Discover Maldives Magazine Issue 2010

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DISCOVER MALDIVES 2010 issue

The Magazine of Escale Maldives, Your Travel Partner

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Destinations

Scuba Diving

Features

Kaashidhoo Island Coco Palm Bodu Hithi

III Dive Sites for beginners Wreck Hunters Dream Destination

Shapes of Islands What kind of Water Villas Story of Jetties

WIN A FREE HOLIDAY TO COCO PALM BODU HITHI YOUR FREE COPY

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Photo credits: All underwater photos by Sendi Aerial photo of Bodumohoraa island in Vaavu atoll by Amooo

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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EDITORS NOTE Almost all postcards of and books about the Maldives feature exotic resorts. Due to this, most people relate Maldives with expensive holiday destinations. Indeed, Maldives’ islands are heavenly pearls strewn in the Indian Ocean. And of course, we have pristine white beaches and crystal clear seas. However, Maldives is this and much more. The real Maldives is more than the picture perfect postcard. We have hundreds of reefs, inhabited and uninhabited islands, sand banks and hundreds of hidden and unexplored treasures under the sea. Our objective in publishing Discover Maldives is to present these unexplored and rarely talked about features of the Maldives. To show the real Maldives, the lives of Maldivians and the numerous and fantastic opportunities this island nation has to offer for the adventurer. Hence, it is our pleasure to be part of this unique venture in publishing a magazine that is “everything Maldivesâ€?! We have received contribution, assistance and support from a large number of people and we owe them our deepest gratitude and thankfulness. It is their indefatigable toil that has made this magazine a reality and a success. As such, we are hopeful that our readers would gain new insights into our islands through Discover Maldives and perhaps seek the opportunity to explore the real Maldives with us! For this inaugural issue, we have stretched our resources to bring you LQWHUHVWLQJ VWRULHV DQG QHZV WKDW \RX ZRXOG QRW ÂżQG LQ RWKHU PDWHULDO about the Maldives. We travelled more than 2000 miles within the Maldives in 2009. We have gone underwater, walked on virgin sand EDQNV FURVVHG FKDQQHOV Ă€HZ PLOHV DQG PLOHV DQG \HW WKHUH LV VWLOO so much more to be discovered. This is, of course, excellent news as we anticipate your support and participation with us in continuing our journey exploring the paradise on earth – the Maldives !

4@%C.$%E9?$= Fushifaru island in Lhaviyani Atoll. Photo by: DigitalGlobe

ŽžžÄžĹśĆšĆ? Θ ŽŜĆšĆŒĹ?Ä?ĆľĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? Please send in your comments, contributions and letters to the editor to editor@escalemaldives.com

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Want to contribute? Do you have a passion to write or have photos that are worthy of publishing? We are looking for keen photographers and writers to contribute to our magazine. Escale Maldives is very keen to develop the Maldivian youth and if you think you have the motivation and interest to try something new, then write to us. Foreigners who have a story to tell and would like to include in our publications may also write to us. Please send all your queries to the editor at editor@escalemaldives.com

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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Contents DESTINATIONS

18

18 Kaashidhoo Island. Isolated and not visited my many visitors, yet such an interesting island with a rich history. See what life is like in this island.

26 Coco Palm Bodu Hithi. Get to know about this luxury resort which is among the best in Maldives.

ENVIRONMENT

34 Designing Reefs. A practical and cost effective approach to restore your house reef or just creating one from scratch. 40 Why you should not hate seagrass. Most people hate seagrass in Maldives, but there’s just more than one reason not to hate them.

44 Safeguarding the Whaleshark. Learn about the latest protected area in Maldives and what this means to the Whalesharks.

48 Maldivians and sandbanks. Read about sand banks, one of the unique geographical features of Maldives.

FEATURES

52 The big 7 of Maldives. With more than 99% ocean, Maldives is blessed with some of the famous giants of the sea. Read about what they are and why we think they deserve the title.

52

64

64 The story of jetties. The real life use of jetties and how important they are to the Maldives. 72 Shapes of islands. Every island has a unique shape and it is continuRXVO\ FKDQJLQJ 6KDSHV GHÂżQH DQ LVODQG and has several implications.

80 Mapping Maldives. Surveying and its challenges in the Maldives.

40 10|

DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Contents Continued 84 What kind of water villas. In a time when luxury water villas

100

are ruling the Maldives, a new kind of water villas have emerged and are ruling the Maldives. Be amazed by this unique Maldivian invention.

SCUBA DIVING

90 III Dive sites for the absolute beginner. Guide to three beautiful dive sites for the absolute beginner.

100 Exploring the mystery of the Maldivian queen. Discover the ruins of the famous Maldivian Queen that ruled the Maldivian seas and the story behind her fateful death.

108 Wreck hunters dream destination. From small wrecks to large wrecks, this place has everything. Its a wreck divers dream destination.

TRAVEL DIARY

118 Exploring South Male’ Atoll. Detail account of a two-day diving adventure in south Male’ atoll.

CITY BREAKS

128 Explore some of the best mosques in Male’. Discover some of the best and historic mosques in Male’ on your own with this ultimate walking tour.

AGENDA

132 What’s happening around Maldives. Get the latest

118 128

updates on development, environment, hot events and book reviews.

FUN ZONE

138 Fun things. Learn about Maldives through games and puzzles.

12|

DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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West Park

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Viligili Ferry Terminal

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PHOTOS FROM Maldives

A freshwater lake

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13 - Ihavandhoo 9 - Nolhivaranfaru

6 - Huvandhumaavwattaru 7 - Coco Palm Dhunikolhu

11 - Lhaviyani Atoll 12 - Dharavandhoo 5,10 - Eriyadhoo

2 - Bolifushi

4 - Male’

3 - Dhagethi

8 - Olhuveli

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Photo credits: 5,10 by Verena Wiesbauer Ali 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 13 by Riya 7 by AJ 8 by Mazin 4,12 by Amooo

A rural house made from coconut thatch

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Male’ fish market

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Women and children collecting shells during low tide hours. Photo by: Amooo

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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Kaashidhoo Island Text by : Amooo

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“

Although considered as part of the administrative Male’ atoll, it is geographically an atoll by itself on its own coral reef.

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IT’S A LARGE ISLAND, it has got history, infact a very interesting history and it’s one of the most isolated islands in the Maldives. As you enter the lagoon through the longest access channel in the Maldives, you are welcomed by a beautiIXO DUWL¿FLDO LVOHW FUHDWHG IURP VDQG extracted from this long access channel. Once you reach the island, a destroyed harbour awaits to receive you. The moment you step on the semi destroyed quay wall of the harbour, you instantly feel the uniqueness of this island. Every day, several international cargo ships pass this island carrying millions of dollars worth of goods from east to the west as they cross the Maldives on their routine journey. And every day several local boats and vessels cross this unique island comforting them with the sight of the island, knowing that they could take shelter if the weather gets nasty. Yes, you guessed it right. It is Kaashidhoo island. The name Kaashidhoo literally means ‘coconut island’. ‘Kaashi’ means coconut and ‘dhoo’, although it does not literally mean an island, it is a common term

used to describe an island in Dhivehi Language. The island lies in Kaashidhoo Kan’du (kan’du in Dhivehi is referred to Sea) also known as ‘Kardiva Channel’ which is the broad channel separating some of the central atolls of Maldives, most notably Male’ atoll and Lhaviyani atoll. The island of Kaashidhoo lies roughly in the middle of this channel. Although considered as part of the administrative Male’ atoll, it is geographically an atoll by itself on its own coral reef. It is the biggest island in Male’ Atoll and is the biggest among the islands north to Male’. Kaashidhoo can also be considered among the largest islands in Maldives. The island is 87.5 km north of the capital Male’, and is in a very strategic geographic location. The island is totally isolated from the rest of WKH DWROO LPSRVLQJ D VLJQL¿FDQW FKDOOHQJH to establish its transportation with the rest of Kaafu Atoll and the country in general.

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Despite the isolation, the island is unique and full of history, a history that dates back to centuries. Not many foreigners

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1 - Aerial view of Kaashidhoo island 2, 3 - Most houses are constructed using mined coral like this house. 4, 5 - Agriculture is the number one income generating activity and generates revenue to the local economy. Both men and women are engaged in agriculture and atleast one person from each household is enaged in agriculture. 6 - Ripe water melons in a farm. Water melons are widely grown in the island most of which end up in the local market in Male’ Photos by: Amooo

Photo by: Riya

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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get to visit this island, mainly due to its isolation and there are no nearby resorts or regular transport networks. Seafarers stop by this island during rough weather when Kaashidhoo Kan’du cannot be crossed. It is a nasty sea during rough weather and you would not want to be even near this channel when it is rough. When the conditions are bad, it is best to avoid this sea. In bad weather, many travelers take refuge in the calmness of the island’s lagoon until it is safe to travel. The islanders are a friendly bunch of people most of whom are engaged in agriculture. Fishing is also a major activity, but Kaashidhoo is largely an agriculWXUDO LVODQG DQG ¿VKLQJ LV QHYHU FRQVLGered as a source of income for this huge island. Some of the islanders are engaged in other economic activities such as boat building and in resort jobs, but the majority concentrates on agriculture.

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With a population of only about 2000 people, Kaashidhoo has plenty of space for agricultural farming on a large scale. Despite the large size, the full potential of agriculture has not been explored. Twenty four million square feet of land, with 8000 feet NE-SW as the longest and 3200 at the widest dimensions is considered very big in Maldives. It is said that Kaashidhoo is the island from which most of the coconuts are brought to Male’. The markets of Male’ are always loaded with agricultural produce from this island including chilli, cucumber, water melon, banana and papaya. A large percent of the land is still unused. Basic health and other facilities are available on the island. The island’s health facility was built in February 1999 while the educational facility, a school, was built in April 1984 and upgraded in January 1986. The island is equipped with modern telecommunication systems such as cellular phones and local telephone network and radio telephone system ,VODQG 2I¿FH 7KH LVODQG KRXVHV D VWDWH owned power station and is equipped to provide electricity 24 hours. The community water tanks provide adequate storage capacities, yet the locals install their own storage vessels as well. Rain water is the main source of drinking water while groundwater is extensively used for other domestic purposes.

www.escalemaldives.com | !"#$%&'()*+,-"&'#)."/+,)'-"01"/--)))52

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7 - A woman at her farm. 8 - A fisherman displays his catch in the late afternoon. 9 - The compound of the old mosque which has been renovated recently. The compound used to be a graveyard in the early days. 10 - A man and his goat crosses a dusty road. Sights like this are rare today, even in rural Maldives. 11 - A backyard lettuce farm. It is a good cash crop and very popular among Maldivians. Photos by: Amooo

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D*?,%BE%D*5C6F',%E'*)=+',%C')*65%0*?,% BE%*55%):'%*)B55,%BE%D*5C6F',%6@(5=C6@<% Ăůů ƚŚĞ ŝŶŚĂďŝƚĞĚ ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ͕ ƐƚĂƟƐƟĐƐ ĨŽƌ '*(:%*)B55,>%=@6:A*6)'C%6,5*@C,>%+',B+),>% +',B+),%=@C'+%C'F'5B?0'@)>%6@C=,)+6*5% 6,5*@C%6@(5=C6@<%*<+6(=5)=+*5%6,5*@C,>%5BG ĐĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ŶĂǀŝŐĂƟŽŶĂů ůŝŐŚƚƐ͕ ƐŚŝƉǁƌĞĐŬƐ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŶLJ ŵŽƌĞ͘ dŚŝƐ Ŭ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƵƐĞĨƵů ƚŽ ĂŶLJŽŶĞ ǀŝƐŝƟŶŐ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͕ ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌ ĨŽƌ ŚŽůŝĚĂLJ Žƌ ĨŽƌ ǁŽƌŬ͘

get to know everything about Maldives before you come - order your copy today ! ""

AVAILABLE FROM ATOLL IMAGES Ma.Shah, Dhidhi Golhi Male’, Maldives Tel: (960) 334 1643 Fax: (960) 333 1643 www.atoll-images.com info@atoll-images.com

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12 - A care taker rests beside the archaeological site. 13 - Ruins of a Bhuddhist temple. The entire site is considered to be a temple. 14 - A well in ruins. Photos by Amooo

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Kaashidhoo has several landmarks QDPHO\ .DDVKLGKRR ,VODQG 2I¿FH Kaashidhoo Island Court, Kaashidhoo Health Centre, Kaashidhoo Atoll School, Kaashidhoo Women’s Centre, Masjidul Niumaa, Old Friday Mosque, Masjidul Furqaan, Masjidul Ihusaan, Masjidul Amaan and Kaashidhoo Tharaagan’ du (the Buddhist ruins). But amongst the numerous landmarks, Kaashidhoo Tharaagan’du is notably the most VLJQL¿FDQW LQ WHUPV RI KLVWRU\ DQG LW is a place worth visiting. Kaashidhoo Tharaagan’du, is the ruins of a Buddhist temple used by the Maldivians before the people embraced Islam. The origins of this historic landmark originate from India. Some of the ancient chronicles of South India and the Mahavansa of Sri Lanka contain records about the Maldives. According to the Mahavansa, one of the ships that sailed with Prince Vijaya who went to Sri Lanka around 500 BC, went adrift and arrived at an island called Mahiladvipika, which is the Maldives. It is also said that at that time the people from Mahiladvipika used to travel to Sri Lanka. A Roman manual of navigation IURP WKH ¿UVW FHQWXU\ $' 3HULSOXV 0DULV Erithraei mentions islands assumed to be the Maldives. This archaeological site at Kaashidhoo, which is among the discoveries in the Maldives to be subjected WR VFLHQWL¿F LQTXLU\ KDYH EHHQ GDWHG WR 3rd or 4th century AD. Thus, Buddhism would have been brought to the Maldives sometime before that date. As the Maldives was well known in the region, it is quite possible that when Ashoka, the famous Indian King (265-238 BC) sent out missionaries to various South Asian countries to spread Buddhism, some of them had arrived in the Maldives. Today, Kaashidhoo Tharaagan’du is a protected historical site. In 2008, the government decided to develop a resort in the island’s lagoon by reclaiming land but until today, nothing has materialized and it is the islanders’ hopes and dream that one day the full economic potential of this island would be realised. References - www.maldivesstory.com - www.kaashidhoo.net - www.kaashidhoo.org - www.kaafuatoll.gov.mv

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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ORIGINAL BRANDS SOLED EXCLUSIVELY AT

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Designing Reefs

A useful management tool for resorts in the Maldives? Text by: Mag. Verena Wiesbauer Ali

The Maldives is one of the few nations in the world that can be considered a “100% coastal communityâ€?, being entirely dependent on a continuous supply of resources such as tuna and UHHI ÂżVK FRDVWDO VHD GHIHQFH DQG D WRXULVP LQGXVWU\ WKDW LV EXLOW around crystal clear water and colourful coral reefs. Therefore, the functioning of the ecosystem surrounding the tiny Maldivian islands is vital for the local community. However, together with tourism that contributed so much to the country’s economic boom, came its negative side effects: dredging, increased sewage discharge, chemical pollution, run-off of sediment due to land reclamation, a huge amount of waste and tourist damage through reef-walking, swimming, snorkelling, boating and SCUBA diving. These anthropogenic pressures on reefs further exacerbated in the 1980s and 1990s by several strong El NiĂąo Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, which have been correlated with widespread warm water anomalies and associated bleaching and mortality of corals. In recent years, the worldwide decline in coral reefs prompted greater attention towards remediation and restoration activities in the Maldives. In 2006, the ‘First National Workshop on Resort Reef Management’ was held in Male’, where marine biologists from various resort islands presented their remediation and restoration activities and encouraged other resort managers to initiate similar projects. The growing enthusiasm among resort managers for such projects lasted just a few months, until the new Environmental Impact Assessment 34|

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1 - Artificial reef outside the underwater spa in Huvafen Fushi Resort, two years after creation 2 - In Huvafen Fushi Resort, an artificially created reef based on concrete structures lines the windows of their Underwater Spa 3 - In less than one year, corals have overgrown the structures and cannot be seen anymore 4 - Coral nubbins established on nursery tables at the Huvafen Fushi Resort 5 - Nubbins of local branching and Corymbose Acropora and Pocillopora species on a coral nursery grow-out table at Taj Coral reef resort 6 - A dead reef in North Male’ atoll Photo Credits 1,2,3,4,5 by Verena Wiesbauer Ali 6 by Amooo

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Environment

Nevertheless, major redevelopment projects in the Maldives, such as construction of over-water bungalows, seawalls and underwater structures, that may affect the marine environment, require an EIA as well. Resorts that get the “permission to damage their house reefsâ€? within such a framework are allowed to XVH FRUDOV IRU DUWLÂżFLDO UHHI SXUSRVHV WKDW ZRXOG EH GHVWUR\HG anyways during the construction process. Therefore, legal requirements have to be met before resort managers and local communities can proceed with their “designed reefsâ€?. +RZHYHU WKH ÂżUVW TXHVWLRQ LQ UHHI UHVWRUDWLRQ PDQDJHPHQW procedure should always be: Was there a coral reef at the site where restoration efforts should be applied? If there has never been a reef there it is probably best not to create one as the environment (abiotic conditions) may not support a coral reef community. From a management viewpoint, two important points, which emerge from several studies (references in Edwards & Clark 1998), are that: (1) there is no point in designing reefs in areas where water quality is poor as transplants will tend to die, and (2) loss of transplants in high-energy environments tends to be high whatever methods are used to attach them. However, where water quality is good in relatively low energy environments, transplants tend to survive reasonably well.

