The residents of Baa Dhonfanu have decided to stage a series of protests against President Mohamed Muizzu's decision not to carry out the island's reclamation project.
Dhonfanu council announced that the protest will be held at sea. The council has now banned diving in an area of 700 metres from the island's reef while the protests continue.
"As part of the ongoing series of protests by the people in Dhonfanu, we have decided to stage protests at sea, 700 metres from the island's reef and banned diving in the area during those times," the council stated.
Earlier this week, Muizzu said the residents of Dhonfanu no longer want the reclamation project for their island. His announcement came amid public criticism over the possible damage to the biodiversity of the protected Hanifaru Bay area.
Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO-protected site, covers an area of 529 hectares. The reefs in the area are used as cleaning stations by the mantas. There is a USD 20 fee to snorkel in the area, and scuba diving is banned.
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) was contracted to reclaim 13 hectares of land in Dhonfanu, an island with just 398 people, close to Hanifaru Bay. The project agreement was signed on August 13 during Muizzu's visit to the island.
But an announcement, signed by all council members in Dhonfanu, stated that Muizzu decided to stop the project without consulting the council and the island people and called on the government to resume the reclamation plans.
