BACF Team concludes visit
The team from the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund has concluded its visit to Baa Atoll after visiting all the 13 inhabited islands having met Atoll Council, Island Councils, NGOs, Women’s Development Committees, schools and to the community. The first island the team visited was Fehendhoo on 5 December and the last inhabited island to be visited by the BACF team was Hithaadhoo on 10 December.
During the meetings held on each island BACF provided information on the proposed grants by BACF and answered questions raised by the participants on the grant application and approval process, the selection process and in general discussed the pre-proposal template as well.
According to BACF the deadline for Call for pre-proposal is 12 December 2013 and it was discussed during the meetings held that the deadline should be moved back to allocate more time for proposal preparation and in this regard BACF informed all that the deadline for Call for pre-proposals would be extended till the end of December 2013 and a formal announcement would be made.
BACF has conveyed its appreciation and wishes to thank to all parties for the assistance provided during the trip.
BACF grants
A total of 25 proposals have been received by the said deadline to Baa Atoll Conservation Fund (BACF) upon it’s Invitation for Call for pre-proposals on 25 November 2011.
All proposals received will be shortlisted within the next twoo weeks and those parties shortlisted will be informed to submit the detailed proposal.
The deadline for submission for Call for pre-proposal previously had been 12 December 2013 but the date was moved back to 31 December 2013 to allocate more time for proposal preparation after a team of BACF visited Baa Atoll earlier.
It is envisaged that grants would be made available through BACF next month once the detail proposals are evaluated.
Paper to Social Council on Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve
A paper on Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was presented to the Social Council on 27 January 2014 at the President’s Office. The Social Council is chaired by the Vice President. Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and the paper to the Council was presented by Mr. Abdulla Shibau, Project Manager of Atoll Ecosytem Conservation Project (AEC Project , 2004 – 2012).
The presentation highlighted how the AEC Project was formulated, work undertaken in Baa Atoll to implement the project, how UNECO Biosphere Reserve status for Baa Atoll was achieved, the establishment of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund and its role in the management of Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , prominence of the UNESCO Biosphere status for Baa Atoll and the country and the importance of working together with all stakeholders in maintaining the Biosphere Reserve status of Baa Atoll.
Upon presentation of the paper, the members of the Council discussed in depth issues raised in the paper and the Project Manager of AEC Project (2004 – 2012) clarified queries raised by the Council members.
The Social Council is chaired by the Vice President of the country and comprises of cabinet ministers from Ministry for Environment and Energy, Ministry of Health and Gender, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Ministry for Housing and Infrastructure.
CEO of Soneva Group meets Environment Minister
CEO and Chairman of Soneva Group Mr. Sonu Shivdhasani has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Environment and Energy Mr.Thoriq Ibrahim on 12 February 2014. Mr Sonu on his visit to the Environment Ministry was accompanied by Ms. Federica Siena/Marine Biologist, Gordon Jackson/Waste-to-Wealth Manager and Mr. Musab Anees/Manager.
The main topics discussed during this visit were that of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, Waste Management and creating a marine reserve.
During this meeting the Minister of Environment Mr.Thorig reiterated the government’s commitment towards the first biosphere reserve of the country and briefed the current developments taking place in promoting and managing the biosphere reserve.
Information was also provided on the Waste Management Centre being developed at Raa Atoll Vandhoo focusing on Noonu, Raa, Baa and Lhaviyani Atolls and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) provided updates of the work carried out in implementing the National Waste Regulation.
The issue of capacity development of Biosphere Reserve Office staff in Eydhafushi was also discussed during this meeting.
State Minister for Environment Mr. Hassan Shah, Director General of EPA Mr. Ibrahim Naeem and Baa Atoll Conservation Manager Mr. Abdulla Shibau was in attendance in this meeting together with the Environment Minister.
