President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in his 100 day pledge, has vowed to conserve– in accordance with international standards– at least one island, one reef, and one wetland in each atoll.

As per this pledge, Bodu Thiladhunmathi houses 11 of these conserved areas and was officially regarded as protected regions under Law No. 4/93 following his cabinet meeting on June 12, 2020. Based on the input of several notable experts of environmental matters and ministries, the decision to declare these eleven sites as protected areas were made after a comprehensive discussion with the president’s cabinet.

Each of the selected areas were rich ecosystems with a wide array of both flora and fauna that needs to be sustainably preserved for the coming generations. In this regard, HA. Gallandhoo was declared a conserved hotspot for the following reasons:

HA. Gallandhoo lies on the Southern tip of the Ihavandhippolhu atoll, and is dubbed a rocky island spanning into 12 hectares. The island hosts a rich, diverse set of organisms and is home to a multitude of evergreen vegetation. 

Gallandhoo’s mangroves, wetland and surrounding reef adds into its viridian beauty, sporting notable features of a rich nature reserve. The island’s reef is famous for its vibrant coral gardens that houses schools of magnificent fishes, while its immaculate shores are used as a hatching ground for turtles of different kinds. 

HA. Gallandhoo is a hotspot for many conserved species and for this reason, the island is regarded as a protected area under Maldivian Law.

About Post Author

Mariam Shifa

See author's posts

Comments

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Discover Thiladhunmathi