Six sites of environmental significance in Laamu atoll, have been declared protected.

The decision was made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, following a meeting with his Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday.

As such, deliberations were held on a paper proposed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The six eco-rich and naturally unique sites in Laamu atoll include wetlands, reefs, lagoons, mangroves, seagrass meadows and beaches spanning across Gan, Maabaidhoo, Vadinolhu, Gaadhoo and Hithadhoo of the atoll.

These sites are among marine habitats earlier in 2021, declared as “Hope Spots” by the international marine conservation non-profit Mission Blue.

A total of 14,423 hectares have been declared areas with marine protection under the Environment Protection and Preservation Act. This comes in accordance with the Solih administration’s pledge to protect at least one island, one reef and one wetland from each atoll.