The Adaptive Management Advisor for the AEC project Dr.Mike Mosser will be arriving in the country for his second mission for 2011 on 3 October.

In this mission he will be undertaking a number of activities in consultation with the PMU and UNDP which includes supporting the establishment of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, governance mechanisms for the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and the establishment of the Biosphere Reserve Service, reviewing / assisting in preparations for official “launch” of the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, participating in community meeting to finalise management plan for Goidhoo mangrove area and reviewing the progress with Goidoo Agriculture pilot project, reviewing work plans of the national consultants, reviewing the AEC 2011 workplan and budget, and also reviewing plans for the termination of the project, and as a last output preparing high level recommendations to the national Project Director and NDP.

Dr Mike Mosser is scheduled to depart Male’ on 14 October.

A meeting of the AEC Project Steering Committee was held on 22 September at the Ministry of Housing and Environment at 13:30hrs.

State Minister for Housing and Environment Dr.Mohamed Shareef who is also the National Project Director chaired the meeting in which 9 participants from 8 stakeholders attended.

The items on the agenda for discussion in the meeting included a project update by the project team, issues relating to the newly established UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, proposed Conservation Fund for Baa Atoll, mainstreaming Baa Atoll demonstration at the national level and as the last item extension of the project until the end of 2012 was also discussed.

Environment Protection Agency has signed an MOU with Baa Atoll Council to manage the protected area of Hanifaru in Baa Atoll.

Under the MOU which was signed on 14 July 2011 Baa Atoll Council has been handed over the mandate to manage the protected area of Hanifaru under the guidance of Environment Protection Agency in association with the established government organizations where necessary in implementing the Hanifaru Management Plan in accordance with the Baa Atoll Zonation Plan.

Director of EPA Mr.Ibrahim Naeem signed on behalf of EPA while Baa Atoll Council President Mr. Aboobakuru Abdul Rahman signed on behalf of the Atoll Council.

The MOU was signed at the opening ceremony of a workshop held to celebrate the status of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for Baa Atoll where the Minister of Housing and Environment Mr. Mohamed Aslam ,State Minister Mr. Ali Niyaz from the National Office and Island Councilors from the islands were present.

Hanifaru was decalared as a protected area on 5 June 2009 and the boundary of Hanifaru protected area was increased to include the island of Hanifaru on 5 june 2011.

Baa Atoll has been declared by UNESCO as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The decision to designate Baa Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was taken at the 23rd session of the MAB-ICC held from 28th June to 1st July 2011,  in Dresden Germany.

Speaking after the designation Minister Aslam said that it is a great pride for Maldives and especially the people of Baa Atoll to be declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the government would closely work with the residents of Baa Atoll and all relevant authorities to make use of this opportunity.

He also congratulated the people of Baa Atoll on this occasion and stressed that more work needs to be done in order to maintain the status as a Biospherer Reserve where sustainable use of natural resources together with development has to take place in harmony.

Minister of Housing and Environment Mr.Mohamed Aslam and Director of EPA Mr.Ibrahim Naeem attended this conference.

The Government of Maldives has today declared six area of Baa Atoll as protected areas and has increased the boundaries of 2 existing protected areas.

The Minister of Housing and Environment Mr. Mohamed Aslam signed the declaration stating these areas as protected and increasing the boundary of two existing areas under the powers vested in him as the Environment Minister under the Environment protection and Preservation Act (ACT 4/93).

The newly 6 protected areas are:

Mendhoo Region, Goedhoo Korau Region, Maahuruvalhi Faru, Bathalaa Region, Dhorukandu Region, Mendhoo Region, Mathifaru Huraa Region and a kilometre of area surrounding a ship called ‘Kobin’ that was grounded on the northern side of the island of Baa Atoll Fulhadhoo in 1602.

The protected areas which has seen a boundary increase are Hanifaru (protected in 2009) to include the uninhabited island of Hanifaru and Dhigali Giri to be included as part of Dhigalihaa (protected in 1998).

Speaking at a meeting held at the Housing Ministry today, Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam said Baa Atoll being one of the most biologically diverse atolls in the country has gained global attention through the Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project funded by Global Environment facility and UNDP which is being implemented by the Environment Ministry since 2004.

The Minister also stated that the government of Maldives has submitted UNESCO all the necessary documents for Baa Atoll to be declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and are awaiting a decision from them which will be taken later this month at a Conference to be held in Dresden, Germany.