NAALIO PHOTOS
LEFT: Recycling is a priority
Standard practice Eco-conscious efforts take centre stage at The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives
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ustainable tourism is a hot topic of conversation in the Maldives, with properties doing all they can to protect the environment. It’s a matter of urgency, with scientists claiming this archipelagic country, most of which is located just six feet above sea level, could be submerged in water in less than 60 years. One property championing sustainable practices is The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives, an ecoconscious resort set on 6.5 hectares of land. Here, the natural rocks and reefs in the lagoon surrounding the resort remain untouched and indigenous vegetation from other islands has been brought in and replanted. The resort also generates its own compost, grows its own produce, has set
THE STANDARD HURUVALHI MALDIVES The Standard is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male Velana International Airport and features
JANUARY 2022
up an on-site wastewater treatment facility and recycles as much as possible, with the leadership team always looking for new ways to become more efficient, sustainable and smart in how it operates. “We’ve worked a lot to be more sustainable,” says General Manager Jesper Soerensen. “The first action in being sustainable is that you start refusing to take things on. We do a lot of purchasing where I’ll say, no that’s too much, or that’s individual wrapping – I don’t want that.” Many recycling and waste measures are enforced by the government, explains Resort Manager Mohamed Hassan. “There has to be bottle crushers, compactors, and an incinerator of a certain
standard and sewage treatment plants, because you can’t just flush gray matter directly into the sea,” he says. “The wet garbage that comes out of the kitchens gets eaten by the biodigester machine, and the waste that comes out gets turned into fertilisers.” The Standard grows much of its own produce in a dedicated resort garden and to supplement this, buys locally wherever possible. Despite the space constraints of the island, there are plans to expand what it produces by working with partners. “With planning the island will have more than 2,000 chickens for the number of eggs required by June and July 2022. We have banana, watermelon, tomatoes, and various types of lettuces, and we then buy from local islands. We have invested in a local bakery and we’re in the process of putting a full team together.” Preserving the natural environment is a priority. “The beach rock protects the island from changes in weather, so we don’t touch it,” says Hassan. Soerensen adds: “Other resorts move the rock out because it’s not so attractive, but that causes beach erosion and water breaks. And now they’re learning their lesson and are having to bring in big boulders from India. It’s important for us not to disturb the nature.”
115 over-water and beach villas, each with a private lounge deck and plunge pool. It’s a property for the young and hip, couples, families, and if you travel solo, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, from snorkeling, paddle boating, scuba diving and fishing to the luxury spa, yoga sessions, the gym, guest DJ and cinema nights, and the four onsite restaurants and three bars. Highlights include the snorkeling safari, with the opportunity to see exotic fish, coral, turtles, clams, and even lobsters; lunch at Joos Café, overlooking the infinity pool and Indian Ocean; and for authentic Maldivian cuisine, Guduguda, where dishes are cooked the local way.
The snorkelling safari
THE STANDARD HURUVALHI MALDIVES
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RIGHT: The natural lagoon environment is protected