tourist resorts. Efforts to rehabilitate or restore the ecological functions of FRUDO UHHIV YDU\ IURP WKH H[SHQVLYH GHSOR\PHQW RI DUWLÂżFLDO structures over the electrochemical deposition of CaCO3 to simple coral culturing activities, depending upon the spatial VFDOH DQG WKH ORJLVWLF SRWHQWLDO RI WKH VSHFLÂżF FRXQWULHV 2WKHU activities involve sexual reproduction and larval recruitment to initiate recovery. In the Maldives, the simplest way to design reefs is to attach loose coral pieces to a substrate, i.e. concrete or iron grids and let them grow for some months. (YHQ WKRXJK WKH HGXFDWLRQDO DQG VFLHQWLÂżF XVHV RI DUWLÂżFLDO coral growth are being acknowledged, we should not forget to focus on measures to prevent damage. Once human pressures such as untreated sewage, coastal reclamation and pollution are reduced, natural processes can take over and speed up coral growth, naturally restoring reefs that have suffered under the bleaching event. !"#"$"%&"' (')*$+"%,"$'-./'01$*$'2/'0"13'4/'0$5%65%'!7/'7*%86'9/'0%:$";'0/')<=$=15>*'0/')5$,?6'@/'A"B1""8')@/' ÄžsÄ‚ĹśĆ&#x;ÄžĆŒ >Í• :͘ ÄšĹ?Ä‚ĆŒ ':Í• ÄšÇ Ä‚ĆŒÄšĆ? :Í• &ÄžŜŜÄžĆŒ Í• 'ĆľÇŒĹľÄ„Ĺś ,D͕͘ ,ŽĞŏĆ?ĞžĂ tÍ• ,ŽĚĹ?Ć?ŽŜ 'Í• :ŽŚĂŜ KÍ• >Ĺ?Ä?ƾĂŜĂŜ tzÍ• >Ĺ?Ç€Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć?ĆšŽŜÄž ^ZÍ• >ŽǀĞůů ZÍ• :ÄžŜŜĹ?ĨÄžĆŒÍ• DŽŽĆŒÄž : Í• KÄ?ĆľĆŒÄ‚ KÍ• KÄ?ŚĂǀĹ?ĹŻĹŻĹ˝ Í• WŽůĹ?ÄšĹ˝ĆŒĹ˝ Í• WĆŒÄžÄ?Śƚ t&Í• YĆľĹ?Ä?Ĺ?ĹŻÄ‚Ĺś D Í• ZÄžÄ?ŽƚŽŜ Í• ZĹ?Ä?ĹšÄ‚ĆŒÄšĆ? dÍ• ZĹ˝Ĺ?ÄžĆŒĆ? Í• ^Ä‚ĹśÄ?Ĺ?Ä‚ĹśĹ?Ä?Ĺ˝ :Í• ^ĹšÄžĆ‰Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒÄš Í• ^ĹšÄžĆ‰Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒÄš Í• ^ĹľĹ?ƚŚ :Í• ^ĆšĆľÄ‚ĆŒĆš ^Í• dĆľĆŒÄ‚ĹŹ Í• sÄžĆŒŽŜ : EÍ• tÄ‚ĹŻĹŻÄ‚Ä?Äž Í• tÄžĹ?ĹŻ Í• tŽŽÄš ͞ώϏϏϴͿ KŜĞͲdĹšĹ?ĆŒÄš ŽĨ ZĞĞĨͲ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄšĹ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ˝ĆŒÄ‚ĹŻĆ? &Ä‚Ä?Äž ůĞǀĂƚĞĚ džĆ&#x;ĹśÄ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ ZĹ?Ć?ĹŹ ĨĆŒŽž ĹŻĹ?žĂƚĞ ŚĂŜĹ?Äž ĂŜĚ >Ĺ˝Ä?Ä‚ĹŻ /žƉĂÄ?ĆšĆ?͘ ^Ä?Ĺ?ĞŜÄ?Äž ΀ K/Í— Ď­ĎŹÍ˜ϭϭώϲ͏Ć?Ä?Ĺ?ĞŜÄ?Ğ͘ϭϭϹϾϭϾϲÎ

,Q JHQHUDO GHVLJQLQJ DQ DUWLÂżFLDO UHHI VHUYHV DV D FDWDO\VW IRU recovery by increasing the live coral cover and topographic complexity on a reef. In the Maldives, a reason for coral transplantation would be to mitigate damage caused by tourists engaged in water-based recreational activities, to save coral communities threatened by pollution, land reclamation or piling works, or to enhance the attractiveness of underwater habitat in 7 - An isolated live coral growing in an almost 100 percent dead reef. 8- Corals are frequently damaged by snorkellers, divers and during anchoring or major storm events. Such broken coral pieces can be cultured and placed back on the reef after growth in a nursery. 9 - Guests of the Four Seasons Resort can adopt Reef Balls: manmade structures comprised of a special, marine friendly concrete that are designed to mimic natural reef systems and to facilitate the growth of corals in areas where the reef has been damaged. 10 - Some reefs in the Maldives are still suffering after the El Nino mass coral bleaching event in 1998 and look more like rubble fields than healthy reefs that protect an island. 11 - Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru uses metal frames as nurseries for corals and as artificial wave-breaks. By passing a small electric current through the metal, a layer of limestone forms and coral growth is accelerated. Photo Credits 7 by Amooo 8,10 by Verena Wiesbauer Ali 9 Courtesy of www.reefball.org 11 Courtesy of Banyan Tree, Ihuru, Maldives

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/Ĩ LJŽƾ Ç Ä‚ĹśĆš ƚŽ ĚĞĆ?Ĺ?Ĺ?Ĺś Ä‚Ĺś Ä‚ĆŒĆ&#x;ÄŽÄ?Ĺ?Ä‚ĹŻ ĆŒÄžÄžĨ ĨŽĆŒ LJŽƾĆŒ ĆŒÄžĆ?Ĺ˝ĆŒĆš Ĺ˝ĆŒ ƾŜÄšÄžĆŒĆšÄ‚ĹŹÄž Ä‚ ĹŻÄ‚ĆŒĹ?Äž Ć?Ä?Ä‚ĹŻÄž ĆŒÄžÄžĨ ĆŒÄžĆ?ĆšĹ˝ĆŒÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ć‰ĆŒŽŊÄžÄ?ƚ͕ ƉůĞĂĆ?Äž Ä?ŽŜƚĂÄ?ƚ͗ tÄ‚ĆšÄžĆŒ ^ŽůƾĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? DĂ͘^ŚĂŚ͕ ĹšĹ?ĚŚĹ? 'ŽĂůŚĹ? DĂůĞ͕͛ DÄ‚ĹŻÄšĹ?ǀĞĆ? dĞů͗ ͞нϾϲϏͿ ĎŻĎŻĎ° ϭϲϰϯ &Ădž͗ ͞нϾϲϏͿ ĎŻĎŻĎŻ ϭϲϰϯ žĂĹ?ĹŻÍ—Ĺ?ŜĨŽÎ›Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒͲĆ?ŽůƾĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ?͘Ä?Ĺ?ÇŒ tÄžÄ?Í— Ç Ç Ç Í˜Ç Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒͲĆ?ŽůƾĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ?͘Ä?Ĺ?ÇŒ

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A DESIGNED REEF FOR COCO PALM BODU HITHI

Photo: Digitalglobe

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Text by: Mag. Mag. Verena Wiesbauer Ali. Photos by Amooo

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eagrass beds surrounding Maldivian tourist resorts are often destroyed because their guests expect clean blue water to swim in and no washed up grass on the beaches in the morning. A common method to do so involves laying down sheets of plastic over the seagrass and weighing it down with bags full of sand, thereby smothering the grass, leaving it and other benthic fauna and flora to rot. Their biological importance as a habitat that offers food, shelter and essential nursery areas to many fish species is often ignored.

The complexity of seagrass habitat is even increased when several species of seagrasses grow together, WKHLU OHDYHV FRQFHDOLQJ MXYHQLOH ÂżVK DQG EHQWKLF invertebrates such as crustaceans, bivalves or echiQRGHUPV -XYHQLOH VWDJHV RI PDQ\ ÂżVK VSHFLHV VSHQG their early days in the relative safety and protection of seagrasses. Seagrass meadows help dampen the effects of strong FXUUHQWV SURYLGLQJ SURWHFWLRQ WR ÂżVK DQG LQYHUWHbrates, while also preventing the scouring of bottom areas and seeds, and manufacturing their own food via photosynthesis.

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1 - A branching coral growing in a shallow lagoon among a colony of seagrass. 2 - Exposed seagrass beds between the island of Hoadehdhoo and Madaveli in Gaaf Dhaal atoll. 3 & 4 - A circular patch of sea grass formed on the eastern side of the island Kaadedhdhoo, where the regional airport is located. 5 - A resort island in North Male’ atoll with heavy sea grass growth around it. 6 - A sea urchin skeleton found in a seagrass patch. Photos by Amooo

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SAFEGUARDING

THE WHALE SHARKS

Hanifaru in Baa atoll declared a protected site

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inally good news for Whale sharks and for the people who love this amazing creature. A sanctuary has been declared for them in the Maldives. Hanifaru reef in Baa atoll declared a protected site on the occasion of the 2009 World Environment Day. This famous reef is well known as a breeding and feeding ground for Mantas and Whale Sharks. Text by: Amooo

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Hanifaru bay is known to divers as “Aquarium�or locally as “Vandhumaafaru adi� and is home to a large number of Whale sharks, grey reef sharks, Manta rays and sting rays.

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!$ 1 - Hanifaru reef 2 - Hanifaru reef, Dhonfan and Kihaadhuffaru Resort Photo credits 1 by DigitalGlobe 2,3 by Rifaa 4 by Amooo 5 by Guy Stevens (photo courtesy of AEC project) 6 by Shafraaz Naeem (photo courtesy of AEC project)

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1 - A sand bank formed near a small uninhabited island in Lhaviyani atoll. 2 - An oval sandbank 3 - Sea birds in a sandbank in Baa atoll 4 - A hut and a dining table in an isolated sand bank in Baa atoll. Most sandbanks are used by tourist resorts for picnics and barbeques. 5 - The uninhabited island of Kashidhoo and the nearby sandbank in Baa atoll

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Photo credits 1 by DigitalGlobe 2,3,4 by Riya 5 by Amooo

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SAVE THE SHARK

A campaign started in 2000 to Save the Shark.

Joinnus!

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contact@ecocare.mv

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THE BIG SE7EN OF MALDIVES A

by Mag. Verena Wiesbauer Ali

ustralia has Koalas and Kangaroos, New Zealand has Kiwi’s, South Africa has Lions, Elephants and Leopards, but what does Maldives have? The only wild life found in Maldives are sea creatures and for many years Maldivians have had a special relationship with these sea creatures.

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SCUBA divers at one of the few “Manta Points� in the Maldives, where Manta rays (Manta birostris) congregate for feeding or being cleaned. Photo by Amooo

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The seas surrounding the Maldives unfold an exotic realm of marine life. Innumerable species of possibly all colours, shapes, and sizes can be found right from the tepid waters of the ocean surface to the cold, dark abyss hundreds of kilometres below. The diving destination Maldives is particularly renown for its large pelagics like whales, whale sharks, manta rays or sharks that visit the area. Reef associated animals like turtles, groupers, moray eels or reef sharks can be frequently encountered during a snorkel or dive trip in the Maldives. Let’s take a closer look at probably the most popular large marine animals in the Maldives - The “Big 7 of Maldives�

THE WHALE SHARK 5KLQFRGRQ W\SXV LV WKH ODUJHVW ÂżVK LQ the world and grows possibly up to 21m in length, but rarely above 12m. With their huge size and distinctive spotting, whale sharks cannot be confused with any other species. These circumtropiFDO SHODJLF ÂżOWHU IHHGHUV RFFXU VLQJO\ RU in small schools, often near the surface. They feed mainly on plankton, sometimes on small pelagic crustaceans or

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VPDOO VFKRROLQJ ÂżVKHV Whale sharks have been caught for their OLYHU RLO DQG WKHLU ÂżQV XQWLO WKH 0LQLVWU\ of Fisheries and Agriculture imposed a EDQ RQ DOO ÂżVKLQJ FDSWXULQJ RU WDNLQJ LQ 1995. Whale sharks are sometimes seen by divers, normally during the southwest monsoon off the east coast and during the northeast monsoon off the west coast of the Maldives. Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is considered one of the few places in the world where whale sharks congregate to mate. It has recently been declared a

Marine Protected Area (MPA). Research by the “Maldives Whale Shark Project� suggests that many of the 90 individual whale sharks recorded from the Maldives are resident here all year round – which is unique within the Indian Ocean. 1 - A Snorkeller approaching the largest fish in the world, the Whale shark (Rhinchodon typus), indicating “Everything is OK!�. 2 - Divers and snorkellers can swim with this giant Whale shark without risk, apart from unintentional blows from the shark’s large tail fin. 3 - Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) are a common sight in the Maldives. 4 - Dolphins are a common bycatch in tuna fisheries – but not in the Maldives! The Maldivian tuna industry ensures that tuna fishery is “dolphin safe�. Photo Credits 1,2 - by Rifaa 3,4 - by Verena Wiesbauer Ali

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WHALES AND DOLPHINS !$

The Maldive islands lie in the Central Indian Ocean, at the very heart of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary (IOS), which was established by the International Whaling Commission in 1979. It is home to a remarkable abundance and diversity of cetaceans, including geographically isolated populations. The Maldivian cetacean community is diverse; a total of 19 different species have been recorded here, including 2 rare species of Beaked Whale (Anderson et al., 1999; Balance et al., 2001). Species include: Blue Whale, Bryde’s Whale, Spinner Dolphin, Rough-toothed Dolphin, Fraser’s Dolphin, Spotted Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Cuvier’s Beaked Whale, Blainville’s Beaked Whale, Ginkgotoothed Beaked Whale, Melon-headed Whale, Killer Whale, Pygmy Killer :KDOH )DOVH .LOOHU :KDOH 6KRUW ¿QQHG Pilot Whale, Sperm Whale and Dwarf Sperm Whale.

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All whales and dolphins are protected in Maldivian waters – the capture of all FHWDFHDQV LV VSHFL¿FDOO\ EDQQHG XQGHU Maldivian law, as is the export of cetacean products. Perhaps more importantly, all pelagic gill-net and purse-seine ¿VKLQJ LV EDQQHG LQ 0DOGLYHV LQ RUGHU to protect the traditional pole-and-line WXQD ¿VKHU\ $V D UHVXOW WKHUH LV QR FDWFK (direct or incidental) of cetaceans, and the Maldives is a sanctuary within the Sanctuary. Dolphins are often sighted in almost every atoll in Maldives.

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Whale sharks have been caught for their liver oil and their fins, until the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture imposed a ban on all fishing, capturing or taking in 1995

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MANTA RAYS

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Manta rays are particularly easy to watch in the Maldives as they occur seasonally at regular feeding and cleaning stations. At cleaning stations they are usually seen in small numbers, but when the currents are right for feeding, up to 100 may gather at one time in favoured channels. It is estimated that the total population for this small country in the middle of the Indian Ocean is likely to exceed ten thousand individuals. In three years of data collection, the Maldivian Manta Ray 3URMHFW 0053 KDV DOUHDG\ LGHQWLÂżHG over 1,500 different mantas with new individuals being sighted on a regular basis. In the southwest monsoon, an astonishing number of manta rays can be seen at /DQNDQÂżQROKX )DUX 0DQWD 3RLQW 1RUWK Male’ Atoll) when they come in to be cleaned, whereas during the northeast monsoon they can be encountered at Hukurueli Faru (Madivaru, Ari Atoll). This abundance of marine life has made the Maldives one of the top dive destinations in the world and Manta rays continue to be one of the ‘must sees’ for most of its visitors. Manta rays are therefore extremely important to tourism in the Maldives, which is by far the largest source of revenue for the country. A 56|

recent paper co-authored by the MMRP and other researchers valued direct revenue generation from manta ray diving and snorkelling at US $10 million annually in the Maldives. However, despite WKLV 0DQWD UD\V DUH QRW \HW VSHFLÂżFDOO\ protected by Maldivian Law and, as natural resources continue to be stretched in this developing nation, the negative associated impacts are increasingly affecting the Manta population.

