Minister Thoriq to visit Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The Minister of Environment Mr.Thoriq Ibrahim left Male’ today to visit Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve. During the course of this trip the Minister is scheduled to visit all 8 resorts in operation in Baa to meet with the General Managers. He will also meet with Eydhafushi Island Council, Baa Atoll Council and Baa Atoll Police.
The main purpose of the trip by the Minister Thoriq is to meet in person all the major stakeholders involved with the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and discuss the issues with managing the Reserve and also to hold discussions on Baa Atoll Conservation Fund.
On this trip by the Minister is accompanied by Director General of EPA Mr.Ibrahima Naeem and Baa Atoll Conservation Fund Manager Mr. Abdulla Shibau.
The Minister will be returning Male on 19 April 2014.
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.
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.
