Climate Change, Environment and Energy Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has pledged to establish a robust system to effectively manage and maintain protected areas and islands in the Maldives. Speaking during a clean-up program on World Oceans Day, Minister Thoriq emphasized the challenges of maintaining these areas and highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing these issues urgently.
The clean-up program, held on a protected island, was a collaborative effort between the Environment Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During the event, Minister Thoriq pointed out the significant amount of waste found in protected islands like Thanburadhoo, which detracts from their natural beauty and ecological value.
“A lot of waste dumped into the sea ends up on protected islands such as Thamburadhoo, affecting their naturality. There are two areas in Thamburadhoo that attract a large number of tourists, and by keeping these areas clean, we can present a beautiful Maldives and reduce the waste in our oceans,” Minister Thoriq said.
He urged everyone to contribute to keeping the sea areas clean, as the country’s economy is closely tied to its forests and marine environments. Minister Thoriq acknowledged that while there are many ecologically protected islands in the Maldives, there is currently no effective mechanism to manage all of them. He assured that efforts are underway to establish a robust system for the proper management of all protected islands, with special priority from the President.
Muhsina Abdul Rahman, Director of Protected Areas at the Environment Ministry, told PSM News that during the Thanburadhoo clean-up operation, 60 to 70 kg of garbage was collected. She emphasized that the cleanliness of such islands can only be ensured if waste dumping into the oceans is completely stopped.
“Some of the islands that we have protected are not being treated well. We are now in the process of installing boards in protected islands to guide people on better practices. We are striving to ensure these areas are maintained in the best possible manner,” Muhsina said.
The Maldives has 91 ecologically protected areas, which include islands, lakes, ponds, mangroves, and creeks. According to the Environment Ministry, only five of these areas are currently maintained properly.
As the government intensifies its efforts to protect and preserve these vital ecological areas, Minister Thoriq’s commitment to establishing a robust management system reflects a crucial step towards safeguarding the natural heritage of the Maldives.