5 - The Maldivian Manta Ray Project undertakes research on all aspects of the Maldivian manta ray population to create greater awareness and understanding of these graceful rays. 6 - One the best places to observe mantas is at cleaning stations. While these locations offer excellent close encounters, it’s important that divers never swim directly onto the cleaning station or inhibit the path of the mantas. 7 - The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) occurs regularly at particular channel entrances and current-swept reefs. 8 - Leopard or Zebra Sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum) are nocturnal and spend most of the day resting motionless on the sea floor. At night, they actively hunt for molluscs, crustaceans and small bony fishes inside holes and crevices in the reef. Photo Credits 5,6 by Amooo 7 by Rifaa 8 by Dr.Norman Quinn

DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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SHARKS

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Some people are frightened at the thought of swimming with sharks, others are thrilled. Of the forty or so species of sharks that have been recorded in the Maldives so far, the most familiar is perhaps the Blacktip Reef Shark. Juveniles occur in shallow water near island beaches, where they avoid larger, deeper-swimming sharks that might eat them. Large schools of Hammerhead sharks may be observed near Rasdhoo (Ari Atoll) and a few other sites. The Maldives are even home to one of the most dangerous sharks: the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), which has the worst reputation as one that attacks swimmers, GLYHUV DQG HYHQ ERDWV 1HYHUWKHOHVV the few people who have been bitten by sharks here are divers involved in VKDUN IHHGLQJ DQG ÂżVKHUPHQ ZKR DUH careless in landing sharks that they have caught. Therefore, diving with sharks remain popular and safe in the Maldives. The Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) might be seen on almost any dive or snorkel and is probably the most widespread shark species on Maldivian reefs. The other common species is the Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), which occurs regularly at particular channel entrances and currentswept reefs. Getting into position at the upstream of such dive sites is sometimes a challenge, but always rewarding. In March 2009, the Maldives imposed D EDQ RQ ÂżVKLQJ DOO VSHFLHV RI VKDUNV within twelve miles from the atoll rim of all Maldivian atolls following the precipitous decline in recent years in the number of reef sharks sighted by divers. It is hoped that the regulation to EDQ VKDUN ÂżVKLQJ ZRXOG VHH D UHYHUVDO in the declining shark populations of the Maldives.

Tel: +(960) 330 6693; Fax: +(960) 333 1643; HP: +(960) 796 1643

Web: www.escalemaldives.com, Email: reservations@escalemaldives.com !"#$%&'()*+,-"&'#)."/+,)'-"01"/--)))2<

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Save the sharks, Message from Water Solutions

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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9 - Although many people are frightened at the thought of swimming with sharks, Maldivian reef sharks are not at all aggressive towards snorkellers or divers. 10 - Each manta has a unique spot pattern on its underside, enabling researchers to track individual’s movements, plot migration routes and calculate population sizes. 11 - Whale sharks are gentle filter feeding sharks. Their main diet is plankton. 12 - Manta rays are listed as ‘near threatened’ by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and much scientific research is still needed to properly assess their status worldwide. 13 - Swimming with manta rays is an awesome experience, however divers and snorkellers should always ensure that they interact responsibly when encountering them. Chasing or attempting to touch or ride a manta will frequently result in them being frightened off. 14 - The Giant Moray (Gymnothorax javanicus, top) and the Honeycomb Moray (G. favagineus, bottom). Moray eels lack a gill cover and therefore have to open an close their mouth for respiration. Photo Credits 9 by Rifaa 10, 13 by Shafraaz Naeem. Photo courtesy of AEC Project 11 by Guy Stevens. Photo courtesy of AEC Project 12 by Amooo 14 by Dr. Reinhard Kikinger

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15 - Six of the eight species of marine turtles, like this Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), are found in the vast Indo-Pacific. 16 - Today, all species of turtles are considered threatened or endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). 17 - Groupers like this Camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion) predate on small fish and are also highly valued as food fish. Their numbers have seriously declined in the past years. 18 - A Giant Moray eel waiting to be cleaned by a cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus). 19 - The turtles we see swimming over the reef are very similar to ancestral forms that shared the seas with ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs 150 million years ago. 20 - A moray’s peculiar breathing is often mistaken for aggressive behaviour Photo Credits 15,16,18, 19 By Amooo 17 By Dr. Reinhard Kikinger 20 By Rifaa

TURTLES

GROUPERS

$PRQJ WKH ÂżYH PDULQH WXUWOHV YLVLWLQJ the Maldives, the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) are regularly seen on dives and snorkels and also frequently nest in the Maldives.

Groupers and their relatives (Basslets, 6RDS¿VKHV DQG $QWKLDV DOO EHORQJ WR RQH RI WKH ODUJHVW DQG PRVW GLYHUVH RI DOO ¿VK families on Maldivian reefs. The Groupers themselves are voracious predators RI VPDOO ¿VKHV 6RPH VSHFLHV JURZ XS to 90cm or more in size; hence Groupers have in recent years been heavily ¿VKHG IRU H[SRUW WR &KLQD +RQJ .RQJ DQG 7DLZDQ (DUOLHU ¿VKHG RQO\ IRU ORFDO consumption, Grouper stocks are now said to be dwindling, and sizes of catch thinning. Groupers are normally solitary ¿VK EXW WKH\ JDWKHU LQ VSDZQLQJ FRQgregations during full moon, normally EHWZHHQ 6HSWHPEHU DQG 1RYHPEHU /RFDO ¿VKHUPHQ DUH QRZ DZDUH RI WKH H[DFW times and days when groupers gather for spawning. This makes the spawning groupers very vulnerable. 0DOGLYLDQ ¿VKHUPHQ FDWFK *URXSHUV while snorkeling, swimming above their intended prey and dangling a baited hook just in front of its mouth. Such ¿VKHUPHQ DUH QRZ D QRW XQFRPPRQ sight around the atolls, with several ¿VKHUPHQ VZLPPLQJ RII IURP RQH ERDW HDFK WRZLQJ D ÀRDWLQJ EDVNHG EHKLQG in which they keep their catch alive. 7KLV ¿VKHU\ ZKLFK VWDUWHG LQ LV very selective in the sense that it only UHPRYHV ¿VK RI FRPPHUFLDO LQWHUHVW resulting in little waste. On the other KDQG LW HQDEOHV ¿VKHUPHQ WR SLFN RXW WKH EHVW ¿VK IRU FDSWXUH DQG DV D UHVXOW ODUJH Groupers are now much less common on Maldivian reefs than they used to be. An awareness-raising campaign for groupers has already been set up by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture together with the BOBP (Bay of Bengal Program) by printing an attractive poster on commercially-exploited groupers in the Maldives.

The sea turtles’ reproductive capacity increases with age. They start reproducing when they are between 20 and 30 years old, and lay a nest every 2 to 4 years. After the age of 30, they have the ability to reproduce every year, but typically lay just one nest. It is only when they are much older, approximately 45 years and above, that they are able to lay multiple nests. However, because they are often hunted by humans when they reach this age or size, such turtles are generally rare DQG GLI¿FXOW WR FRPH E\ The country has a long history of trade in turtle shells, until a Cabinet decision was made in 1995 that prohibited catching or killing of any marine turtle species, and the sale, import and export of its products. This decision was aimed at conserving the dwindling turtle population in the Maldivian waters, which the Government saw as a serious threat to the marine environment of the country.

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THE STORY Of

JETTIES Text by: Amooo

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etties may not sound much other than just a simple walkway on water. But if you ask a Maldivian what a jetty means, then he or she will have lot of stories to tell. We are not just talking about a wooden deck laid on concrete columns. We are talking about a very important infrastructure for Maldives that is associated with every aspect of life including social well being, economic development, health and safety and many more. Just how much do you know about the importance of this structure to Maldives?

The arrival jetty of Chaayaa Lagoon Hakuraa in Meemu Atoll considered one of the longest in Maldives. Photo by: Amooo

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To get on and off an island, you either need a harbor or a jetty or else the consequences can be disastrous

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In simple terms, a jetty can be described DV D SLOH RI ZRRGHQ SODQNV Âż[HG RQ D horizontal beam supported by either concrete or wooden columns. According to Wikipedia, “A jetty is a structure H[WHQGLQJ LQWR D ERG\ RI ZDWHU ZKLFK protects a harbour or coastline from the effects of currents and tidesâ€?. This is the simplest description and if you do a detail research on the types of jetties in Maldives, you are likely to come across many. Nevertheless, in Maldives a jetty is the gateway through which people JHW RQ DQG RII DQ LVODQG ,W LV GLIÂżFXOW WR GHWHUPLQH ZKHQ WKH ÂżUVW MHWW\ ZDV constructed, but evidence indicates that it KDV EHHQ LQ H[LVWHQFH IRU D IHZ KXQGUHG years. -HWWLHV H[WHQG IURP WKH LVODQGÂśV VKRUH WR an area that is safe for boats to come in, hence the length of jetties will vary depending upon the depth of lagoon. Every island is unique and so there is no hard and fast rules that can be applied when designing a jetty. Therefore, the importance of jetties is inevitable in Maldives. ,Q 0DOGLYHV MHWWLHV H[LVWHG EHIRUH WKH harbours and even today, jetties are H[WHQVLYHO\ XVHG LQ UHVRUWV DQG LVODQGV throughout the Maldives that act as a bridge between the island and the outside world. Without it, life would be incredibly tough for Maldivians. As important as they are, their placement is also vital in Maldives as the two monsoons can KDYH D VLJQLÂżFDQW HIIHFW RQ WKHLU XVage. On inhabited islands, they allow people and goods to safely get on and off the island without being damaged. On resorts, they serve the same purpose. In addition, you will often see them connecting the over-water structures to the main island. These over-water structures include water villas, over-water spas, over-water restaurants, etc. On industrial and agricultural islands, they serve the same purpose as well. Connect the island to the outside world

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1 - The arrival jetty of Coco Palm Bodu Hithi Resort. 2 - The water villa access jetty in Coco Palm Bodu Hithi. 3 - A group of people trying to board a speedboat from an island without a jetty. 4 - A very basic jetty in an inhabited. Similar jetties can still be seen in some islands, though its not very common. 5 - The arrival jetty of Kanuhuraa Resort in Lhaviyani atoll 6 - In Narudhoo island, Shaviyani atoll, a man tries to get on a small Bokkuraa. No jetty nor a habour means people have to get on and off this island using similar small Bokkuraa’s, a very difficult task.

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All Photos by Amooo except photo 4 Photo 4 by Riya

JETTIES, PART OF EVERYDAY LIVING FOR RURAL ISLANDS Imagine getting on and off an island without a jetty. Now imagine getting essential food supplies and materials to an island where there is no jetty. Now imagine a pregnant women in labour pain trying to get on a boat from an island where there is no jetty nor a harbour. These PD\ VRXQG H[WUHPH HYHQWV EXW WKHVH DUH some of the realities that Maldivians face almost on a daily basis. Despite the current development status, it is a sad fact that even today some islands are without a jetty nor a safe harbour. Getting on and off these islands is a nightmare and people have suffered enormously and LQFXUUHG VLJQLÂżFDQW ORVVHV 'XH WR WKH scattered nature of the islands, sea transport happens to be the only option; with WKH H[FHSWLRQ RI LVODQGV WKDW DUH FORVH to regional airports. People on these islands would still have to travel by sea to the airport island. To get on and off an island, you either need a harbour or a jetty; or else the consequences can be disastrous. In calm weather and sea conditions, boats can come up to the beach and get people on and off, but even when WKH FRQGLWLRQV DUH H[WUHPHO\ FDOP LW VWLOO does not solve anything. Large boats cannot easily beach and even if they can, no captain would ever do this as a means to get on and off an island. Although this is the practice most small boats follow, no large vessel will ever do this.

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Fuvahmulah island with a population of 9,000 in the south of Maldives is a W\SLFDO H[DPSOH RI WKH VHULRXV GLIÂżFXOties faced by the people due to a lack of safe means of access to an island. Until 17 July 2003, Fuvahmulah did not have a harbour nor a jetty. The opening of the ORQJ DZDLWHG KDUERXU VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ HQhanced the social and economic development of Fuvahmulah. www.escalemaldives.com | !"#$%&'()*+,-"&'#)."/+,)'-"01"/--)))2;

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Lack of a safe and an adequate harbour had posed tremendous hardships on the people of Fuvahmulah. Several people have lost their lives while leaving or going to the island. Unfortunately, it includes some of my friends too. Until the completion of this harbour, access to the island had been a perilous undertaking as there was neither a safe anchorage nor a calm lagoon with an entrance. Small boats had to beach with the force of waves breaking on the shore. The lucky ones survive this tough maneuver while the unlucky ones either get drowned or get lost. Due to the unique geography of Fuvahmulah, the island is formed in the middle of the ocean with hardly any reef. Fuvahmulah is one of the few islands that are complete atolls in themselves, among the 26 naturally formed atolls of the Maldives. Among such atolls are Maamakunudu and Kaashidoo. Accessing the island has been a huge challenge until 2003. Due to the impossibility of safely off-loading goods, cargo vessels have had to wait weeks for calmer seas. The only other option is to beach on the shore with the force of the waves in small boats or “Bokkuraaâ€?, as they are commonly called. This is only possible when the waves are not too strong. Had there been a jetty, it would have been all too simple. Goods worth millions of UXIÂż\\D OLH RQ WKH VHDEHG DOO ORVW GXULQJ WKLV WRXJK H[HUFLVH :KHWKHU \RX OLNHG LW or not, it had to be done and this was the practice until 17th July 2003. 7KRXJK )XYDKPXODK LV DQ H[WUHPH H[ample, there are also many other islands 68|

where lack of a safe means of getting RQ DQ RII DQ LVODQG KDV SRVHG VLJQLÂżFDQW challenges. In a recent visit to Narudhoo island in Shaviyani atoll, some people related to me stories where women have given birth on boats. They had to wait until the conditions are right before the small Bokkuraas are able to beach. Until then, all they could do was wait. The nearest hospital is located in the atoll capital Funadhoo which is roughly a KRXUÂśV ERDW ULGH Jetties are also very important for the tourism sector without which we would not be at this level of development. If resorts were to build a harbour, then the whole concept of the resort is lost. As a result, harbours are not preferred by most developers as they are aesthetically unappealing and they create more environmental problems. Despite this, few of the new generation resorts are now opting for harbours but they still have not abandoned the jetty. It is almost standard practice to have two jetties on a resort island, one for guest arrivals and one for service. In addition, if over-water structures are present, there is always an access jetty. In very high end resorts, jetties are deliberately eliminated, thereby detaching over water villas and other structures from the main island adding that unique DQG LVRODWHG OX[XU\ IHHO *RRG H[DPSOHV are the detached water villas in Soneva *LOL UHVRUW LQ QRUWK 0DOHÂś DWROO 7KRXJK operationally it poses certain issues, it increases the value of the property.

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Cargo vessels have to wait sometimes weeks before they can unload their goods simply because they don’t have a safe means of offloading their goods

)RU UHVRUW LVODQGV MHWWLHV DUH DQ H[WUHPHO\ LPSRUWDQW VWUXFWXUH )URP WKH YHU\ ÂżUVW stage of construction to operation, jetties IRUP WKH YHU\ EDVLF DQG ÂżUVW LQIUDVWUXFture that come to life. They allow First, they have to be properly located for use during both seasons. Second, WKH\ KDYH WR H[WHQG ORQJ HQRXJK LQ WR WKH lagoon so that boats can berth alongside. For jetties that provide access to overZDWHU VWUXFWXUHV WKHLU H[LVWHQFH SOD\V D vital role in the operation of the resort. Imagine the operational cost a resort have to bear if there were 50 rooms over-water and detached from the main island. Without a jetty, it would be a very H[SHQVLYH H[HUFLVH WR PDQDJH WKHP

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Jetties come in all shapes and sizes but the principle is the same. There are long jetties, short jetties, wooden jetties, concrete jetties and even coral jetties. The acceptable means of construction is very simple. Place some concrete columns on a foundation pad and place them on the seabed. Once that is done, connect these columns using a beam and place wooden planks. Or why not just stick some wooden poles or steel pipes and then place some planks on them. Your jetty is complete. :KHWKHU WKH\ DUH ORQJ VKRUW RU H[WUD long, whether they are made from wood or steel, jetties are here to stay for a very YHU\ ORQJ WLPH , GRQÂśW WKLQN 0DOGLYLDQV will ever abandon the use of jetties, at OHDVW QRW LQ WKH QHDU IXWXUH 6R QH[W WLPH you go to an island, check them out. Go and take a walk on them. Go underneath them if you can and appreciate their place in our lives. I am sure they will impress you. !"#"$"%&"' ((()(*+*,"-*.)/$0 ĹšĆŠĆ‰Í—ÍŹÍŹÇ Ç Ç Í˜Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ƞƾǀĂŚžƾůÄ‚ĹšÍ˜ĹśÄžĆžĹ?ĆŒĹľĆ?͘Ä?Žž͏ĹšÄ‚ĆŒÄ?Ĺ˝ĆŒÍ˜ĹšĆšžů

"# 7 - An excavator being used to carry a man ashore to an island without a jetty. 8 - A Bokkuraa (small local dinghy) is used on this island to get on and off due to the absence of a jetty. 9 - The busy passenger jetty at Hanimaadhoo island. 10 - A poorly constructed wooden jetty in an inhabited island. 11 - Cargo offloading on Cinamon Island Alidhoo in Haa Alif atoll. 12 - Floating jetties are the latest addition to the list of jetties in Maldives that conveniently allow people to emplane and de-plane from sea planes. All photos by Amooo except photo 7 & 10. Photo 7 & 10 by Riya.

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SH PES OF OUR ISLANDS Text by: AJ

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or centuries, writers and poets have extensively written about the beauty of our islands. It was only a few decades ago that we were able to get a bird’s eye view of this beauty when aerial photography became possible. One of the most striking features of our islands is it’s SHAPE. So what does the shape of an island really represent? Does it have any significance at all? The thrill in seeing these delicate and tiny islands from above is not only due from the white beaches and blue lagoons surrounding the island, but also largely from the various shapes of these islands.

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Facing Page: Islands of Laamu atoll 1 - Kafeena island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll 2 - An uninhabited island in Lhaviyani atoll. Photos by Amooo

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Studying the shapes of islands could be an interesting topic to develop your PhD proposal if you are planning to get away from work and brush up your studying skills. .

