Maldives

The government has decided to develop the first marine national park of the Maldives, and the project has been contracted to a private party today.

The first marine national park of the country would be developed in a reef area near Noon Atoll Edhdhuffaru and in the ocean area around the place. The park would include reefs, deep ocean and some lagoons and a number of islands as well.

The project has been contracted to Mohamed Hameed, Maafunage, N. Kudafaree who will undertake it as a promoter. An agreement has been signed between him and Ministry of Housing and Environment today. Hameed said today that the actual work would be conducted by a voluntary foundation, which would be established soon. The government would hold 51 per cent of the shares in the foundation.

Hameed said the government would not inject any money into the project, and that all funds would be raised through foreign aid.

Hameed expressed hope that the project would greatly contribute to the development of Noonu Atoll. He also said that programs for environmental research of the area and programs for educating, training and awareness on the program would soon begin.