Baa Atoll
Baa Atoll | |
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Milaidhoo , Miriandhoo, Muddhoo, Muthaafushi, Nibiligaa, Olhugiri, Thiladhoo, Ufuligiri, Undoodhoo, Vakkaru, Velivarufinolhu, Veyofushee, Vinaneih-faruhuraa, Voavah | |
Resort islands(*), airports(¤) and industrial islands are also considered uninhabited. |
Baa Atoll (includes Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Fasdhūtherē Atoll, and Goifulhafehendhu Atoll) is an
Situated on the west of the Maldives atoll chain, it consists of 75 islands of which 13 are inhabited with a population of over 11,000 people. The remaining 57 islands are uninhabited, in addition to eight islands being developed as resorts.
Thulhaadhoo Island is traditionally well known for lacquerwork handicrafts.
Geography
Baa Atoll consists in two roughly circular sub-atolls, separated by the narrow Kudarikilu Kandu channel. The total measures approximately 38 km wide (east-west) for 46 km long (north-south), covering a surface of 1 127 km2 surface.[1]
The atoll is formed by 105 coral reefs, representing a reef surface of 263 km2. This reef surface is 61 islands provided with vegetation, and a variable number of sandy bays (between 4 and 14). Half (38) of these islands are less than 10 hectares, constituting less than 20% of the atoll lands.[1]
The biggest island is Dharavandhoo (45,5 ha), followed by Kunfunadhoo (35 ha). The highest point, although difficult to establish, is situated in Funadhoo., with 3,19 m over the sea level.[1]
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Sky view of a part of Baa atoll.
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A typical desert island of Baa atoll, with its reef on the first ground.
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Sight ofFonimagoodhoo, a resort island.
Biodiversity and ecology
Maalhosmadulu Atoll is also considered as a good example of the rich
.The southernmost uninhabited island of
The Fisheries Ministry of the Maldives has banned catching turtles or taking eggs from Olhugiri, which also applies to 11 other islands.
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A typical underwater landscape of Baa atoll, with ahawksbill turtle and a Maldivian clownfish.
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Coral landscape in Voavah.
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Baa atoll shelters an important population of manta rays (Manta alfredi)
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Bottlenose dolphins off Baa Atoll
Biosphere reserve
The Maldives harbors globally-significant biodiversity in its numerous reefs and demonstrates a long history of human interaction with the environment. Covering approximately 139,700 ha of coastal/marine areas, the site is representative of the Maldives’ high diversity of reef animals, with hard and soft corals, reef-associated fish species, marine turtles, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. In addition to its 12,170 inhabitants, some 350,000 tourists visit the biosphere reserve annually. As part of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, the site has great potential for demonstrating sustainable development throughout the Maldives and the region, while relying on a green economy.
Hanifaru Bay which is known locally as Vandhumaafaru Adi is thought to be one of the few places in the world where
The designation of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in June 2011 was a significant achievement for the Maldives. placing it in the company of world famous sites such as Komodo island in Indonesia, Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) in Australia and the Galápagos Islands.
Voavah
Voavah (also known as Hafnas) is the first island designated by UNESCO as an exclusive use island. Voavoh is owned by the Four seasons company and is available for hire.
See also
References
- Divehi Tārīkhah Au Alikameh. Divehi Bahāi Tārikhah Khidmaiykurā Qaumī Markazu. Reprint 1958 edn. Malé 1990.
- Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī.
- Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999.
External links
- http://www.baa.gov.mv
- News report on banning the capturing of turtles
- Facts and figures about Baa Atoll (archived 11 March 2007)