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Shape is an interesting topic in geometry. We get introduced to shapes at a very tender age. Some of the shapes we learn to draw are circles, triangles, square and rectangles. Some of our islands have WDNHQ WKHVH GH¿QHG VKDSHV $FFRUGLQJ WR VFLHQWL¿F UHVHDUFK JHWWLQJ DFTXDLQWHG with the simple different shapes and colours fascinates young minds. Everything they need to learn can be integrated with the use of shapes and colours. It all begins from there. So from an early educational point of view, shapes play a vital role in our lives and how we interpret the outside world. Perhaps, that is the reason why we are so eager about the shape of an island. The islands of Maldives are formed in various shapes and sizes. Unless you see an island from above, it LV GLI¿FXOW WR GHWHUPLQH WKH VKDSH of it. In spite of having spent our whole lives on these islands, it is still intriguing to see and contemplate about its different shapes. (YHU\ WLPH ZH JHW RQ D ÀLJKW ZH FDQœW KHOS EXW VWDUH DW WKHP ,W LV only then that we truly realize how interesting the shape of our islands are. Shapes of islands play a vital role in everyday life of the inhabitants of these beautiful islands. Shapes determine where a jetty or harbour can be constructed. These are indispensable infrastructures for an island. Shapes determine the vulnerability of islands, whether it is seasonal erosion or a tsunami. It also determines where people live on an island. The shape of an island are even more important for tourist resorts because it can be incorporated in to the overall GHVLJQ WR EULQJ RXW D VSHFL¿F WKHPH RU look. Shapes play a vital role in how an island can be marketed as a destinaWLRQ )RU H[DPSOH WKH VKDSH RI DQ LVODQG determines the linear beach available on an island, thus indicating the number of beach villas and water villas that could be developed. Compare a circular island and a crescent shaped island. Which shape do you think is more important from the point of view of available linear beach?. Of course, the crescent shaped island has more linear beach than the circular island. Shapes also determine where over-water structures can be developed. Over-water structures, most

notably over-water villas have become a norm in the modern day resort; today it is DOPRVW LPSRVVLEOH WR ÂżQG DQ LVODQG ZLWKout them. Shapes also play a vital role in shaping the beach around an island, thus LQĂ€XHQFLQJ GHVLJQHUV DQG DUFKLWHFWV WR incorporate the elements of nature in the PDULQH HQYLURQPHQW )RU H[DPSOH VDQG spits around an island can be formed at certain locations due to the shape of an LVODQG 6KDSHV LQĂ€XHQFH WKLV WKURXJK altering surface currents and winds that make the sand move or become stagnant. As a result, this natural phenomenon is used for the advantage of many designers and architects while designing an island as a resort. Several of these elements are already incorporated in resorts that are currently in operation in the Maldives. Studying the shapes of islands could be an interesting topic to develop your PhD proposal if you are planning to get away from work and brush up your studying skills. Very few studies have been done focusing on the shapes of the islands, especially in Maldives. It may VRXQG VLPSOH EXW WKH WRSLF LV H[WUHPHO\

3 - Kumburudhoo island in Haa Dhaal atoll 4 - Bolifushi island 5 - Eriyadhoo island in Shaviyani atoll 6 - Hanifaru reef and Hanifarurah in Baa atoll 7 - Hinnavaru island 8 - One and Only Reethi Rah Photo Credits 3,4,6,8 by DigitalGlobe 5,7 By Amooo

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FRPSOH[ DQG VFLHQWLÂżFDOO\ WKHUH DUH many theories and underlying phenomena that make the shape of an island XQLTXH $ VLPSOH H[DPSOH LV KRZ WKH differently shaped islands were affected by the Asian Tsunami that swept through the Indian Ocean in December 2004. ,W LV LQWHUHVWLQJ WR QRWH WKDW WKH LVODQGÂśV VKDSH ZDV D VLJQLÂżFDQW IDFWRU WKDW PDGH them resilient from the tsunami. It was found that circular islands which were inside the atolls were less impacted by the Tsunami wave compare to other shaped islands located on the atoll rims. Shape of islands was a major part of my research undertaken for a Masters thesis at University of Canterbury in 2007. According to the research, 14.7% of our islands are circular. Most common island shape is elongated, which accounts to 85.3%. This shape includes kite, crescent and rectangular shapes. In Maldives, islands are also continuously changing shape due to natural causes and human actions. Do not be surprised to see an island which you visited some years ago in a completely different shape WKH QH[W WLPH \RX YLVLW 1DWXUDOO\ VKDSHV are altered mainly by erosion and accretion. During the north-east and southwest monsoons, the shore line changes to accommodate the forces of nature thus altering the shape of an island. This is a natural phenomenon which is a very interesting science. But today, the number one reason for drastic changes in island shape occurs as a result of developmental activities, most notably reclamation. In order to create more land for the increase in population and developmental activities, several islands have been reclaimed, thus altering their shape forever. These islands will never be the same again. Though it may look odd and environPHQWDOO\ XQMXVWLÂżDEOH LW LV GRQH WR cater for the needs of the people. Today, several islands from north to south have been given new shapes through reclamation. After few years, the new generation will never know that their island was once in a different shape. Some of these islands will probably get a new shape after a few years and some may remain so. Only time would tell.

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Have you ever wondered why circular islands do not have natural harbours on the leeward side; why beach rock is found on one side of a crescent shaped island and how large beaches are found on oval shaped islands? If you are curious to know answers, then consider yourself an island enthusiast. Nature has created these islands with unique shapes and they are part of everyday living for Maldivians. We appreciate the shapes though we do not know much 76|

about how they came in to existence. The shape of Maldivian islands play an integral role in the lives of Maldivians. It determines the individual character of these islands and its relationship with its inhabitants.

#% 9 - Naivaadhoo island in Haa Dhaal atoll 10 - Vashafaru island (right) in Haa Dhaal atoll 11 - Maadhoo and Kuda finolhu in South Male’ atoll 12 - Kanifinolhu in North Male’ atoll 13 - Villigili in Gaafu Alif Atoll has a new shape after a major reclamation to increase land. Photo Credits 9, 10, 11, & 12 by DigitalGlobe 13 by Amooo

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get to know everything about Maldives before you come - order your copy today !

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Mapping Maldives Why it is a challenge ?

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he Maldives was known to ancient mariners, as being a particular hazard to ships sailing to and from India. Today super tankers plying between the Gulf and Japan plus cargo ships bound for Colombo and the Far East from Europe pass very close to the islands.

The Maldives was known to ancient mariners, as being a particular hazard to ships sailing to and from India. Today super tankers plying between the Gulf and Japan plus cargo ships bound for Colombo and the Far East from Europe pass very close to the islands. A captain of a cruise liner confessed to passengers in 1994, ‘I was surprised to see the Admiralty Charts for the Maldives, through which we passed in the dark, were printed in England in 1839.’ It is a fact that the charts still in use today are essentially those surveyed and produced in 1835–39. Before then, the Maldives were marked on charts as a crudely drawn line of atolls, including islands which did not actually exist. Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan traveller, wrote: ‘When a vessel arrives at any one of them [the atolls] it must take one of the inhabitants to pilot it to the other islands. They are so closely set that on leaving one island, the tops of the palms on another is visible. If a ship loses its course, it is unable to enter and is carried by the wind to the Coromandel Coast [Malabar] or Ceylon.’ Even in present day, mapping the Maldives accurately has been a formidable challenge and although the government and the private sector is doing surveying work at various levels, it is yet to be completed.

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Our island’s are extremely dynamic natural bodies and keeps changing their shape seasonally due to natural erosion and KXPDQ LQÀXHQFHV $V D UHVXOW WKH H[DFW number of islands in the archipelago is a mystery. The British Admiralty chart lists some 1,100 islands, while the latest statistics indicate 1,192. If sand bars and coral RXWFURSV ZHUH LQFOXGHG WKH ¿JXUH ZRXOG have been close to 2,000. Obtaining an DFFXUDWH ¿JXUH LV IXUWKHU FRPSOLFDWHG E\ the fact that islands appear or get washed out. Some combine, others split in two and occasionally islets emerge from the coral reefs. A 1955 storm created three new islands in Shaviyani Atoll, while others have slowly eroded. Around 1960, for instance, the fairly large island of Feydhoo Finolhu in Male’ Atoll almost vanished through a combination of natural erosion and inhabitants taking away sand. It was later rebuilt. Similarly, the December 2004 tsunami split the island of Kalhufahalafushi in Thaa atoll in two. To compound matters, as yet there is no agreement on what exactly constitutes an island: what, for instance, is the status of a large sand spit? Yet all this is part of the mystique of travelling through the Maldives, where you may come across an island which has no name, is not shown on any map and has no human footprint on its shores. Many more show signs of past settlement, and some desert islands are used regularly by neighbouring islandHUV IRU FROOHFWLQJ ¿UHZRRG FRFRQXWV DQG even for cultivation. Also, some islands (like the island of Kuda Bandos, near the capital) are often used as a destination for weekend / holiday breaks. So as a surveyor, we need to be able to ¿QG D ZD\ WR PDS WKHVH G\QDPLF HQYLURQPHQWV DQG ¿QG PHWKRGV WR UHSUHVHQW WKHVH changes in such a way that it becomes simple and understandable for the user. In concept, it’s simple. All we need is to refer to one point as a reference level which is known as Datum and keep recording the changes at given intervals. But in practice, it is a bit complicated. When measuring the height of the island, especially in coastal areas, permanent reference points have to be established. This can only be done in inhabited islands or resorts where permanent structures like harbours, jetties, villas and bungalows exist. In remote and uninhabited islands, due to lack of any permanent structures and thick vegetation, it becomes very cumbersome to establish these markers. In Maldives, these constraints have created huge challenges

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to surveyors for a very long time and continues to do so. Use of aerial photographs have been a common method to measure the changes in the shoreline, but more importantly this method also require ground control points for correction, alignment and quality control. Today we use high precision GPS to map the coastal areas by deriving coordinates in XYZ using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) techniques. This not only allows completion of mapping in less time but also assists in analysing the spatial data using powerful Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Town planners, engineers and architects have great ideas to develop a property or an island. Yet they do require a map to commence any venture. How can one be aware of an island or a sand bank unless it is marked on a map? Or how can an architect determine the size, shape and number of rooms in developing a resort? How about the depths in the lagoon where the over-water villa will be constructed? All these decisions require a proper survey. Unfortunately, many developers fail to recognize this and tend to skip the surveying component hoping to save money. But in-fact, what they don’t know is that without a proper survey, architects, engineers and planners will not be able to do their job properly. This is where a surveyor comes handy.

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I was surprised to see the Admiralty Charts for the Maldives, through which we passed in the dark, were printed in England in 1839

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1 - Mapping Maldives is a tough job. Surveyors from Water Solutions Pvt ltd. undertaking a large scale mapping project in Gaafu Dhaalu Madaveli region. During this project, the team had to walk on the seagrass covered lagoon for hours crossing three inhabited islands, most of the time carrying heavy equipment. 2 - A surveyor using differential GPS to map an area. 3 - A surveyor undertaking a beach profile in an island to be developed in to a resort. 4 - Soneva fushi (foreground), Eydhafushi island (middle) and Maaddoo island (far end) in Baa atoll 5 - A hydrographic survey being carried out by a surveyor from Water Solutions Pvt.Ltd. 6 - The December 2004 tsunami split the island of Kalhufahalafushi in Thaa atoll in two. Photos Credits: 1,3 by Riya 2,4,5,6 by Amooo

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Features The main market for the surveying and mapping industry in the Maldives is developing large scale Topographic Maps of 1:1000 and 1:500 scales. In simple terms, a topographic map is a representation of the land and its features. When topographic maps are developed, it is important to be able to compare it with old maps for changes to landscape. This is especially relevant to determine the changes in vegetation and urban areas. Most of our islands have not been mapped in a large scale at 1:1000, which creates problems for surveyors. It is essential to establish a reference network on the island in order to map the island. Most countries would use a National Coordinate System as US State Plane 1983 for USA and Ordinance Survey National Grid for the UK. Maldives does not have a National Mapping agency to regulate mapping nor a National Coordinate System has been established. This creates FRQĂ€LFWV LQ DOLJQLQJ GLIIHUHQW PDSV GXH to different coordinate systems and map projections. 7KH ÂżQDO SURVSHFW RI PDSSLQJ WKDW , would like to highlight is Hydro-graphic or sea bed mapping. The British admiralW\ RIÂżFH FKDUWHG WKH 0DOGLYHV WR GHYHORS admiralty charts in the 19th century and these charts are still used in navigation although some southern and central regions have been updated in recent years. These are small scale charts covering large areas. Recently, due to development of more resorts and reclamation projects, a number of hydrograhic surveys have been

undertaken by companies like Water Solutions (www.water-solutions.biz). Most importantly, the private and public sector VWDQGV WR JDLQ HQRUPRXV EHQHÂżWV DQG FRVW reduction from highly detail and accurate bathymetries. I have been working as a surveyor for the past few years and each and every mapping project that I undertook has been a challenge. The development of modern survey equipments like Air-borne Lasers, Laser scanners, high resolution satellite images Multibeam Sonar would increase precision and save a lot of time.

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Mapping this tiny nation is a tough job, EXW EHLQJ D VXUYH\RU DGGLWLRQDO EHQHÂżWV I receive are the opportunities to visit different islands and the thrill and enjoyment found along the way. With every survey, I learn something new, meet new people and also get to visit and learn about new places.

7 - Surveyors from Water Solutions checking a map before a survey. 8 - Use of differential GPS to map an island by Water Solutions. 9 - Water Solutions surveyors in the field. Photos credits: 7,8 by Amooo 9 by AJ

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get to know everything about Maldives before you come - order your copy today ! AVAILABLE FROM ATOLL IMAGES Ma.Shah, Dhidhi Golhi, Male’, Maldives Tel: (960) 3341643, Fax: (960) 3331643 www.atoll-images.com Email: info@atoll-images.com

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What kind of water villas? Text by: Amooo

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ater villas, as we all know, are at the top in luxury accommodation in Maldives. They are unique, expensive and provide a different kind of experience for the holiday makers. Everything about a water villa is about water. They are constructed over water and are surrounded by water. When you wake up, you see the ocean and in some villas, even while taking a shower or answering the call of nature, you see nothing but water.

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Today, you can see these types of water villas in virtually every resort under construction

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1 - Water villas at Chaaya lagoon Hakuraa 2, 3 - Water villas at Coco Palm Bodu Hithi 4 - A detached water villa at Soneva Gili resort 5 - Water villa at Reethi Beach Resort 6- Water Villa at Coco Palm Dhunikolhu 7 - Double story water villa at Cinnamon Island Alidhoo Photo Credits 1,5,6,7 by Amooo 2,3 by Coco Palm Bodu Hithi 4 - Courtesy of Soneva Gili Resort

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8,9,11 - A batch of over-water labour accommodations in a resort under construction. They are built very close to the shore and connected to the island by timber ramps. 10 - Plumbing and other services provided to these over-water villas are very basic and temporary.

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Photos by Amooo

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II Dive sites for the absolute beginner M aldives is renown for its beautiful white beaches, atolls and islands, but there is much more than this that the Maldives has to offer. What is beneath these unique atolls is more interesting than one can ever imagine.

Text & Photos by: Amooo

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Instructors and dive masters will usually take beginners to places where it is usually easy and comfortable to dive and not necessarily to the best dive sites

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With more than eight years in service, we have now emerged as the luxury escape in hair and beauty services in the Maldives. The latest trends and fashions in Haircuts and Styling, Colouring and Highlights, Manicure, Nail Art and Pedicure, Facials and Waxing, Massages including Hot Stones, exclusive Hair Styles and Makeup for different functions and Bridal Make-ups to suit your looks, are included in the expansion of our broad range of services for Men, Women and Children. Our greatest strength is our commitment to excel in the art and skills of the industry and this is provided by our team of professionals using the latest equipment and techniques. Our aim is to maintain the highest level of quality service in the application of skills and techniques to create pure personal designs for each client in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

M. Saina, 1st Floor, Fareedhee Magu, Male’, Rep. of Maldives Tel: (+960) 332 1686 http://www.suissalon.com

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Exploring the mystery of the Maldivian Queen M Text & Photos by: Amooo

aldives was once ruled by a woman, Sultana KHADEEJA REHENDHI KABAIDHI. In the history of Maldives, only very few women ruled this island nation. This was hundreds of year ago in 1342 AD. In the new millennium, a new queen ruled the Maldives until 29 June 2007. Her name was Nooraanee Queen and unlike Sultana Khadeeja, she was ruling the Maldivian seas, not the land.

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!# 1 - View of the wreck from east to west showing the stern 2 - The badly damaged viewing deck hanging.

