BACF Board Meeting 2 / 2019
The second Board meeting of 2019 of the Baa Atoll was held on 18 July 2019 at the Secretariat of Baa Atoll Council with participation from 7 stakeholder organisations.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Naeem.
The main Agenda item for the day included follow up discussionson the previous meeting in relation to the Second Cycle of grants from BACF.
The following decisions was taken by BACF Board in its meeting held on 18 July 2019:
a. To develop 2 bedroom apartments on all 13 islands.
b. As approved in the last board meeting, BACF to transfer MVR 3,000,000.00 (Three Million Maldivian Rufiya) as grants from BACF for cycle 2019 to Baa Atoll Council once agreement is signed between Baa Atoll Conservation Fund and Baa Atoll Council.
c. Baa Atoll Council to match the figure of BACF for the proposed development.
d. All land plots allocated for this development to be registered under the Island Council prior to start of development.
e. The apartments to carry “Biosphere” next to their name on each island.
f. Baa Atoll Council to undertake all required work in relation to proposed development and to keep Baa Atoll Conservation Fund informed of the developments regularly.
Meetings undertaken with Resort Management
Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office together with Baa Atoll Conservation Fund have concluded visits to 12 resorts in the atoll.
The main purpose of the visit to the resorts was introducing the work carried out by Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office especially to the newly opened resort managements, dives schools of the atoll and build on the established partnerships that alreay exists and informing the management of the resorts the need for more partnerships to be established and between resorts resort and Baa Atoll Conservation Fund as this would help in generating revenue to the fund whereby the communities would be abe to benifit more with grants from the fund.
During the 5 day trip discussions was held on the activities planned for 2019 under the three programs of Baa Atoll BR Office; CConservation, Education and Awareness and Livelihood.
Information was also be provided on the latest development in relation to World UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and on the upcoming periodic review by UNESCO of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserveand identifying how new partnerships could be forged with the newly functional establishments.
The team is led by the Managing Director of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund Mr. Abdulla Shibau, accompanied by the Officer in-charge of BR Office Mr.Shafee Ali together with the Conservation Officer and the Rangers who are working at BR Office.
The 5 day trip started on 26 March visiting Westin Maldives, Vakkaru Maldives and Coco Palm Dhunikolhu on the firts day ending the day with a meeting with the Olive Ridley Project Team on Coco Palm Dhunikolhu.
On the second day the team visited Dhigufaru Island Resort, Milaidhoo , Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and Manta Trust where details discussions were held with regards to Manta Festival 2019 and the "Moodhu Madharusaa" - Ocean School organized by Manta Trust to be carried out in Baa Atoll in association with Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office.
On the thrd day the team visited Reethi Beach Resort, Dreamland The Unique Sea & Lake Resort Spa and Dusit Thani Maldives and on the last day the team had the pleasure of visting the newest meber of the resosrt family in Baa Atoll namely The Nautilus.
The trip was a huge success as a lot of issues were covered and way forwards were agreed.
BACF Board Meeting 1 / 2019
The first Board meeting of 2019 of the Baa Atoll was held on 28 Januray 2019 at the Ministry of Environment and the meetings was attended by 8 participants from 7 stakeholder organisations. (Environment Protection Agency, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaagiraavaru, Local Government Authority, Maldives Boating Association, Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, Ministry of Environment)
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Environmental Protection Agency, Mr.Ibrahim Naeem.
The Agenda items for the day included (a). Approval and Discussion of BR Office Workplan 2019 and Office/BACF Budget 2019, (b) Update of activities undertaken BR Office in 2018 (c) Discussions on Hanifaru Management Plan (d) BACF Grants for the next cycle (e) Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Periodic Review (F) Discussion on Other Issues
The following decisions was taken by BACF Board in its meeting held on 28 January 2019:
1. The value of the next cycle of grants from BACF to be officially announced once the Atoll Council has completed all paperwork in relation to the proposed projects to be funded in 2019 upon approval by BACF Board.
2. Priority to be given to Baa Atoll Council as the Grant recipient for 2019 and the Atoll Council to come up with tangible outputs for all islands after communicating with all Island Councils.
3.The Workplan of BR Office 2019 and BR OFFICE/BACF budget as presented.
4. Inform all resorts stating that they should become partners of the BR,
5. Inform all stakeholders on Baa Atoll BR periodic review and to seek supportfrom all involved in maintaining the BR status for Baa Atoll.
Manta Festival 2018
The first ever Manta Festival of Maldives which was jointly organized by Manta Trust, Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll Council and Dharavandhoo Council was held on the island of Dharavandhoo on 24 November.
Hats off to all those involved in making this event a reality; 200+ students, , 12 schools, 1000+ visitors, presentations on environmental themes, competitions, over 12 resorts involved , with participation from dive schools and involvement of guest houses and many more helping hands summed up the event.
The Guest of honour of the Manta Festival 2018 was ex-Maldives President, Mr.Mohamed Nasheed and the festival was also attended by the newly appointed Minister for Environment Dr.Hussain Rasheed Hassan. President Nasheed, Minister Hassan, President of Baa Atoll Council Mr.Mabrook Naseer, Managing Director of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund Mr.Abdulla Shibau and Vice President of host island Council Mr. Ali addressed the gathering at the opening ceremony of the festival.
Prizes were also given away for the winners of the competions organized for the event which included art, potography and manta sculpture.
Baa Atoll Manta Festival 2018 was a huge success and it was indeed a great team effort by the organizers. Maldivian Manta Ray Project - Manta Trust , Biosphere Reserve Maldives.Baa Atoll, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Baa Atoll Council and Dharavandhoo Council.
Joy Dive , the newest partner
As part of the ongoing tour of Baa Atoll Conservation Fund, Dreamland The Unique Sea & Lake Resort Spa which is the latest edition to the tourist resorts in Baa Atoll was visited today where the team met with the management of the resort island and the Dive School.
During the meeting held with the dive school, JOY Dive Maldives officially became a partner of Baa ATOLL UNESCO Biosphere Reserve by signing off the partnership agreement between the Dive School and Baa Atoll Conservation Fund. The partnership agreement was signed by Mr. Thomas Lessing signed on behalf of Joy Dive Maldives while Managing Director Mr.Abdulla Shibau signed on behalf Baa Atoll Conservation Fund.
Also visited was Reethi Beach where meetings were held with the management of the resort and dive school.
We welcome Joy Dive Maldives as an official partner of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and look forward in managing Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve.
