Coral Restoration Program Commences In Baa Atoll

Monday 29th of August 2022

Baa Atoll Council has partnered with Ministry of Tourism, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and Reefscapers to initiate a coral restoration program for school children. This program is part of the activities planned to commemorate the Golden Jubilee year of Tourism in the Maldives. All schools in the Baa Atoll have taken part in this blue initiative for the environment.

Through this program, school children will be taught how to place corals in the coral frames and how to position the frames in the waters. Along with this, the students will learn about how corals thrive in the underwater as well. As part of this program, each school will be given a coral frame and students will monitor and look after the growth of the corals in the lagoons of their own islands.

The program was officially launched by Chief Guest, Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Dr. Hussain Rasheed. While speaking at the ceremony, the Minister remarked that students are one of the most prominent people to know the importance of corals. He added that things endangering coral life are threatening the delicate environment and tourism of the Maldives too. In this regard, he remarked that students are vital in the protection of corals.

The program is conducted with the help of marine biologists from nearby resorts. Each school was gifted a coral frame and students with the guidance of marine biologists will measure the growth and assess the damage caused to these coral frames during this program.

A total of 134 students from 13 schools are participating in this program. The celebratory activities for the 50th anniversary of Tourism commenced in Baa Atoll in a ceremony held in B. Fulhadhoo. During the ceremony, the slogan of Baa Atoll “Better In Baa” was also launched.