30th Session ICC MAB Programme
The 30th session of the Man and the Biosphere Programme International Co-ordinating Council (MAB-ICC), the MAB Council or ICC, will be held in Palembang, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia from 23 to 28 July 2018. On this occasion, the MAB-ICC will decide upon the inclusion of new biosphere reserves into the World Biosphere Reserve Network and take note of recommendations on periodic review reports of biosphere reserves.
The Council is composed of 34 UNESCO Member States, elected by UNESCO's General Conference, respecting: equitable geographical distribution; appropriate rotation; the representativeness of these States from the ecological viewpoint on each continent; and of the importance of their scientific contribution to the international MAB.
Ms.Muhusina Abdul Rahman, Assistant Director of Ministry of Environment and Energy and Mr.Abdulla Shibau, Managing Director of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund are attending the 30th Session of MAB Council meeting on behalf of Government of Maldives and Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve respectively.
BR Office meets Atoll Council to discuss Olhugiri MP
Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office together with Baa Atoll Conservation Fund held a meeting with Baa Atoll Council today at the Atoll Council premises.
The main discussion point of the meeting included status of implementation of Management Plan for Olhugiri Protected Area. It was informed by Baa Atoll Council that work is presently underway in finalizing the policies in the use of Olhugiri Protected Area by the communities of both Hithaadhoo and Thulhaadhoo islands as per the MOUs signed between the Atoll Council and Environmental Protection Agency and the subsequent MOUs which were signed between both Hithaadhoo and Thulhaadhoo Councils with Baa Atoll Council.
Also discussed was the issues in relation to cleanup of Olhugiri Protected Area in parallel with opening of the island to the 2 communities and tentative dates were agreed as to when this would take place.
The Cleanup activity will be undertaken with participation from 2 island communities, both Councils together with assistance from the nearby resorts working together with Baa Atoll Council and Baa Atoll Biosphere Office.
We will be informing the dates of the cleanup activity shortly and all those who are interested in taking part in this activity are most welcome.
Hanifaru Season 2018, monthly meeting 1
The first monthly meeting of Hanifaru Season 2018 was held at the Secretariat of Baa Atoll Council today. Representatives from Baa Atoll Council, Baa Atoll Conservtation Fund, Guest Houses, Dive Schools, Manta Trust, together with Biosphere Reserve Office and Maldives Police Services were present at this meeting.
A presentation on Workplan 2018 of BR OFFICE was presented to the participants of the meeting outlining the activies undertaken under the three programmes implemented by BR Office: Conservation Programme, Outreach program and Livelihoods Programmes.
The second presentation was given by Manta Trust outlining of the findings of 2017 together with research activities planned for 2018.
The participants then discussed both the Workplan of BR office 2018 and the proposed research activities by Manta Trust when the foloor was opened for discussions.
The next meeting is scheduled for the last week of July.
