Conservation Program

Conservation Programme

The Baa Atoll Conservation Programme (BACP) encompasses all islands, waters, and resources—both biological and non-biological—within Baa Atoll, extending to an outer perimeter of one (1) nautical mile from the outer reef zone. The programme is implemented in accordance with the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is defined as: "a strategy for the integrated management of land, water, and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way."

The Conservation Programme safeguards terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including critical sites such as Hanifaru Bay, while maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and long-term resilience. Its overarching goal is to ensure that the ecosystems of Baa Atoll remain healthy, productive, and resilient into the future.

Key Actions

  • Strategic Action Plan: Development of a prioritized portfolio of actions to address key threats to the Atoll's ecosystems
  • Zonation System: Implementation of a zoning framework for the Biosphere Reserve to guide sustainable use and protection
  • Management Plans: Preparation and execution of management plans for all core protected areas within the Atoll

Through these measures, the BACP ensures a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to conservation, integrating protection, sustainable use, and community engagement to safeguard Baa Atoll's natural heritage for generations to come.

Ecosystem Management Approach

The key ecosystem management approach of this strategy includes:

  • People (societal choice), rather than biodiversity are at the heart of natural resource management
  • Decentralizes management and governance to the lowest appropriate level
  • Extends biodiversity management beyond protected areas, to whole ecosystems (biological and non-biological)
  • Maintenance (long term) of ecosystem structure, function and services
  • Management systems developed at appropriate spatial and temporal scales and ecosystems managed within their limits of their function
  • Engages the full range of sectoral interests in an integrated way
  • Integrates conservation and sustainable use
  • Recognises that (climate) change is inevitable, and promotes adaptation strategies to deal with change

Long Term Goal

The long term goal of the BACP is to ensure the ecosystem of Baa Atoll remains healthy, productive and resilient into the future.

Three Main Tasks

The Conservation Programme focuses on three core tasks:

1. Zonation System Implementation

Supporting implementation of the Biosphere Reserve Zonation System, including monitoring of developments, input to EIAs where possible and the enforcement of regulations in close consultation with Environmental Regulatory Authority and the Maldives Police Service and other institutions where necessary.

2. Management Plans Promotion

Promoting implementation of the management plans for core areas, and where necessary enforcement of regulations in close consultation with Environmental Protection Agency, Maldives Police Service, Atoll Council and Island Councils.

3. Strategic Actions Implementation

Implementing, and regularly updating, the programme of strategic actions to reduce key threats to biodiversity.