The aim of biosphere reserves is not to halt development, but to serve as a model for sustainable development, says Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna.

Minister Shauna made this statement while speaking at the Prize Awarding Ceremony 2021-2022 of Baa Atoll Education Center.

In her speech, the Environment Minister stated that an atoll with an environmentally conscious society like Baa Atoll can set an example for other other atolls and the whole world.

Minister Shauna emphasized the importance of teaching children to be responsible enough to pass on the natural resources of the atoll's oceans and reefs to future generations. She stated that students will play a critical part in bringing about a revolutionary transformation to protect the environment.

The Minister stated that the coral reefs should be studied so as to ensure that the protected coral reefs continue to be beautiful underwater gardens.

In her remarks, Minister Shauna also mentioned the importance of sustainable fishing and tourism in developing the country's economy.

In an earlier event, the Environment Minister has stated that the country needs to manage its oceans sustainably, to sustain the two main industries of Maldivian economy; fisheries and tourism industries.

She stated that the country is currently implementing an extremely ambitious goal to be able to protect at least 20 percent of the oceans, which will contribute to the global conservation goal of protecting 30 percent of the oceans and lands by 2030.

Furthermore, the Minister noted that the country has so far protected 13 percent of its reefs, to try and adapt to the challenges that the world is facing due to global warming and climate change.