Hadhdhunmathi. Six protected areas declared in one day in December 2021, most of them for turtles, and a road that joins four islands.
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Laamu's entire protected estate was declared on one day, 23 December 2021, and reading the six together shows what it was declared for. Gaadhoo's southern and western shores, its reef and its seagrass are a place green and hawksbill turtles have nested for generations; the island was emptied of people in 2016. The Gaadhoo-Hithadhoo channel next to it is a reef-fish spawning site with reef manta rays, napoleon wrasse and both turtle species recorded.
Vadinolhu, on the north-west rim, is a channel entrance divers know, and the register names it as a breeding ground for grouper and napoleon wrasse.
Inland there is Gan's Bodu Fengandu, a gold-coloured lake on the east side of Kuda Hinna that the register says carries as much folklore as biology — it is also called the Fairy Pond and the Hell Pond — surrounded by red mangrove. Gan is one of four islands here joined by road, which is rare in this country and makes Laamu unusually easy to move around once you have landed.
Laamu Atoll has one airport. The nearest to Velana is Kadhdhoo Airport on Kadhdhoo, 259 km south of it. The runway takes turboprops rather than jets, so every arrival connects through Malé or comes by seaplane.
Kadhdhoo Airport is in the atoll and takes turboprops, so a domestic flight and then a road or boat transfer is the route. Seaplane from Velana is the alternative. Seaplanes fly between sunrise and sunset only, and the operator asks guests who want to reach the resort the same day to be in the Maldives by 15:30.
The Gaadhoo-Hithadhoo sea on the southern edge of Hahdhunmathi, lying between Gaadhoo and Hithadhoo has plenty of marine life species in it. It has been recorded that reef fish lay eggs here to populate. Some significant species that have been observed here, which are protected in the Maldives, are Mobula Alfredi/ Reef Manta Ray (En’madi), Napolean Wrasse, Cheilinus undulates (Maahulhun’bu Lan’daa) and two species of turtles. These include Chelonia mydas/ Green Turtle (Velaa) and Eretmochelys imbricate/ Hawksbill turtles (Kahan’bu). Similarly, multiple species of sharks, whale sharks (fehurihi), and rays are also recorded to be found in this area. As these species are internationally declared as endangered, it is of the utmost importance that this area is protected to maintain their population levels.
L. Vadinolhu atoll entrance (Kanduolhi) is located on the north-west edge of Hadhdhunmathi. This Kanduolhi is rich with vibrant species of marine life and is famous among divers. This area also acts as a breeding ground for groupers (Faana) and Napoleon Wrasse (Maahulhunbulandaa). The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula Alfredi, Enmadi), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas, Velaa), Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate Kahan’bu), which are recognised as endangered species globally, and also protected species in the Maldives, along with various types of sharks are some of the species recorded to be seen in this area. The large sandbank in this area is used by seabirds for resting and as a breeding ground.
L. Gan’s ‘Bodu Fengandu’ or Big Pond is a gold-coloured lake located on the east side of Kuda Hinna. It is also known as ‘Paree Fengandu’ (Fairy Pond) or ‘Naraka Fengandu’ (Hell Pond). This lake plays a huge role in the history of this island and a lot of folktales are also attributed to it.When we evaluate the environmentally valuable features of this island, it is worth mentioning that Red Mangrove (Ran’doo) can be seen in high numbers in its mangroves and wetlands area. And the area is surrounded by fish poison trees (Kin’bi Gas). This area is essential in order to ensure the survival of birds that are protected nationwide in the Maldives. One of the bird species that has been recorded as breeding and populating in this island is White-tailed Tropicbird (Dhan’difulhu Dhooni). And importantly, the mangrove and wetlands areas are known to keep the freshwater lens of the island clean and protect the island from flooding. They also play a key role in preventing global warming by acting as carbon sinks by controlling the carbon dioxide levels.
L Gaadhoo, a previously inhabited island, was declared as an uninhabited in 2016. The protected areas of this island are as stated below: The southern and western shores and the surrounding reef and seagrass. This is an area in the Maldives where turtles have laid eggs and hatched for generations. Green turtles (‘Vela’/Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtles (‘Kahan’bu’/Eretmochelys imbricate) are the most commonly recorded turtle species to lay eggs here. They are both endangered species and protected under the environmental protection act in the Maldives, and are also considered endangered globally. The seagrass surrounding the island is an important source of food for turtles. Moreover, it is a crucial environment for reef fish to breed. It is also a ‘carbon sink’ which can help reduce global warming. In the seagrass area surrounding this island, 6 types of seagrass and 91 species of reef fish have been recorded. The mangorve in this island is a freshwater lake located in the wetland area on the east side. Areas such as this play a vital role in keeping the water lens of the island fresh and lowers the chance of flooding. Black mangroves (Burevi) can be found growing in large numbers in this area. Moreover. This island is essential for the seasonal birds and to maintain the environment of protected birds.