The first ever Manta Festival of Maldives which was jointly organized by Manta Trust, Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll Council and Dharavandhoo Council was held on the island of Dharavandhoo on 24 November.

 

Hats off to all those involved in making this event a reality; 200+ students, , 12 schools, 1000+ visitors, presentations on environmental themes, competitions, over 12 resorts involved , with participation from dive schools and involvement of guest houses and many more helping hands summed up the event.

 

The Guest of honour of the Manta Festival 2018 was ex-Maldives President, Mr.Mohamed Nasheed and the festival was also attended by the newly appointed Minister for Environment Dr.Hussain Rasheed Hassan. President Nasheed, Minister Hassan, President of Baa Atoll Council Mr.Mabrook Naseer, Managing Director of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund Mr.Abdulla Shibau and Vice President of host island Council Mr. Ali addressed the gathering at the opening ceremony of the festival.

 

Prizes were also given away for the winners of the competions organized for the event which included art, potography and manta sculpture.

 

Baa Atoll Manta Festival 2018 was a huge success and it was indeed a great team effort by the organizers. Maldivian Manta Ray Project - Manta Trust , Biosphere Reserve Maldives.Baa Atoll, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Baa Atoll Council and Dharavandhoo Council.

 

We would like to thank all our sponsors and well wishers namely:; Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Maldives Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Reethi Beach Resort Amilla Fushi Milaidhoo Vakkaru Maldives Soneva Fushi Dusit Thani Maldives Kihaa Maldives Finolhu Four Seasons Resort Maldives At Landaa Giraavaru, Aveyla Maldives, Kihaa Maldives, LVIS blancura, Olive Ridley Project, Parley, Maldives Atoll Marine Centre, Sea-Explorer Maldives, Cressi, Manta Reisen, Liquid Salt Divers, DiveOceanus Royal Island, Ocean Dimensions, Dharavandhoo Divers Maldives, Eydhafushi Times, Public Service Media, Ocean Group Maldives, Island Art Maldives, Blue World Dharavandhoo, Island Aviation Servicesm Environmental Protection Agency of Maldives on behalf of the organizers for Manta Festival 2018 for being part of the Festival and making it a success.

 

 

 

The first Board meeting of 2019 of the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund was held on 28 Januray 2019 at the Ministry of Environment and the meetings was attended by 8 participants from 7 stakeholder organisations. (Environment Protection Agency, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaagiraavaru, Local Government Authority, Maldives Boating Association, Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, Ministry of Environment)

 

The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Environmental Protection Agency, Mr.Ibrahim Naeem.

 

The Agenda items for the day included

(a).Approval and Discussion of BR Office Workplan 2019 and Office/BACF Budget 2019,

(b) Update of activities undertaken BR Office in 2018

(c) Discussions on Hanifaru Management Plan

(d) BACF Grants for the next cycle

(e) Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Periodic Review

(f) Discussion on Other Issues

 

The following decisions was taken by BACF Board in its meeting held on 28 January 2019:

 

1. The value of the next cycle of grants from BACF to be officially announced once the Atoll Council has completed all paperwork in relation to the proposed projects to be funded in 2019 upon approval by BACF Board.

2. Priority to be given to Baa Atoll Council as the Grant recipient for 2019 and the Atoll Council to come up with tangible outputs for all islands after communicating with all Island Councils.

3.The Workplan of BR Office 2019 and BR OFFICE/BACF budget as approved as presented.

4. Inform all resorts stating that they should become partners of the BR.

5. Put on hold Dive School partnership agreements until further notice. 

5. Inform all stakeholders on Baa Atoll BR periodic review and to seek supportfrom all involved in maintaining the BR status for Baa Atoll.

Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office together with Baa Atoll Conservation Fund have concluded visits to 12 resorts in the atoll.

 

The main purpose of the visit to the resorts was introducing the work carried out by Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office especially to the newly opened resort managements and dives schools of the atoll and build on the established partnerships that alreay exists.

 

During the 5 day trip discussions was held on the activities planned for 2019 under the three programs of Baa Atoll BR Office; CConservation, Education and Awareness and Livelihood.

Information was also be provided on the latest development in relation to World UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and on the upcoming periodic review by UNESCO of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserveand identifying how new partnerships could be forged with the newly functional establishments.

The team is led by the Managing Director of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund Mr. Abdulla Shibau, accompanied by the Officer in-charge of BR Office Mr.Shafee Ali together with the Conservation Officer and the Rangers who are working at BR Office.

 

The 5 day trip started on 26 March visiting Westin Maldives, Vakkaru Maldives and Coco Palm Dhunikolhu on the firts day ending the day with a meeting with the Olive Ridley Project Team on Coco Palm Dhunikolhu.

 

On the second day the team visited Dhigufaru Island Resort, Milaidhoo , Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and Manta Trust  where details discussions were held with regards to Manta Festival 2019 and the "Moodhu Madharusaa" - Ocean School organized by Manta Trust to be carried out in Baa Atoll in association with Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office.

On the thrd day the team visited Reethi Beach Resort, Dreamland The Unique Sea & Lake Resort Spa and Dusit Thani Maldives and on the last day the team had the pleasure of visting the newest meber of the resosrt family in Baa Atoll namely The Nautilus.

 

The trip was a huge success as a lot of issues were covered and way forwards were agreed.