Baa Atoll Council Reveals Long-Term Lease Plans for Four Sandbanks

The Baa Atoll Council has announced plans to lease four sandbanks for a period of 10 years, citing potential financial benefits for the council. 

The decision targets Nurafaru sandbank, Villingilifaru sandbank, along with the sandbanks adjacent to Landaagiraavaru Resort, both to the east and west. 

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Notably, three of these sandbanks are already under resort ownership, while the fourth belongs to a private individual. Previously, these sandbanks collectively generated an annual income of USD156,000.

Under the terms of the lease, the sandbanks will be subject to a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project. Any entity seeking to acquire them must allocate a minimum of USD32,000 towards CSR initiatives, with the contribution to be paid within two years.

Ahmed Afrah, President of the Baa Atoll Council, expressed optimism about the decision, highlighting its potential to bolster the council’s financial position. He noted that previously, resorts utilised the sandbanks without remitting any rental payments, whereas now, the community stands to gain from the lease agreements.

It’s worth noting that the council had previously intended to rent out numerous sandbanks in the atoll earlier in the year. However, these plans were thwarted when the previous government designated four areas within the atoll as protected areas instead.