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Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru Marine Laboratory
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Our
new Marine Biology Lab officially opened its doors to
the world in February this year, fully equipped with
state-of-the-art instruments and facilities for environmental
research.
This Lab is located on the island of Vabbinfaru and
will be a shared resource for environmental efforts
of both Banyan
Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru and sister resort,
Angsana
Maldives Ihuru – a first of its
kind to be funded and built by a private resort.
It is designed to carry out research programmes in the
Indian Ocean that will provide a greater understanding
of the reef environment and obtain significant data
for larger studies on marine life. |
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International
scientists from around the world are currently performing
significant experiments on-site for environmental studies
in coral
spawning, settlement
and transplantation, Green
Sea Turtle and Reef
Shark conservation, as well as beach
erosion and sediment movements. In addition,
we are planning to conduct further studies on the migratory
pattern of Spinner Dolphins.
The resorts’ Resident Marine Environmental Advisor,
Mr Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem will spearhead research activities.
“The lab provides us with an opportunity to further
expand research parameters in areas of coral regeneration
and conservation of marine life”, said Mr Abdul Azeez.
“Scientists that we have been working with for many
years can now spend more time to assist us with our projects
and at the same time gather data for larger research projects
that they are doing in the said areas.”
This
approach will give them an opportunity to verify findings
by trying out their experiments in the Maldives, which has
a different environmental condition compared to the location
of their original study.
Mr
Abdul Azeez also believes that the lab has a higher purpose
of creating
awareness of the need for marine conservation
among resort guests and Maldivian students, as it encourages
their participation in these unique research programmes.
This will enhance the ongoing awareness building activities
carried out by his team of marine biologists as participants
can use facilities to achieve a better understanding of
the marine conservation projects.
Guests and student volunteers can also join
specially trained in-house divers in monitoring
programmes such as reef and species inventory checks that
contribute to local and worldwide studies.
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Hithadhoo
Children's Park in the Maldives
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Proposed
site for the Children’s Park
Proposed floor plan
(Click
on image to enlarge)
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Hithadhoo is an island located at the southern end
of the Maldives, about 518 kilometers from the capital
island of Male. It is the second-most populated island
of the country, with a population of 13,000 of which
a majority works in the tourism industry.
Typically, a working adult therefore spends most of
his time in Male or one of the other islands where
resorts are located, leaving their children on Hithadhoo
with little supervision. While there has been a play
area with a few playground swings in the past, services
and facilities for children were inadequate. Children
have as a result taken to skating near a dangerous
road, unaware of the risks involved.
To provide a safer place for these children to hang
out, and to help set their parents’ minds at
ease, a portion of the Green Imperative Fund has been
commited to financing the construction of a Children’s
Park, which will include a safe skating area, exercise
pathways and a canteen.
The Hithadhoo Children’s Park will be a joint
project between the Women’s Development Committee
of Hithadhoo (from which the idea originated), the
Island Development Committee, and Banyan
Tree Maldives and sister resort Angsana
Ihuru. |
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Construction will commence in 2004. When completed,
the trapezium-shaped park is estimated to occupy an
area in excess of 6,000 square meters. In addition
to serving as a playground for the children, who make
up nearly a third of the island’s population,
it will also function as a general meeting place and
exercise area.
Environmental awareness classes — open to children
and adults alike — will be conducted in the
park on selected days. Teenagers will also be recruited
as volunteers for community service projects.
The Hithadhoo Children’s Park promises to be
a fun and educational place for everyone.
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