Nooraanee Queen was a famous liveaboard yacht, the largest luxury cruise of its kind ever built in the Maldives. Of course today there are much larger vessels. Engineered in 1999, Nooranee 4XHHQ ZDV RQH RI WKH ODUJHVW DQG ¿Qest liveaboards in Maldives. She was 135 feet long and ruled the atolls, most notably Male’, Ari and Vaavu atoll. With state of the art equipment and engine, this liveaboard vessel provided superlative facilities to her passengers. In her heyday, she was ranked as the number one liveaboards in Maldives and the largest. With the capacity for a crew of 22, Nooranee Queen was designed to provide accommodation to around 40 passengers in 20 fully air-conditioned cabins, including six deluxe double rooms, three superior double rooms, one superior single and one superior triple room. Each of her cabin had satellite television, music system, telephone and en-suite bathroom with hot water shower in addition to a top class kitchen, restaurant serving international dishes, coffee shop, two fully stocked bars and two sun decks. In addition, water sports activi-

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ties and even PADI diving courses were offered to passengers on board. Truly EHÂżWWLQJ WKH Âł4XHHQ´ WLWOH Sadly today, this famous Queen lies at the bottom of the sea at 24 metres and just 300 metres west of Guraidhoo in Guraidhoo lagoon, south Male’ atoll. This was her last berthing place and KHU ÂżQDO UHVWLQJ JURXQG 7KH YHVVHO ZDV FRPSOHWHO\ GHVWUR\HG DIWHU FDWFKLQJ ÂżUH which quickly spread across the entire vessel, leaving nothing salvage. June 29, 2007 was a typical day for the Queen. She was ready to welcome a large group of tourists the following day for another epic tour of the atolls. The crew was busy preparing the vessel for guests. According to Abdul Latheef, WKH FDSWDLQ DW DURXQG SP WKH ÂżUH alarms went off and they discovered the ÂżUH 7KH EOD]H TXLFNO\ VSUHDG DFURVV WKH entire vessel. The crew did their best to FRQWDLQ WKH ÂżUH DQG LQ WKHLU HIIRUW XVHG HLJKW ÂżUH H[WLQJXLVKHUV EXW QRQH FRXOG save the queen, recalls the captain. She ZDV HQJXOIHG LQ Ă€DPHV ZLWKLQ PLQXWHV

!% 3 - The glory days. The queen in her heyday was among the top liveaboards in Maldives. 4 - A well-deserved buffet dinner being enjoyed by guests after a full day of cruising the atolls. 5 - The exposed engine room with the two generators . 6 - View of the wreck from the port side.

QUICK FACTS !"#$%&'()*+#+(),-&!"#$%&'(')'*'+,%'(%-../0% +"#%12#34%'(%&'(')*#%52.6%7).&#8 '.%%$)#,-&9#$#27**%(*.18 *+/$&*%+00-&:.%2#5#2#$3#%*'$#%.2%2##50%(.%"7&#% ƚŽ ĚĞĆ?Ä?ĞŜĚ ƾŜĆ&#x;ĹŻ ƚŚĞ Ç ĆŒÄžÄ?ĹŹ Ĺ?Ć? ĆŒÄžÄ‚Ä?ĹšÄžÄšÍ˜ 1"%+)$&0+2$-&;#2,%<..2%7(%+"#%12#34%'(%&#2,% LJŽƾŜĹ?͘ ŽŜĆš ĞdžƉĞÄ?Ćš ƚŽ Ć?ĞĞ ĂŜLJ Ĺ?ĹśĆšÄžĆŒÄžĆ?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? 672'$#%*'5#8 *+/$&(3$%"#(%-&=(37*#%>7*/'&#(%%?1118 #(37*#67*/'&#(83.6@%.2-7$'(#(%(<#3'7*%/'&'$-% +.A2(%+.%6.(+%/'&#%('+#(%'$%>7*/'&#(8% 1"4&*$3#5-&ĎŽĎ° ĹľÄžĆšĆŒÄžĆ? Ä‚Ćš ƚŚĞ Ä?ŽƊŽžÍ˜ 6$"%&,.)7-&BCCD8

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Fortunately, the queen had two diving dhoni’s (local name for small boats) and one rescue speedboat besides her, which always stays with her no matter where she is. These vessels were used to evacuate everyone on board. Unfortunately one crew member died but fortunately the two diving dhonis and rescue boat along with the rest of the crew survived this ordeal. The badly burned dead body was later recovered by Maldives police. None of the surviving crew members could salvage anything; except the cloths they were wearing. Today, beneath the blue lagoon, she is just another wreck, perhaps the latest addition to the list of wrecks in Maldives. Many divers wouldn’t know about this wreck as this was sunk very recently and none of the diving books nor guides currently on the market feature this wreck. Only very few liveaboards have become shipwrecks in Maldives. Most wrecks in Maldives are FDUJR VKLSV ¿VKLQJ YHVVHOV DQG VPDOO dhoni’s. Nooraanee Queen will remain there for a very very long time. Unlike other Queens, her graceful aging attracts more visitors and will continue to do so in the years to come.

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For experienced divers, this may not be a wreck worthwhile diving, but it surely does have an interesting story behind her. For people who had spent time with her, it will be a memorable dive to see her at the bottom of the seabed, looking completely opposite of what she was during her days of ruling the Maldivian waters. A friend of mine told me about her and instantly I had the craving to go and visit her although I am married. I wanted to bring her back to life, perhaps not the way she used to be, but through a story. Although there is nothing much to see LQ WHUPV RI PDULQH OLIH LWÂśV DQ DPD]LQJ experience to see the amount of destruction and damage. I was curious because she has been down there for only a short period of time and that she has been such a famous and talked about Queen in recent years. Although famous, I have never even seen a photo of this beautiful queen before the dive. I wonder what the subjects of the Queen would feel when they see her at 24 metres beneath the lagoon. 7KH ZUHFN LV QRW GLIÂżFXOW WR DFFHVV DQG with good visibility; it is even visible from the surface. She lies with her bow facing west and starboard towards north in an upright position. If the visibility is not good, then you will need a good dive guide familiar with the location as RWKHUZLVH YLVLELOLW\ FDQ PDNH LW GLIÂżFXOW to pinpoint the exact location. Most importantly, the location is a famous berthing point for safari vessels and chances are that there will always be at least one safari vessel docked nearby. Therefore before diving, make sure you have surface marker buoys and a surface support boat or a dinghy.

A typical dive would be a straight descent as the wreck lies away from the reef slope. Depending on the currents, the dive can begin either from the bow or stern and as it is not very deep, it can be circled and inspected and still come up with enough air. Most notable features of the dive include the three generators in the engine room which are all exposed resulting from the entire destruction of the top two decks and a toilet seat, which would otherwise be accessible through a staircase. According to the captain, the owners recovered the two main engines a week after the incident, but they were too www.escalemaldives.com | !"#$%&'()*+,-"&'#)."/+,)'-"01"/--)))47=

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damaged to be salvaged. There are also partially burnt dive tanks, plates, kettles, jugs and I am sure there will be plenty more to explore beneath the lower deck. One note of caution though is that divers shouldn’t attempt to enter the lower deck unless they are properly trained on such manoeuvres. If anyone has seen a photo of this queen while she was alive, LW ZLOO RQO\ EH VHFRQGV EHIRUH UHDOL]LQJ the amount of destruction caused by the ¿UH 7KH HQWLUH WRS WZR GHFNV KDYH EHHQ completely burnt. The entire structure above the hull seems to have been GHVWUR\HG E\ WKH ¿UH ,W KDV QRW EHHQ underwater long enough for any coral JURZWK EXW GXULQJ P\ ¿UVW GLYH KHUH IHZ VSHFLHV RI ¿VKHV ZHUH REVHUYHG DQG algae has already started growing on the wreck. There are broken pieces of wood, sun deck and windows lying all around the wreck. Towards half way along the length, you could see debris from broken ceramic plates, tea cups and even a rusty kettle indicating the dining and kitchen area. The wreck has a thick layer of silt from the ashes and forms a thick lining on the exposed deck. Good buoyancy control is therefore a must to maintain good visibility, especially when you dive over the wreck. Towards the stern, lies the exposed generators and the entire engine room itself is badly damaged and exposed. There are so much debris covered under a layer of silt, it is very hard to make out which is what. There are all kinds of debris from electrical wires, metal and wood scrap, broken windows, glass, tables, engines, dive tanks and much more in this area. The most dramatic view of the wreck is seen from the east facing the stern. To see the wreck from this angle, one needs to dive slightly east from the stern and then approach the wreck from east towards west. You can still see the staircase to the upper deck and the sun deck hanging from the wreck. This used to be at the back of the vessel. Nooranee Queen is a wreck that has just begun the journey in to becoming a true ZUHFN ,Q WLPH FRUDOV ZLOO JURZ DQG ¿VKes will make this their home. It is very likely that in future many divers will include this in their list of wrecks to dive in Maldives. But even before that, she

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!) 7 - The bow of the wreck. 8 - View of the bow from the lower deck. 9 - Part of the engine room showing debris of all types. 10 - Location of the wreck.

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has already ruled the atolls and won the hearts of many people and surely she will be talked about for many years to come. Perhaps, Nooraanee Queen is on course to rule the waters around her, just like she ruled the atolls entertaining people from all works of life. Who knows? During the interview with the former captain, he highlighted the importance of proper safety measures to prevent such incidences. According to the captain, proper training on safety procedures and ¿UH GULOOV VKRXOG QHYHU EH LJQRUHG DQG XQGHUHVWLPDWHG +H HPSKDVL]HG WKH QHHG to train the crew in proper safety proceGXUHV DQG ¿UH GULOOV DQG WR GR LW UHJXODUO\ so that the crew can handle and manage such disasters. He insists that the safety procedures and drills should be conducted regularly on all vessels and they must be up to International Maritime Organi]DWLRQ¶V ,02 VWDQGDUGV 7KH FDSWDLQ hopes that owners and operators of other vessel will take this advice seriously.

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Nooraanee Queen is certainly not the best wreck to dive, but she has her place in our history and for travelers and people who loved her and had been with her, it will certainly be a wreck worthwhile to visit, even if once. The good news is that she is gracefully aging in the clear waters of Guraidhoo lagoon. Soon she will rule the seas and awaits to entertain YOU.

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!"#$%&'()*#+(,' Environmental Consultancy We have undertaken environmental consultancy for the Government , Private sector and International clients in various projects including Wastewater , water supply among others. Mapping & Surveying We have undertaken surveys of harbours , Causeways , Entrance channels, Inhabited islands, Resorts, Marinas, Reefs and lagoons , Tree surveys , Exsiting structural surveys , Settting out surveys, both on land and on water, hydrographic surveys, aerial photographic survey etc.

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DĂ͘^ŚĂŚ͕ ŚŝĚŚŝ 'ŽĂůŚŝ͕ DĂůĞ͕͛ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘ dĞů͗ н;ϵϲϬͿ ϯϯϰϭϲϰϯ͖ &Ădž͗ н;ϵϲϬͿ ϯϯϯϭϲϰϯ͖ tĞď͗ ǁǁǁ͘ǁĂƚĞƌͲƐŽůƵƟ ŽŶƐ͘ďŝnj͕ ŵĂŝů͗ ŝŶĨŽΛǁĂƚĞƌͲƐŽůƵƟ ŽŶƐ͘ďŝnj

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Wreck Hunters

Dream Destination Text & Photos by: Amooo

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Scuba Diving 7KLV LV GH¿QLWHO\ QRW \RXU DYHUDJH dream destination. It combines natural beauty and a collection of strategically located wrecks around her, making this destination a heaven for Wreck Divers. This is a very small and beautiful island on the north-west rim of south Male’ atoll formed on a large coral reef. A very popular tourist destination until September 2008. In my opinion, this is a perfect island. Currently undergoing a geographical overhaul, she is just 25 minutes boat ride away from the capital Male’ and the international airport. This makes the island a very popular and easily accessible destination. It is also home to one of the most beautiful house reefs in South Male’ atoll. The house reef is practically at arms length from the beach with bountiful diving spots. That’s probably too much to digest, but we are talking about Bolifushi. Bolifushi Island Resort is located in South Male’ atoll about 12 km South West of Male. This island may be undergoing a geographical metamorphosis, but the treasures beneath the sea are not changing nor going away, especially those that are around Bolifushi. They are there to stay for a long time. The island is fortunate to be located close to six (6) wrecks making it heaven for wreck hunters. Two of these wrecks are on her own house reef, the other two not more than 150 metres from the shore. The furthest is just 800 metres away, reachable in a small dinghy boat in less than 3 minutes. That is literally close enough to swim, but I wouldn’t advice that. Wreck diving is an interesting fun activLW\ EHFDXVH VKLSV RQ WKH VHDÀRRU SURYLGH a unique diving experience. Divers have always been fascinated to explore ZUHFNV 5HJDUGOHVV RI WKHLU VL]H RU KLVWRry, they provide a different kind of diving experience. In Maldives, wreck diving is very popular as well since it is different from diving at a reef in our clear waters. 8QOLNH WKH 3DFL¿F DOPRVW DOO ZUHFNV LQ 0DOGLYHV DUH HLWKHU D FDUJR VKLS D ¿VKLQJ ERDW D VDIDUL RU D ¿VKLQJ 'KRQL <RX ZLOO ¿QG ZUHFNV DOPRVW LQ HYHU\ DWROO DQG LW LV QRW GLI¿FXOW WR ¿QG D ZUHFN IRU \RXU next dive regardless of where you are in Maldives. From north to south, they are scattered all over the Maldives. So what does a shipwreck offer for a diver? Many things, in short. They can provide numerous new diving experiences that you will never experience in a reef dive. For wreck divers, Bolifushi is an ideal 110|

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paradise, simply because it is very easy to access them from the island. You can simply be based on the island and explore all these fascinating underwater structures without having to travel far. Around Bolifushi, there is a good mix of wrecks from small wrecks to large cargo ships. Some of these wrecks have been deliberately sunk within few hundred metres from the beach. Some of them can be accessed directly from the beach itself while others require a short boat ride. So, think about this island before you plan your next diving holiday in Maldives or when planning to explore most wrecks within a short time. The Schooner - Wreck one (1) 7KH ÂżUVW ZUHFN RQ WKH OLVW LV D VFKRRQHU The beauty of this wreck is that you can access it from the beach and its only 150 metres from the shore. This is approximately a 60 feet long yacht sunk in

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the early 1990’s. It is home to many large VQDSSHUV DQG OLRQ¿VK 7KH VXUURXQGLQJ VDQG\ ERWWRP KDV JDUGHQ HHOV DQG KXQGUHGV RI WKHP FDQ EH VHHQ SRSSLQJ RXW RI WKH VHD ÀRRU $W MXVW PHWHUV WKH ZUHFN OLHV ZLWK LWV ERZ WRZDUGV WKH VRXWK DQG VWDUERDUG RQ ERWWRP IDFLQJ ZHVW 'LYHUV FDQ VSHQG HQRXJK WLPH WR H[SORUH WKH HQWLUH ZUHFN DQG JR DURXQG LW ZLWKRXW JHWWLQJ GHFR $W OHDVW WZR FRPIRUWDEOH URXQGV FDQ EH PDGH HDVLO\ ,I \RX KDYH WKH FRXUDJH GLYHUV FDQ DOVR H[SORUH WKH VXEPHUJHG UHHI URXJKO\ PHWHUV VRXWK RI WKH ERZ EXW , ZRXOGQ¶W UHFRPPHQG WKLV XQOHVV \RX KDYH D JXLGH ,Q RUGHU WR ORFDWH WKLV VXEPHUJHG UHHI \RX QHHG DQ H[SHULHQFHG GLYHU +RZHYHU ,I WKH YLVLELOLW\ LV JRRG WKHQ WKLV UHHI FDQ EH YLVLEOH IURP WKH ERZ LWVHOI 7KHUH LV DW OHDVW RQH HQWU\ SRLQW IURP ZKHUH \RX FDQ WDNH D SHHN EXW LQVLGH LV GDUN DQG D VFKRRO RI JODVV ¿VK PDNHV WKLV WKHLU KRPH 2Q WKH ZUHFN WKHUH LVQ¶W PXFK FRUDOV EXW DOJDH JURZWK LV TXLWH H[WHQVLYH How to access

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Map of shipwrecks near Bolifushi Island

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ALIA Wreck (6) ?

Bolifushi Island

Wreck 2 (10m) Wreck 4 (23m)

Wreck 1 (22m)

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Aproximately 800 meters from Bolifushi.

Legend Island Ship wrecks

Wreck 5 (26 m)

Reef 0

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4, 5, 6 -The Speedboat wreck. Despite its small size, its an interesting piece of wreck when you see it underwater. Many types of fish makes this wreck their home. 7 - Colosseum is an interesting object to visit and see. Divers will not be disappointed after a dive to the Colosseum.

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8 -The Colosseum, the bow rests at just 8 metres. Facing page: Photos of the Colosseum. The wreck is surrounded by schools of friendly bat fish.

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12 - The wreck with its bow pointing at the surface. 13 - Hard corals growing on the hull. 14 - A school of glass fish inside the wheel house.

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Travel Diary

EXPLORING

South Male' Atoll D

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Travel Diary

DAY ONE

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TOP DIVE SITES IN SOUTH MALE’ ATOLL Emboodhoo Express Kandoomaa Thila Kuda Giri Miyaru Faru Guraidhoo Kandu Villivaru Giri Guraidhoo Corner Cocoa Corner Dhigu Thila Emboodhoo Canyon Laguna Caves Vaadhoo Caves Bolifushi House Reef Vaagali Caves

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1 - Leopard shark encounter at Guraidhoo corner 2 - Children enjoying a game of cards on the island Gulhi 3 - A shy nemo fish at Kuda giri 4 -The colourful Kuda giri reef 5 - Luxury safari boat “Equator” 6 - Locals at rest on the island Gulhi Photo Credits 1, by Dr.Norman Quinn 2,3,4,5,6 by Amooo

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Dive sites visited

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SOUTH MALE’ ATOLL OVERVIEW South Male’ atoll is geographically a separate atoll, but considered part of Male’ atoll. Being close to Male’ and Male’ International airport, this atoll provides great opportuities for divers and holiday makers alike. The southern tip of the atoll can be reached from Male’ via a speed boat in just about an hour. The atoll has many tourist resorts and numerous dive sites. It is also believed that there are numerous unexplored dive sites in this atoll. For holiday makers living in Male’, south Male’ atoll provides a great way to experience these dives sites, especially during the weekends. There are only three inhabited islands, namely Gulhi, Guraidhoo and Maafushi. Each of these islands are famous throughout the Maldives as each of them has something unique to offer. Maafushi houses the famous prison, Guraidhoo is Home for People with Special Needs� while Gulhi has a famous shipyard. !$

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'hZ / ,KK /^> E Geography The Southern most inhabited island in Male’ Atoll (and south Male’ atoll), situated about 14 miles south of Male’. The island has a natural deep lagoon adequate for a harbour. This is a naturally beautiful reef, which is deep turquoise, and is a popular unofficial marina for the safari yachts. Land Area 1800 feet long and 1070 feet wide this island is a total 1.9 million square feet in area. The fertility of the soil decreased dramatically after the tsunami rendered the island almost a desert. The land occupancy for this island is at 100% with only the coconut grove remaining.

