Vaavu Atoll Council Urges Halt to Resort Development Near Protected Area
Vaavu Atoll Council has called on the Ministry of Tourism to halt the proposed development of a resort in a lagoon adjacent to a protected area in the atoll.
In a letter sent to the Ministry today, the council stated that the planned resort development in Vaavu Medhufalhu by Kaani Hotels and Tours Pvt Ltd was not discussed with the council, making the project unlawful.
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The council referred to amendments made to the Decentralisation Act in 2019, which require government institutions to consult with the atoll council before any uninhabited island or lagoon in the atoll is leased, used, or developed.
ވ.ބޮޑުފިނޮޅުގެ ބަދަލުގަ "ވ .މެދުފަޅު" @kaanihotels އަށް ދިނުމަށް @MoTmv މަސައްކަތްކުރެވެމުންދާގޮތް ޤާނޫނާއި ފުށުއަރާ. އިންވެގެން އޮތީ ހިމާޔަތްކުރެވިފަވާ މަޝްހޫރު "މިޔަރު ކަނޑު". ކަންބޮޑުވުން ފާޅުކުރަން. @EPAMaldives @MoEnvmv @presidencymv pic.twitter.com/eahz4cd44m— Shuja VAAVU RAEES (@Shuj4uAli) September 16, 2024
The council further raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed resort to the Vaavu Miyaru Kandu Sarahahdhu, a protected marine area since 1995.
According to the government’s protected areas registry, Miyaru Kandu is a narrow channel featuring overhangs and large coral formations covered with soft corals on both sides. It is known for sightings of grey reef, white-tip, and hammerhead sharks, as well as sailfish during the northeast monsoon.
