Maldives - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The Republic of Maldives consists of 1,192 tiny islands spread from north to south. With the islands surrounded by the ocean, the greatest diversity occurs in marine life. The 1,192 tiny, low-lying coral islands form 26 natural atolls. Coral reefs are the dominant ecosystems found in the islands of Maldives. The coral reef systems of the Maldives are the seventh largest in the world and cover an area approximately 8,900 km2 in size, which is approximately the fifth most diverse ecosystem of the world’s reef areas... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The pristine marine ecosystems of Maldives are being threatened by natural factors such as climate change and related factors such as coral bleaching. They are also threatened by anthropogenic activity such as tourism and over-exploitation without consideration given to biodiversity. Pollution from uncontrolled waste disposal, untreated sewage and land reclamation and channel building are major threats to the biodiversity... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

The guiding principles of the NBSAP (2002) are: ecological sustainability, individual responsibility for biodiversity conservation, equitable sharing of benefits, accountability and transparency of decision-makers to the public, and community participation. The NBSAP was formulated with wide consultation and extensive stakeholder participation and built on three fundamental goals, 15 objectives, including an objective on implementation, and associated strategies or measures... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The Maldives has made progress in achieving success in a number of global goals and targets, with 44 protected areas, covering 428,569 hectares of marine area and 273 hectares of land area, currently protected under the Environment Protection and Preservation Act 4/93 (this figure includes marine and terrestrial protected areas)... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

Very little of the country’s biodiversity is currently protected. Policies and action plans regarding the management and integration of protected areas exist in all key national policy documents, such as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) and National Development Plans (NDPs)... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

There is currently no coordination system in place which helps monitor and review implementation strategies. It is hoped that regular monitoring and review mechanisms for the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan can be established through a focus on community participation and establishing clear indicators in... More »