu atoll measuring 0.62 hectares. The acquisition cost for the location was listed as USD 729,000.

Amendments made to the Decentralisation Act in 2019 mandate any government institution to discuss with the atoll council before using, developing or leasing any uninhabited island or lagoon within any atoll.

In it’s letter, Vaavu Atoll Council highlighted that the sandbank is widely used by numerous tourism operators in Vaavu atoll as well as the neighbouring atolls Alif Alif atoll, Alif Dhaal atoll as well as Kaafu atoll.

According to the council, the sandbank is one few remaining sandbanks used by tourism operators to take guests on excursions,.

ވ.ބޮޑުފިނޮޅު ވިއްކާލުމާއި ގުޅިގެން ވ.އަތޮޅު ކައުންސިލުން ކަންބޮޑުވުން ފާޅުކޮށްފި! @Dhaurunews @Mihaarunews @AdhadhuMV @Raajje_tv @raajjemv @DhiyavaruNews @DhiyaresNews pic.twitter.com/M7zqE2MK3u— shifaq (@hussain_shifaq) July 8, 2024

“Leasing this sandbank to benefit a particular party would cost incalculable damages not only to the tourism of Vaavu Atoll but also to the tourism businesses of the surrounding atolls (businesses of Alif Alif, Alif Dhaal and Kaafu) and liveaboard businesses,” the letter signed by Council Deputy President Mohamed Imthiyaz reads.

Vaavu Thinadhoo Council President Hussain Shifaq told MV+ that Bodufinolhu is the only sandbank that is accessible during both low tide and high tide and one of the only remaining spots where birds can be sighted.

“It’s not that we are concerned about a sandbank being leased. The (central) government can lease any other sandbank, even if the atoll council agrees or doesn’t, but the law has to be followed and we have to be consulted,” he said.

Many uninhabited islands and lagoons in Vaavu Atoll – including Fohtheyo, Anbaraa, Aarah – has been leased for tourism development in recent years, Shifaq noted.

Shifaq said excursions from neighboring atolls typically include visits to the Vaavu shipwreck and the sandbank.

He also noted that the tourism ministry call for proposals did not list the name of the sandbank which added confusion.

“If they did not know the name of the sandbank, they could have asked the atoll council. But it appears very secretive when done like this” he said.

The bid for the Vaavu lagoon was reportedly won by Kaani Hotels – a group that runs luxury hotels in Kaafu Maafushi.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement,” Abdulla Nasheed, CEO of Kaani Group told global tourism website Travel and Tour World last week.

“Winning the bid for the Vaavu Lagoon signifies a new chapter for Kaani Hotels. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and we’re excited to share the beauty of the Maldives with guests in a whole new way.”

Shifaq said it had not received any communication in response to their concerns from the tourism ministry yet. He said that the tourism businesses in Vaavu and neighbouring atolls are now preparing a petition for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.