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THE ISLAND A very popular destination for the tourists in nearby resorts. Tourists visit Guraidhoo almost daily for souvenir shopping and island hopping. The island consists of a proper Health facility. The famous “Home for People with Special Needs� is based in Guraidhoo. Tourism is the economic mainstay for the locals. Important other landmarks include the Island Office, Island Court, and School. Guraidhoo Must Do’s While in Guraidhoo do check out the numerous coffee shops and souvenir shops around. If you get a chance, try and check out the coconut groves, the only remaining woods and if you are even more adventurous, try walking to the small uninhabited island, “Lhosfushi�, located just few metres south-east of the island. This small uninhabited island can be reached on foot.

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6789%5:;:%!;<=>%?<<@%,9A:=A)"" tƌĞĐŬ Θ ƉŝŶŶĂĐůĞ ĚŝǀĞ +<BCD) ϭϮ Ͳ ϯϬŵ E:A:F:G:CH) ϭϬ Ͳ Ϯϱŵ -7;;<ICA)%'ĞŶƚůĞ ^ƵƌĨĂĐĞ ŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ͗% Ăůŵ !9C<;%$<JB<;9C7;<) Ϯϳ Ͳ ϯϬΣ (KB<;:<I=<%.<L<G)% ĞŐŝŶŶĞƌ ƚŽ ŝŶƚĞƌŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ +:AC9I=<) ϭ͘ϱŬŵ ĨƌŽŵ ŚŝŐƵĮŶŽůŚƵ ; ŶĂŶƚĂƌĂͿ͕ ϮϮŬŵ ƐŽƵƚŚ ŽĨ DĂůĞ͛ All photos by Amooo

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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Tel: +(960) 3306693; Fax: +(960) 3331643; HP +(960) 796 1643

Web: www.escalemaldives.com, Email: reservations@escalemaldives.com

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WIN ! WIN ! WIN !

Bring out the real adventure in you and take the challenge. Escale Maldives has placed a board on the seafloor, somewhere in Maldives with Escale Maldives printed on it. Lying at just 12 (twelve) meters beside some corals, it is waiting to be discovered. Find it and win a free holiday to the luxury rCoco Palm Bodu Hithi Resort in north Male’ atoll

WIN an all inclusive holiday package to Coco Palm Bodu Hithi resort for two person for two days. YES ITS FREE !

Clue: Type the coordinates in Google Earth search bar.

Find me please. I'm waiting to be discovered at 12 m underwater.

4° 6'48.55"N 73°26'5.21"E

Terms & Conditions: Free holiday begins from Male’ only and are non transferable and there is no cash alternative. Escale Maldives reserve the right to substitute the prize for one of greater or equal value. Return transfer provided from Male’. Accommodation and all meals included, extras not included. Employees, relatives and agents of Escale Maldives, Water Solutions, Atoll images & Island projects are ineligible to enter. Competition open for locals and foreigners starting from 1st march 2010. Once found, winner must bring the board to Escale Maldives office in Male’. Package subjected to availability of rooms in the resort. Winner must travel within three (3) months of winning. Escale Maldives cannot be held responsible for any injury caused during the search diving. Remember to get proper diving certification from an approved institution before undertaking any scuba diving and always follow safe diving protocols and never dive alone. Escale Maldives, Ma. Shah, Dhidhi Goalhi, Male’, Maldives. Tel: +(960) 3306693; Fax: +(960) 3331643; HP: +(960) 796 1643 Web: www.escalemaldives.com, Email: reservations@escalemaldives.com

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Explore some of the best

MOSQUES IN MALE’ Text by: Amooo

M

ale’ is a small city, so if you have plenty of time to explore yourself, it is perhaps very interesting to do it on a bike or just do a walking tour. Of course, taxis are also available. In this issue, we have focused on a guided tour to explore some of the unique mosques in a way that you should be able to do it by yourself without any assistance.

Photo by: Hamid

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City Breaks !#

Legend ATM

CafĂŠ

Places of interest

Specialty shop

Bakery

Government building

Private building

Supermarket / Minimart

Bank

Hotel / guest house

Restaurant

Bookshop

Mosque

School

Traffic light

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130|

DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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MOSQUE TOUR Begin your promenade from the 2I¿FLDO -HWW\ X. As you cross the Jumhooree Maidhan (Republic Square) WKURXJK LWV FHQWUH ZLWK WKH ÀDJSROH RQWR \RXU OHIW \RX would see a white sandy road in front of you (Ibrahimee Magu). Walk ahead until you come across the majestic ,VODPLF &HQWUH Yonto your right. Observe the marble VWHSV WKH JROGHQ GRPH DQG WKH PLQDUHW :DON RYHU to the round-about and continue to your left keeping the Sultan Park onto your right. You are now on 0HGKX]L\DDUDL\ 0DJX :DON DKHDG ZLWK WKH

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0DOGLYHV 1DWLRQDO 'HIHQFH )RUFH 01') Zonto \RXU OHIW SDVV E\ 5R\DO *DUGHQ 5HVWDXUDQW XQWLO \RX see the ROG PLQDUHW DQG WKH +XNXUX 0LVNLL\ )ULGD\ 0RVTXH [ 7KLV LV D PDUYHO JR LQVLGH WKH FRPSRXQG DQG REVHUYH WKH LQWULFDWH FRUDO FDUYLQJV RQ WKH ZDOOV D ÂżQH H[DPSOH RI DUW FRPELQHG ZLWK PDVRQU\ 7KH EXULDO place around \ has many tombstones of important people and their tombs. If you have sought prior SHUPLVVLRQ WKHQ GR QRW PLVV WKH LQVLGH RI WKH PRVTXH it is mostly made out of wood and coral with Arabic calligraphy on the panels. Permission is not given to non-muslims 2QFH \RX DUH VDWLVÂżHG WDNH WKH 6RXWKHUQ JDWH RI WKH Friday mosque with the minaret onto your right and

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ZDON DORQJ WKH URDG LQ IURQW QH[W WR 0XOHH DDJH ]. 7XUQ WR WKH ÂżUVW URDG RQ \RXU ULJKW DQG FRQWLQXH XQWLO you come across the oldest Mosque in the Maldives ^. ,I \RX YLVLW LQVLGH QRWLFH WKH FDOOLJUDSK\ DQG WKH ZRRG work. It is very quiet and peaceful inside. Once you come out of the mosque continue on the same direction and turn to your left with the Sheesha

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motorcycle centre _onto your left. Continue until \RX VHH RQ \RXU GLDJRQDO FRUQHU D YHU\ VPDOO PRVTXH

`ZKLFK ZDV WUDQVSRUWHG IURP DQ LVODQG SLHFH E\ SLHFH and re-arranged in Male’. Observe the well arranged EORFNV E\ VNLOIXO PDVRQV JLYLQJ WKH PRVTXH LWV ROG charm. This mosque is called Kalhuvakaru Miskiiy. This ends your mosque tour. 1 - Tour route map 2,5,6 - The compound of Hukuru Miskiiy with its numerous historic carved grave stones 3 - The crowd outside Islamic Centre during the Friday prayer 4 - The minaret at Hukuru Miskiiy compound Photo credits 1,5,6 by Hamid 3 by Riya 4 by Amooo

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Agenda

dŽ Ŭ LJŽƵƌ ŶĞdžƚ ŚŽůŝĚĂLJ ƚŽ ĂŶLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚƐ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĞŵĂŝů ƌĞƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶƐΛĞƐĐĂůĞŵĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘ĐŽŵ

Development updates Lily Beach!"#$!%&&'($)!*+&,!-$%.#!/$0123!4!56%! ŽĸĐŝĂůůLJ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ϮϴƚŚ ŽĨ DĂƌĐŚ ϮϬϬϵ͘ dŚƌĞĞ ĚĂLJƐ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽŵŝƐĞĚ ŽƉĞŶŝŶŐ ĚĂƚĞ͊ dŚĞ ŶĞǁůLJ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞĚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ďŽĂƐƚ ŵŽĚĞƌŶ ůƵdžƵƌLJ ĂŶĚ ŶĞǁ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ĨŽƌ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ Ă ($)!17$2')%3$2!06%8!($)!17$2')%3$2!7+&&%08!%!($)! ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ ĂŶĚ Ă ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ĨĂĐĞ ůŝŌ͘ >ŝůLJ ďĞĂĐŚ͛Ɛ ŚŽƵƐĞ ƌĞĞĨ ŝƐ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ ĂƐ Ă ƐŶŽƌŬĞůůĞƌƐ ŚĞĂǀĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŚƵŶĚƌĞĚƐ ŽĨ ĐŽƌĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ĮƐŚ ůŝĨĞ͘

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Photo courtesy of Constance Halaveli Resort

Constance Halaveli Resort 9%&%7$&+!2$0123! ŚĂƐ ƌĞŽƉĞŶĞĚ ĂŌĞƌ Ă ŵĂũŽƌ ƵƉŐƌĂĚŝŶŐ͘ dŚĞ ŶĞǁůLJ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŚĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶŐĞƐƚ ƌƵŶŶŝŶŐ ǁĂƚĞƌ ǀŝůůĂƐ ŶĞĂƌůLJ Ă ŬŝůŽŵĞƚĞƌ ůŽŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ŵĂŶĂŐĞĚ ďLJ ,ŽƚĞů ŽŶƐƚĂŶĐĞ͘ >ŽĐĂƚĞĚ ŝŶ EŽƌƚŚͲ ƌŝ ĂƚŽůů͕ ƚŚŝƐ ŝƐ Ă &ŝǀĞ ^ƚĂƌ ZĞƐŽƌƚ ǁŚŝĐŚ ďŽĂƐƚ ƐƉĂĐŝŽƵƐ ƌŽŽŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƉƌŝǀĂƚĞ ƉŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ǀĞƌLJ ďĞĂƵƟĨƵů ŚŽƵƐĞ ƌĞĞĨ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ Ɖƌŝů ϮϬϬϵ͘ dŚĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŝƐ Ϯϱ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ ĂǁĂLJ ĨƌŽŵ DĂůĞ͛ ďLJ ƐĞĂƉůĂŶĞ ĂŶĚ ϭŚϭϱ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ ďLJ ƐƉĞĞĚďŽĂƚ͘

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Photo courtesy of Lily Beach Resort

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Thulhaagiri 'ŽŽĚ ŶĞǁƐ ĨŽƌ dŚƵůŚĂĂŐŝƌŝ ůŽǀĞƌƐ͘ EĞǁ ǁĂƚĞƌ ǀŝůůĂƐ ĂŶĚ Ă ƐƉĂ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ĂĚĚĞĚ ƚŽ ĞŶŚĂŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ ŐƵĞƐƚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞ' ĐĞŶƚůLJ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞĚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ :ƵůLJ ϮϬϬϵ ǁŝƚŚ ĂŶ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů ƐĞƚ ŽĨ tĂƚĞƌ sŝůůĂƐ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ŝŶ Ă ƐŝŵŝůĂƌ ĂƌĐ ƐŚĂƉĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŽŶĞƐ͘ &ŝŶĂůůLJ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ĐĂŶ ŚŽƐƚ ŵŽƌĞ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ͘

02

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives >ŽĐĂƚĞĚ ŝŶ ^ŽƵƚŚ ƌŝ ƚŽůů ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŽĨ DĂĐĐŚĂĨƵƐŚŝ͕ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ďĞŐĂŶ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶĂů ŝŶ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ĚĞůŝǀĞƌ Ă ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ƉƌĞŵŝƵŵ ϰ ƐƚĂƌ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͘ &ĞĂƚƵƌŝŶŐ ϭϭϮ ƐƵŝƚĞƐ Θ ǀŝůůĂƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ŚŽƚĞů ŽīĞƌƐ ĚŝǀŝŶŐ ĞŶƚŚƵƐŝĂƐƚƐ ŽƵƚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ĚŝǀŝŶŐ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ĂŶ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ŚŽƵƐĞ ƌĞĞĨ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚ ƐƵŶŬĞŶ ƐŚŝƉ ǁƌĞĐŬ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ĞĂƐLJ ƌĞĂĐŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ĚŝǀĞ ƐƉŽƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘

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Photo courtesy of Centara Hotels & Resorts Photo by Amooo

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Bolifushi redevelopment (Jumeirah Maldives Resort) ŽůŝĨƵƐŚŝ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŝŶ ^ŽƵƚŚ DĂůĞ͛ ĂƚŽůů ŝƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ƵŶĚĞƌ ƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͘ dŚĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƚƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŽ Ă ůƵdžƵƌLJ ĮǀĞ ƐƚĂƌ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ĨƌŽŵ ŝƚƐ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐƚĂƚƵƐ ŽĨ Ă ŵŝĚĚůĞ ĐůĂƐƐ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ͘ DĂũŽƌ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ŵŽƌĞ ŽǀĞƌͲǁĂƚĞƌ ǀŝůůĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů ŶĞǁ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘ KŶĐĞ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ͕ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ŽīĞƌ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ƐƵƉĞƌ' ůĂƟǀĞ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘

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Irufushi KŶ ϮŶĚ :ƵůLJ ϮϬϬϵ͕ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ DŽŚĂŵĞĚ EĂƐŚĞĞĚ ŝŶĂƵŐƵƌĂƚĞĚ ,ŝůƚŽŶ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ /ƌƵĨƵƐŚŝ ZĞƐŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ^ƉĂ ŝŶ ^ŽƵƚŚ DŝůĂĚŚƵŶŵĂĚƵůƵ ĂƚŽůů͘ /ƌƵĨƵƐŚŝ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŝƐ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ďĞĂƵƟĨƵů ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŵŽŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ƚŽ ďĞ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ EŽŽŶƵ ĂƚŽůů͘

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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253653727)))2832826);*

Alila Villas Hadahaa ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ :ƵůLJ ϮϬϬϵ͘ dŚŝƐ ƵůƚƌĂͲƉƌĞŵŝƵŵ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ƚŽ ŽƉĞŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ƵŶƚŽƵĐŚĞĚ 'ĂĂĨƵ ůŝĨƵ ;EŽƌƚŚ ,ƵǀĂĚ' ŚŽŽͿ ĂƚŽůů͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ďĂůĂŶĐĞĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ǁŝƚŚ ŝŶ' ŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ĐŽŶƚĞŵƉŽƌĂƌLJ ĚĞƐŝŐŶ͕ ƉƌŽĚƵĐŝŶŐ Ă ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ƚŚĂƚ ŬĞĞƉƐ ƚŽ 'ƌĞĞŶ 'ůŽďĞ͛Ɛ ƌŝŐŽƌŽƵƐ ͚ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͕ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĞƐŝŐŶ ^ƚĂŶĚĂƌĚ͛ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬƐ͘ ĞŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ƚŽ ŽƉĞŶ ŝŶ 'ĂĂĨƵ ůŝĨƵ ĂƚŽůů͕ ǀŝƐŝƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ ,ĂĚĂŚĂĂ ǁŝůů ŐĞƚ ƚŽ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ ƵŶƚŽƵĐŚĞĚ ƵŶĚĞƌǁĂƚĞƌ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŽůů͘

New protected area declared!:(!3#$!1..%0+1(! ŽĨ tŽƌůĚ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ĂLJ ϱƚŚ :ƵŶĞ ϮϬϬϵ DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌ ĨŽƌ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ Dƌ͘ DŽŚĂŵĞĚ ƐůĂŵ ĚĞĐůĂƌĞĚ ƚŚƌĞĞ ŶĞǁ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚĞĚ ĂƌĞĂƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘ ĂĂ ƚŽůů ŐĂĨĂƌƵ ƌĞĂ͕ ĂĂ ƚŽůů ,ĂŶŝĨĂƌƵ ƌĞĂ ĂŶĚ ůŝĨ ŚĂĂů ƚŽůů DĂĂŵŝŐŝůŝ ƌĞĂ ǁĞƌĞ ĚĞĐůĂƌĞĚ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚĞĚ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐĞƌĞŵŽŶLJ ŚĞůĚ ƚŽ ĂŶŶŽƵŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĐůĂƌĂƟŽŶ͘ ^ƉĞĂŬŝŶŐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĐĞƌĞŵŽŶLJ͕ ƚŚĞ DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌ ŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂ' ƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ĂĐƟŽŶ͘

