Maldives Conservation Portal launched
The Maldives Conservation Portal launched today by Hon. Minister of Environment and Energy Mr.Thoriq Ibrahim at a special ceremony held at the Ministry to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The Maldives Conservation Portal is an open-access, public resource for conservation science in the Maldives. The portal acts as a centralized platform that includes all research and conservation activities run in the country, and one that brings together projects promoted by governmental and non-governmental agencies. Through this portal, all citizens can learn how to become actively involved in marine conservation in the Maldives, and can have an understanding of how the information is used to improve management strategies of natural resources.
The Maldives Conservation Portal is part of Project REGENERATE, a joint initiative of IUCN Marine Maldives Projects, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, Marine Research Center and Environmental Protection Agency funded by the USAID. Through this portal, project REGENERATE aims at 1) enhancing generation of knowledge and science associated with marine resources of the Maldives to apply resilience-based management; and 2) facilitating access to information for all people interested in conservation activities in the Maldives.
Monthly Meeting 1 (HANIFARU SEASON 2017)
The first monthly meeting in preparation for Hanifaru Season 2017 was held at Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office today. Participants from MEE, Resorts, Atoll Council, BACF,BR Office and Maldives Police service were present at this meeting.
The participants were given an update on the activities of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office and were also updated on the policy directions approved by the Environment Ministry in the management of the Reserve.
The next meeting is scheduled for the last week of June.
Maintenance of buoys at Hanifaru MPA undertaken
Work on maintenance and upgrading of mooring buoys at the drop-off zone of Hanifaru Marine Protected Area in preparation for Manta Season 2017 has been completed by BR Office.
Work on maintenance started earlier this month but there were severe delays and numerous breakdown in undertaking this due to bad weather.
Meeting to discuss Ranger Training
A meeting was held today at IUCN Male’ Office between Ministry of Environment and Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office and Baa Atoll Conservation Fund to discuss the TOR prepared for capacity building of monitoring the Protected Areas in the Maldives targeting all the Rangers who are working in Baa Atoll, Addu and Fuvahmuah City.
The meeting was attended by participants from Ministry of Environment and Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office and Baa Atoll Conservation Fund.
The extensive ranger training programme is scheduled for the month of July and will be conducted by Experts who have worked at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia and will be completed in 7 days. The training is scheduled to be held in Baa Atoll and will cover both marine and terrestrial park's monitoring aspects.
