Nasheed: Dhonfanu would earn more by keeping Hanifaru Bay undisturbed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed stated on Sunday that maintaining the "undisturbed" status of Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, would significantly boost the income of residents in Dhonfanu.

In a post on X, Nasheed highlighted that the "proposed dredging" poses a threat of damage to Hanifaru Bay, which he described as "a globally famous tourist hotspot." Despite his concerns regarding the environmental impact, Nasheed's post did not explicitly call for a reconsideration of the dredging project.

The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded a contract to reclaim 13 hectares of land in Dhonfanu, an island with a population of only 400.

Environmental activists launched a petition on Change.org on September 3, urging a halt to the ongoing dredging operations in Dhonfanu, Baa Atoll. They cite potential detrimental impacts on Hanifaru Bay, emphasizing its crucial role as a feeding and mating ground for several endangered marine species in the Maldives. The petition underscores the intrinsic link between the livelihoods of many islanders, who depend on tourism and fishing, and these vital marine areas.

The dredging project is perceived as a threat not only to the survival of individual species inhabiting Hanifaru Bay but also to the future of the island communities whose existence is deeply tied to the sea.

The petition has garnered nearly 5,000 signatures to date.