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Constance Moofushi Resort DŽŽĨƵƐŚŝ /ƐůĂŶĚ ŝŶ ůŝĨ ƚŽůů ŝƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ƵŶĚĞƌ ƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŝƐ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ďLJ ŽŶƐƚĂŶĐĞ ,ŽƚĞůƐ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ĞŶĚ ŽĨ ϮϬϭϬ͘ dŚĞ ŶĞǁůLJ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞĚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ŚĂǀĞ Ă ďƌĂŶĚ ŶĞǁ ƐƉĂ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ ďĞĚ ĐĂƉĂĐŝƚLJ͕ ŽĨ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŵĂũŽƌŝƚLJ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŽǀĞƌͲ ǁĂƚĞƌ͘

Photo courtesy of Alila Hotels

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Athurugaa redevelopment ƚŚƵƌƵŐĂĂ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŝŶ ůŝĨ ĂƚŽůů ŝƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ƵŶĚĞƌ ƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ƐŽŵĞƟŵĞƐ ŝŶ ĞĂƌůLJ ϮϬϭϬ͘ dŚĞ ŶĞǁůLJ ƌĞĨƵƌďŝƐŚĞĚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ŚĂǀĞ ŽǀĞƌͲǁĂƚĞƌ ǀŝůůĂƐ ĂŵŽŶŐ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ͘ ƚŚƵƌƵŐĂĂ ŝƐ ƉŽƉƵůĂƌ ĨŽƌ ŝƚƐ ďĞĂƵƟĨƵů ŚŽƵƐĞ ƌĞĞĨ͘

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Hot events Underwater cabinet meeting DĞŵďĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͛ ĂďŝŶĞƚ ĚŽŶŶĞĚ ƐĐƵďĂ ŐĞĂƌ ĂŶĚ ƵƐĞĚ ŚĂŶĚ ƐŝŐŶĂůƐ ŽŶ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϭϳ͕ ϮϬϬϵ Ăƚ ĂŶ ƵŶĚĞƌǁĂƚĞƌ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ƐƚĂŐĞĚ ƚŽ ŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƚ ƚŚĞ ƚŚƌĞĂƚ ŽĨ ŐůŽďĂů ǁĂƌŵŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ůŽǁĞƐƚͲůLJŝŶŐ ŶĂƟŽŶ ŽŶ ĞĂƌƚŚ͘ WƌĞƐŝ' ĚĞŶƚ DŽŚĂŵŵĞĚ EĂƐŚĞĞĚ ĂŶĚ ϭϯ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŐŽǀĞƌŶ' ŵĞŶƚ ŽĸĐŝĂůƐ ƐƵďŵĞƌŐĞĚ ĂŶĚ ƚŽŽŬ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƐĞĂƚƐ Ăƚ Ă ƚĂďůĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĂ ŇŽŽƌ Ͷ ϮϬ ĨĞĞƚ ďĞůŽǁ ƚŚĞ ƐƵƌĨĂĐĞ ŽĨ Ă ůĂŐŽŽŶ Žī 'ŝƌŝĨƵƐŚŝ͕ ĂŶ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ƵƐƵĂůůLJ ƵƐĞĚ ĨŽƌ ŵŝůŝƚĂƌLJ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ͘ tŝƚŚ Ă ďĂĐŬĚƌŽƉ ŽĨ ĐŽƌĂůƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ǁĂƐ Ă ďŝĚ ƚŽ ĚƌĂǁ ĂƩĞŶƟŽŶ ƚŽ ĨĞĂƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƌŝƐŝŶŐ ƐĞĂ ůĞǀĞůƐ ĐĂƵƐĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ŵĞůƟŶŐ ŽĨ ƉŽůĂƌ ŝĐĞ ĐĂƉƐ ĐŽƵůĚ ƐǁĂŵƉ ƚŚŝƐ /ŶĚŝĂŶ KĐĞĂŶ ĂƌĐŚŝƉĞůĂŐŽ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ Ă ĐĞŶƚƵƌLJ͘ !

Photo courtesy of Shangri-La

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa!+(!3#$! DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ǁŝůů ŽīĞƌ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ƚŚĞ ĨƵŶ ŽƉƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƐƚĂLJŝŶŐ ŝŶ Ă ůƵdžƵƌLJ ƚƌĞĞ ŚŽƵƐĞ ǀŝůůĂ ŝŶ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ ƚŽ ďĞĂĐŚ ĂŶĚ ŽǀĞƌͲǁĂƚĞƌ ǀŝůůĂƐ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ ŵŝĚ ϮϬϬϵ͘ WĞƌĐŚĞĚ ŽŶ ƐƟůƚƐ ƚŚƌĞĞ ŵĞƚƌĞƐ ĂďŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ŐƌŽƵŶĚ ĂŶĚ ĨĞĂƚƵƌŝŶŐ ĂŶ ĞůĞǀĂƚĞĚ ŝŶĮŶŝƚLJ ƉŽŽů͕ ƚŚĞ ϭϲ ƚƌĞĞ ŚŽƵƐĞ ǀŝůůĂƐ ǁŝůů ŽīĞƌ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ǀŝĞǁƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐƵƌĮŶŐ ǁĂǀĞƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚŝĂŶ KĐĞĂŶ͘

Robinson Club Maldives ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŽĨ &ƵŶĂŵƵĚƵĂ ŝŶ 'ĂĂĨƵ ůŝĨ ƚŽůů ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŽŶ ϭϵƚŚ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ͘ ĞŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ϮŶĚ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ƚŽ ŽƉĞŶ ŝŶ ,ƵǀĂĚŚŽŽ ĂƚŽůů͕ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ǀŝƐŝƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ŚĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ƚŽ ĚŝƐĐŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ƵŶƚŽƵĐŚĞĚ ĐŽƌĂů ƌĞĞĨƐ ũƵƐƚ ϮϬ ƚŽ ϮϬϬ ŵĞƚƌĞƐ ĂǁĂLJ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ͛Ɛ ǁŚŝƚĞ ƐĂŶĚLJ ďĞĂĐŚĞƐ ĂƌĞ ŝĚĞĂů ĨŽƌ ƌĞůĂdžŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ŽīĞƌƐ ǀĂƌŝŽƵƐ ǁĂƚĞƌ ƐƉŽƌƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĞŶƚĞƌƚĂŝŶŵĞŶƚ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͘

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Environment update 0DOGLYHV %DQ 6KDUN ÀVKLQJ dŚĞ DŝŶŝƐƚƌLJ ŽĨ &ŝƐŚĞƌŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ ŽĸĐŝĂůůLJ ĂŶŶŽƵŶĐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐĨƵů ƉĂƐƐĂŐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞŐƵůĂƟŽŶ ƌĞŐĂƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŶŝŶŐ ŽĨ ƐŚĂƌŬ ĮƐŚĞƌŝĞƐ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞŐƵůĂƟŽŶ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐĂŵĞ ŝŶƚŽ ĞīĞĐƚ ĨƌŽŵ DĂƌĐŚ ϭ͕ ϮϬϬϵ͕ ŝŵƉŽƐĞƐ Ă ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ďĂŶ ŽŶ ĮƐŚŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ĂŶLJ ƐƉĞĐŝĞƐ ŽĨ ƐŚĂƌŬƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚǁĞůǀĞ ŵŝůĞƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŽůů ƌŝŵ ŽĨ Ăůů ĂƚŽůůƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘ &ŽƌŵĞƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƌĂƚŽƌŝƵŵ ǁĂƐ ůŝŵŝƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŽŶůLJ ƐĞǀĞŶ ƚŽƵƌŝƐŵ ĂƚŽůůƐ ďƵƚ ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĐĞŶƚ ĞdžƉĂŶƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ͕ ƚŚŝƐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĞŶƟƌĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘ ƌ͘ /ďƌĂŚŝŵ ŝĚŝ͕ DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌ ŽĨ &ŝƐŚĞƌŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ ĂůƐŽ ĚĞĐůĂƌĞĚ ƉůĂŶƐ ƚŽ ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚ Ă ďĂŶ ŽŶ Ăůů ĞdžƉŽƌƚ ŽĨ ƐŚĂƌŬ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ ĐŽŵŵĞŶĐŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ϭ LJĞĂƌ ĨƌŽŵ ŶŽǁ͘ ;ƐŽƵƌĐĞ͗ DĂƌŝŶĞ ZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ĞŶƚƌĞ͕ ! ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ŵƌĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ŵǀͿ

Photo courtesy of President’s Office. www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv

Photo courtesy of President’s Office. www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv

Photo courtesy ROBINSON Club Maldives

Photo courtesy of Ecocare

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Agenda

Hot events continued..

4*++)4$2'--154.,3$1,7$-'>$-9.,3$1&+14$.,$71,3+&$'%$ ďĞŝŶŐ ƐǁĂŵƉĞĚ͘ tĞ ŵƵƐƚ ƵŶŝƚĞ ŝŶ Ă ŐůŽďĂů ĞīŽƌƚ )'$*1-)$%8&)*+&$)+(5+&1)8&+$&.4+4?$@9$4-14*.,3$21&6 @',$7.'A.7+$+(.44.',4$)'$41%+$-+:+-$'%$BCD$51&)4$ 5+&$(.--.',< !;,7'&4+7$@9$)*+$01@.,+)$'%$E+58@-.2$'%$F1-7.:+4$ ',$GH)*$'%$#2)'@+&$IDDJK

By Mohamed Thoriq Hamid, Divers Association of Maldives

350 dive dŚĞ ǀƵůŶĞƌĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ƚŽ ĐůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŝƐ ŚŽƚ ŶĞǁƐ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ ƵŶƟů Ă ĨĞǁ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ ďĂĐŬ ƚŚĞ ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ǁŚĂƚ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ĐĂŶ ĚŽ ƚŽ ĐŽŵďĂƚ ĐůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ǁĂƐ Ă ŵĂũŽƌ ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶ͘ :ƵƐƚ ůŝŬĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ǀƵůŶĞƌĂďůĞ ŶĂƟŽŶƐ͕ ĞŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ĐĂƌďŽŶ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŵŽƐƉŚĞƌĞ ĨƌŽŵ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŝŶ ĐƵůƉƌŝƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŶŐ ƚŽ ĐůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͕ ŝƐ ĂůŵŽƐƚ ŶŽŶͲĞdžŝƐƚĞŶƚ͘ ,Žǁ ĐĂŶ Ă ƐŵĂůů͕ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŶĂƟŽŶ͕ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƉŽƉƵůĂƟŽŶ ũƵƐƚ ŽǀĞƌ ϯϬϬ͕ϬϬϬ͕ ŵĂŬĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ǀŽŝĐĞƐ ďĞ ŚĞĂƌĚ͍ dŚĂƚ ŝƐ ǁŚĂƚ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ĚŝĚ ŽŶ ϭϳƚŚ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ Ă ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ƟŵĞ ŽŶ ϮϰƚŚ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ͘ >Ğƚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ǀŽŝĐĞƐ ďĞ ŚĞĂƌĚ ʹ ŝŶ Ă ďŝŐ ǁĂLJ͘ ŝǀĞƌƐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ƚĞĂŵĞĚ ƵƉ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ϯϱϬ ŵŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ĐƌĞĂƚĞ Ă ŚŝŐŚůLJ ƉƵďůŝĐŝnjĞĚ ŵŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘ dŚĞ ĨŽĐƵƐ ǁĂƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŶƵŵďĞƌ ϯϱϬ͘ ϯϱϬ ƉĂƌƚƐ ƉĞƌ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ůĞǀĞů ƚŚĂƚ ƐĐŝĞŶƟƐƚƐ ŚĂǀĞ ŝĚĞŶƟĮĞĚ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ƐĂĨĞ ƵƉƉĞƌ ůŝŵŝƚ ŽĨ ĐĂƌďŽŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŵŽƐƉŚĞƌĞ͘ /Ĩ ƚŚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ĐĂƌďŽŶ ďĞŝŶŐ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŵŽƐƉŚĞƌĞ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐƵƌ' ƌĞŶƚ ƚƌĞŶĚ͕ ƚŚĞ ĞīĞĐƚƐ ŽĨ ŝƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ĚƌĂƐƟĐ͘ >ŝĨĞ ŽŶ ĞĂƌƚŚ ĂƐ ǁĞ ŬŶŽǁ ǁŽƵůĚ ĐĞĂƐĞ ƚŽ ĞdžŝƐƚ͘ KƌŐĂŶŝnjĞĚ ďLJ ŝǀĞƌƐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ĐĂďŝŶĞƚ ŽĨ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ sŝĐĞ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ͕ ƚŽŽŬ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ǁĂƚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ŚŽůĚ ĂŶ ƵŶĚĞƌǁĂƚĞƌ ĐĂďŝŶĞƚ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ǁŚŝůĞ ƐĐƵďĂ ĚŝǀŝŶŐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ϭϳƚŚ ŽĨ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ͘ dŚĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ƚŽŽŬ ƉůĂĐĞ Ăƚ Ă ĚĞƉƚŚ ŽĨ ϯ ŵĞƚƌĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŽŽŶ͕ Žī ƚŚĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŽĨ 'ŝƌŝĨƵƐŚŝ͘ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ EĂƐŚĞĞĚ ĂŶĚ ϭϭ ĐĂďŝŶĞƚ ŵŝŶŝƐƚĞƌƐ ƵƐĞĚ ŚĂŶĚ ƐŝŐŶĂůƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚĞ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ƐŝŐŶŝŶŐ Ă ĚĞĐůĂƌĂƟŽŶ ĐĂůůŝŶŐ ŽŶ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŶĂƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ďƌŝŶŐ ĚŽǁŶ ƚŚĞ ůĞǀĞů ŽĨ ĐĂƌďŽŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŵŽƐƉŚĞƌĞ ƚŽ ϯϱϬ ƉƉŵ͘ dŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞŵĞŶƚ ƌĞĂĚ͖!! !"#"$%&'($)*+$%&',)-.,+/$0-.(1)+$2*1,3+$.4$*156 5+,.,3$1,7$.)$)*&+1)+,4$)*+$&.3*)4$1,7$4+28&.)9$'%$ +:+&9',+$',$;1&)*<$=.)*$-+44$)*1,$',+$7+3&++$'%$ ŐůŽďĂů ǁĂƌŵŝŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ ŐůĂĐŝĞƌƐ ĂƌĞ ŵĞůƟŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ ŝĐĞ

KŶ ϮϳƚŚ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ͕ Ă ŐƌŽƵƉ ŽĨ ϭϱϬ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ƚŽŽŬ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐĞ ƚŽ ĐŽǀĞƌ ϯϱ Ŭŵ ŽĨ ůĂŐŽŽŶ ďLJ ĨŽŽƚ͘ dŚŝƐ ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ ϯͲĚĂLJ ͞tĂůŬ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ϮϬϬϵ͟ ĞǀĞŶƚ ŚĞůĚ ŝŶ 'ĂĂĨƵ ŚĂĂůƵ ĂƚŽůů ŝŶ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ǁĂƐ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĞĚ ďLJ dĞŬƚŽŶ ĞƐŝŐŶ ĂŶĚ 'ƌĞĞŶ dĞĐŚ ĂŶĚ ĞŶĚĞĚ ŽŶ ϮϵƚŚ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚŝƐ ĞǀĞŶƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ t >< ĨƌŽŵ 'ĂĂĨƵ ŚĂĂůƵ DĂĚĂǀĞůŝ ŝƐůĂŶĚ ƚŽ 'ĂĂĨƵ ŚĂĂůƵ &ŝLJŽƌĞĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚ͘ dŚĞ ůĂŐŽŽŶ ŝƐ ϯϱŬŵ ůŽŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŚĂƐ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ϴϬ ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ͖ ĂŵŽŶŐ ƚŚĞŵ ĮǀĞ ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ ĂƌĞ ŝŶŚĂďŝƚĞĚ͘ ƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƚƌŝƉ Ăůů ĮǀĞ ŝŶŚĂďŝƚĞĚ ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ ;DĂĚĂǀĞůŝ͕ ,ŽĚĞĚŚŽŽ͕ EĂĚĞůůĂ͕ ZĂƚŚĂĨĂŶĚŚŽŽ ĂŶĚ &ŝLJŽƌĞĞͿ ǁĂƐ ǀŝƐŝƚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ŽďƐĞƌǀĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŚĂďŝƚĂƚ͕ ŚŝƐƚŽƌLJ ĂŶĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶ' ŵĞŶƚĂů ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ĞǀĞŶƚ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ŽĨ ŝƚƐ ŬŝŶĚ ĞǀĞƌ ƚŽ ďĞ ŚĞůĚ ŝŶ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͘

KŶ ϮϰƚŚ ŽĨ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϬϬϵ Ăƚ ŵŝĚŶŝŐŚƚ͕ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ŽĨ ŝǀĞƌƐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ; DͿ ŚĞĂĚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŽŽŶ ŝŶ ĨƌŽŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ͛Ɛ KĸĐĞ͕ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĐĂƉŝƚĂů ŝƐůĂŶĚ ŽĨ DĂůĠ͕ ƚŽ ƐƚĂƌƚ Žī Ă Ϯϰ ŚŽƵƌ ĚŝǀĞ ƌĂůůLJ ƚŽ ĐŽŵŵĞŵŽƌĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ϯϱϬ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ĚĂLJ ŽĨ ĂĐƟŽŶ͘ ƚŽƚĂů ŽĨ ϯϱϬ ĚŝǀĞƌƐ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĚĞƉŝĐƚĞĚ ŚŽǁ ůŝĨĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŝŶ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ŝĨ ƐŚĞ ƐƵďŵĞƌŐĞĚ͕ ŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƌŝƐŝŶŐ ƐĞĂ ůĞǀĞůƐ͘ Ŷ ƵŶĚĞƌǁĂƚĞƌ ƉƌŽƚĞƐƚ Ͷ ƚŽ ŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƚ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͛ ǀƵůŶĞƌĂďŝůŝƚLJ ƚŽ ĐůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͕ Ă ŽĚƵ ĞƌƵ ƐŚŽǁ ;ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂů DĂůĚŝǀŝĂŶ ĚƌƵŵƐͿ͕ ƵŶĚĞƌǁĂƚĞƌ ŝŶƚĞƌǀŝĞǁƐ͕ ĚŽŝŶŐ ůĂŶĚ ďĂƐĞĚ ƐƉŽƌƚƐ ƵŶĚĞƌǁĂƚĞƌ ǁĞƌĞ ĂŵŽŶŐ ƐŽŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŽŽŬ ƉůĂĐĞ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĚŝǀĞ ŵĂƌĂƚŚŽŶ͘ dŚĞ ŝĚĞĂ ďĞŚŝŶĚ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ǁĂƐ ƚŽ ƵƌŐĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ ƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ůĞĂĚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ĐƌĂŌ Ă ŐůŽďĂů ƚƌĞĂƚLJ͕ ŝŶ ŽƉĞŶŚĂŐĞŶ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁŽƵůĚ ĚŽ ũƵƐƟĐĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐĞǀĞƌ' ŝƚLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐůŝŵĂƚĞ ĐƌŝƐŝƐ͘ dŚĞ ŵĞƐƐĂŐĞ ŝƐ ƐŝŵƉůĞ͗ ƐƵƌǀŝǀĂů ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ŶĞŐŽƟĂďůĞ͘

350 display at night, Divers lined up underwater in front of the President’s office to display the 350 using underwater lights. Photo by Azzuu

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Annular eclipse Ŷ ĂŶŶƵůĂƌ ƐŽůĂƌ ĞĐůŝƉƐĞ ŽĐ' ĐƵƌƌĞĚ ŽŶ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭϱ͕ ϮϬϭϬ͘ /ƚ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶŐĞƐƚ ĂŶŶƵůĂƌ ƐŽůĂƌ ĞĐůŝƉƐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵŝůůĞŶŶŝƵŵ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶŐĞƐƚ ƵŶƟů ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ Ϯϯ͕ ϯϬϰϯ͕ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ĚƵƌĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ϭϭ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ ĂŶĚ ϳ͘ϴ ƐĞĐŽŶĚƐ͘ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƐƉŽƚ ĨŽƌ ǀŝĞǁŝŶŐ͘ dŚŝƐ ǁĂƐ ĂůƐŽ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶŐĞƐƚ ĚƵƌĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ĐŝƚLJ ŚĂǀŝŶŐ ĂŶ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ĂŝƌƉŽƌƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĞĐůŝƉƐĞ ƚƌĂĐŬ͘ dŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ ŽĨ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŽƵƌŝƐƚƐ ǁĂƚĐŚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĞĐůŝƉƐĞ͕ ƐŽŵĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƐĂŶĚ ďĂŶŬƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵŝĚĚůĞ ŽĨ ŶŽǁŚĞƌĞ͘ /Ŷ DĂůĞ͕͛ ŚƵŶĚƌĞĚƐ ŽĨ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ƚŽŽŬ ŽƵƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐƚƌĞĞƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐĂŵĞƌĂƐ ŚŽƉŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ Ă ƐŶĂƉƐŚŽƚ ŽĨ ƚŚŝƐ ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ ĞǀĞŶƚ͘

Photo by Meemu Zaviyani & Maeed

Photo: Ecocare

ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŽůů͘ KĸĐŝĂůƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƚǁŽ ŵĂŝŶ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĞƌƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƚĞĚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ǁĂƐ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ĞdžĂĐƚůLJ ĂƐ ƚŚĞLJ ŚĂĚ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ǁĂƐ ƐƉŽŶƐŽƌĞĚ ďLJ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ƉƌŽŵŝŶĞŶƚ ůŽĐĂů ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ͘ ^ŽŵĞ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ŐƌŽƵƉƐ ƌĂŝƐĞĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ƌĞŐĂƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ ĞǀĞŶƚ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĞƌƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ă ůŽƚ ŽĨ ĞdžƉŽƐƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞƌĞĨŽƌĞ ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞĚ ŝƚƐ ŽďũĞĐƟǀĞƐ͘ dŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ĂůƐŽ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ƵƉ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŽůů ƚŽ ŝŶŚĂďŝƚĂŶƚƐ ŽĨ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƌĞŐŝŽŶƐ͕ ĨŽƌ ĞdžĂŵƉůĞ ŐĂŝŶŝŶŐ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĨĂĐƚ ƚŚĂƚ ϴϬ ŝƐůĂŶĚƐ ĂƌĞ ůŽĐĂƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ Ă ĚŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ϯϱ ŬŝůŽŵĞƚƌĞƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ůĂŐŽŽŶ͘ ŝĚ LJŽƵ ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚŝƐ͍

ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĞƌƐ͕ ƚŚĞ Ăŝŵ ŽĨ ͞tĂůŬ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ ϮϬϬϵ͟ ǁĂƐ ƚŽ ƉƌŽŵŽƚĞ ŚŝŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ DĂůĚŝǀĞƐ͕ ĂƩƌĂĐƚ ƚŚĞ ĂƩĞŶƟŽŶ ŽĨ ůŽĐĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŽƵƌŝƐƚƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŽůů ĂŶĚ ƚŽ ĚŽĐƵŵĞŶƚ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ Photo: Walkmaldives.com.mv

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Maps of Maldives

The Complete Guide to the Atolls and Islands of Maldives

Dangerous ngerous Marine Animals

Complete omplete Guide to Male

Biology, Injuries & Treatment

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A Photographic Journey over the Atolls & Islands of Maldives

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Agenda

Book reviews

Title: 7KH &RPSOHWH *XLGH WR 0DOHœ Year: 2007 Size: $ SDSHU EDFN No of pages: 120 Whats it about?: A new guide book exFOXVLYHO\ RQ 0$/(œ ,QFOXGHV LQIRUPDtion on Hulhumale’ and Villingili as well. 7KLV LV WKH ¿UVW DQG PRVW FRPSUHKHQVLYH guide book on Male’. This 142 page book will be the ideal companion while in Male’. The book will be ideal fo Short DQG ORQJ WHUP &RQVXOWDQWV 7RXULVWV ([SDWULDWHV /RFDOV 7RXU RSHUDWRUV 7RXULVW JXLGHV DQG PDQ\ RWKHUV 7KH book contains details of Places of InterHVW 7KLQJV WR GR *HWWLQJ DURXQG (DWLQJ DQG 'LQLQJ 6KRSSLQJ $FFRPPRGDWLRQ 0RQH\ PDWWHUV +HDOWK DQG :HOO EHLQJ 6WD\LQJ FRQQHFWHG %HVW RI WKH %HVW 8VHIXO ,QIRUPDWLRQ 'HWDLO 0DSV 8VHIXO WLSV DQG )DFWV DQG D YHU\ HDV\ WR XVH 6WUHHW ,QGH[ PXFK PRUH 7R RUGHU FRSLHV please contact info@atoll-images.com.

Title: ³0DSV RI 0DOGLYHV 7KH FRPSOHWH JXLGH WR WKH atolls and islands of Maldives�. Year: 2008 Size: $ SDSHU EDFN No of pages: 120 Whats it about?: 7KLV ERRN LV WKH ¿UVW RI LWV NLQG FRPpletely researched and developed by Maldivians. The ERRN FRQWDLQV GHWDLOV PDSV RI DOO WKH DWROOV LQ (QJOLVK and Dhivehi. The fact that the book has been develRSHG ERWK LQ (QJOLVK DQG 'KLYHKL PDNHV WKLV D XQLTXH DQG H[WUHPHO\ XVHIXO ERRN WR HYHU\RQH IURP *RYHUQPHQW RI¿FHV SULYDWH RI¿FHV DQG EXVLQHVVHV ¿VKHUPDQ UHVRUW RZQHUV UHVRUW GHYHORSHUV VFKRRO FKLOGUHQ WUDYHOOHUV KROLGD\ PDNHUV DQG PDQ\ PRUH $OO WKH PDSV KDYH EHHQ XSGDWHG WR UHÀHFW WKH ODWHVW FKDQJHV WR WKH JHRJUDSK\ RI 0DOGLYHV ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR GHWDLO PDSV WKH book also provides statistics and detail information on DOO WKH LQKDELWHG LVODQGV RI 0DOGLYHV QH[W WR HDFK DWROO PDS (DFK PDS KDV YHUWLFDO DQG KRUL]RQWDO JULG DQG the islands are indexed in alphabetical order with grid reference which makes searching any island very easy. 7KH ERRN FRQWDLQV DOO WKH XSFRPLQJ UHVRUWV DLUSRUWV and newly leased agricultural islands in addition to WRQV RI RWKHU XVHIXO LQIRUPDWLRQ VXFK DV LVODQG SKRWRV ATM locations and Bank of Maldives branch locaWLRQV WKURXJKRXW WKH 0DOGLYHV ,Q VKRUW WKLV ZLOO EH DQ indispensable reference book for anyone. To purchase copies contact info@atoll-images.com or visit any of the Novelty Bookshop branches in Male’.

Title: Âł'DQJHURXV 0DULQH $QLPDOV %LRORJ\ ,QMXULHV 7UHDWPHQW´ Published Year: 2009 Whats it about?: Size: $ SDSHU EDFN No of pages: 84 7KLV FRQFLVH ERRN '$1*(5286 0$5,1( $1,0$/6 KDV WZR DLPV )LUVW LW provides information for medical doctors about the wide range of injuries which can EH LQĂ€LFWHG E\ PDULQH RUJDQLVPV 'HVFULSWLRQ RI V\PSWRPV DQG UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV IRU WUHDWPHQW DUH JLYHQ 6HFRQGO\ VZLPPHUV VQRUNHOHUV DQG GLYHUV ZLOO ÂżQG LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW WKH ELRORJ\ RI GDQJHURXV YHQRPRXV DQG SRLVRQRXV PDULQH DQLPDOV 7KLV NQRZOedge helps to avoid contact with potentially harmful organisms. Numerous underwater pictures show animals that can be harmful. Their preferred habitat and the type of SRWHQWLDO ULVNV DUH GHVFULEHG LQ GHWDLO ,Q DGGLWLRQ GLIIHUHQW NLQGV RI VHDIRRG SRLVRQLQJ are covered as well. The booklet is small enough to be a helpful travelling companion IRU KROLGD\ PDNHUV DQG LW LV YROXPLQRXV HQRXJK WR SURYLGH TXLFN PHGLFDO LQIRUPDWLRQ WKH FDVH RI DQ HPHUJHQF\ 7KH ERRN LV SXEOLVKHG PDUNHWHG DQG GLVWULEXWHG E\ Atoll Images. To purchase copies FRQWDFW info@atoll-images.com or visit our showroom.

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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Title: $ERYH 0DOGLYHV $ SKRWRJUDSKLF MRXUQH\ RYHU WKH atolls and islands of Maldives Publisher: $WROO ,PDJHV DWROO LPDJHV FRP Year: 2009 Size: PP E\ PP KDUG FRYHU No of pages: 96 Whats it about?: A new concept featuring satellite photos of the islands of Maldives. This book will be useful for many SHRSOH DQG JURXSV QDPHO\ JRYHUQPHQW DJHQFLHV SODQQHUV SULYDWH VHFWRU UHVRUW RZQHUV DQG GHYHORSHUV SRWHQWLDO UHVRUW RZQHUV WRXU RSHUDWRUV WRXULVWV GLYHUV VWXGHQWV PDULQH ELRORJLVWV JHRJUDSKHUV DUFKLWHFWV HQYLURQPHQWDOLVWV DQG RWKers alike. The book has been designed to provide an insight LQ WR WKH QDWXUDO EHDXW\ RI 0DOGLYHV LQFOXGLQJ UHHIV GHVHUW LVODQGV UHVRUWV DQG LQKDELWHG LVODQGV IURP DERYH 0RUH WKDQ 96 satellite photos of different islands are illustrated. The book is marketed and distributed by Atoll Images. 0RVW ERRN RQ 0DOGLYHV IRFXV DOO WKH DWWHQWLRQ RQ WKH UHVRUWV but this book is different. Appreciating the real beauty of 0DOGLYHV WKLV ERRN DLPV WR SURYLGH WKH YLHZHU WKH UHDO picture of Maldives from above. Most visitors to Maldives stay in resorts and do not get to see the real beauty of the 0DOGLYHV ZKLFK DUH WKH VKDSHV RI LVODQGV UHHIV LQKDELWHG LVODQGV DQG WKH EOHQGLQJ FRORXUV IURP DWROO ODJRRQ WR UHHIV VDQG EDQNV DQG PXFK PRUH ,I \RX FDQ YLVLW WKHVH LVODQGV LWV JUHDW EXW VHHLQJ WKHP IURP DERYH LV MXVW XQEHOHLYDEOH This book is strongly recommended for people who love Maldives and geography of small islands in particular. To purchase copies contact atoll images at info@atoll-images.com.

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Fun zone

How much do you know about MALDIVES? !"#$$%#"&'()**+,

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To complete the crossword, all you need to do is read the magazine. Clue: All answers come from the articles in this issue.

Identify the following island. Clue: This is an uninhabited island and not a resort.

0)34,"$'5)/* With so many islands and reefs, Maldives is fascinating when it comes to numbers. See if you can guess the right answer. 1 - Number of inhabited islands in Maldives. a- 312 b- 297 c- 197 d- 500 ACROSS 2 A type of water plant considered a nuisance in Maldives. 6 Local name for a famous channel in South Male’ atoll popular among divers. $ W\SH RI DUWL¿FLDO VWUXFWXUH XVHG WR DLG FRUDO JURZWK LQ D UHHI 9 The common name for island hotels in Maldives. 13 Local name for boat. 14 Type of accommodation that is usually considered superior to beach villas. 15 Maldivian Script. 17 A type of device used in surveying and navigation. 21 The only island in Maldives that is also considered an atoll. 22 Famous dive spot in South Male’ atoll for watching sharks. 23 A protected species considered among the big 7 of Maldives. 7\SH RI ¿VK WKDW DOPRVW KDV D WULDQJXODU VKDSH 25 Branch of surveying science that is extremely important to Maldives. 26 Closest island to Velassaru in South Male’ atoll. DOWN 1 An island having the shape of a lip. 6FKRROV RI WKLV ¿VK RIWHQ WDNH UHIXJH LQ VKLSZUHFNV 4 Man made machine extensively used in the Maldives. 5 Type of a coral resembling the branches of a tree. 7 Popular delicacy in Maldives also considered among the big 7 of Maldives. 10 One of the oldest mosques in Maldives. 11 Monsoon that coincides with European winter. 12 Popular tropical fruit grown widely in Maldives. 16 A large inhabited island close to Hanifaru reef in Baa atoll. 18 Local name for the Buddhist ruins in Kaashidhoo island. 19 Shark’s best friend. 20 A small uninhabited island in Lhaviyani atoll, south of a famous diving channel

2 - Number of Islands with a land area in excess of one square kilometre. a- 23 b- 33 c- 43 d- 50 3 - Population density of Maldives per sq km. a- 1200 b- 1000 c- 1500 d- 850 4 - Number of natural geographic atolls. a- 26 b- 20 c- 18 d- 32 5 - Surface area of the largest atoll in Maldives in sq km. a- 2399 b- 5438 c- 3788 d- 2344 6 - Number of distinct coral reefs greater than 1 ha in area. a- 4334 b- 2900 c- 3500 d- 2041 1XPEHU RI VSHFLHV RI UHHI ÂżVK LGHQWLÂżHG LQ 0DOGLYHV a- 3000 b- more than1200 c- 2500 d- more than 5000

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DISCOVER MALDIVES | 2010 issue

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sail your own safari walk on your own island

swim in your own lagoon

Voyages Maldives is one of the leading Travel and Tour companies in the Maldives, providing all tourism related services. With 30 years of invaluable experience, half a million customers in 2009, 32 international agency representations & 7 sea safaris, Voyages is one of the largest & most reputable agencies in the Maldives. While on any of the 7 Voyages Safaris, you have an endless variety of choices, as to what you wish to do or where you wish to go. There is the option of snorkeling, sailing, diving, fishing, surfing and much more. A day on an uninhabited island or a fishing village or even both! The option is all yours, whether it be Night Fishing, Beach Barbeque or a game of beach volley ball on a Robinson Crusoe Island. Voyages Maldives ‘Narugis’ Chandhanee Magu PO Box 2019 Male’ 20191, Maldives Phone: +960 332 2019 Fax: +960 332 5336 info@voyagesmaldives.com

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Moreover, we offer attractive resort packages from a broad variety of exquisite island resorts for holiday seekers. We provide proficient assistance in resort bookings to all our customers in making their holiday programs to suit their wishes from over 80 world class resorts. Thus, the preferred way of experiencing the Most Beautiful Islands in the World is with Voyages Maldives

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