President Muizzu Allocates MVR 7 Million Annually From Green Fund for Environmental Protection
Green Fund to provide MVR 7 million yearly | Photo: The President’s Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that MVR 7 million from the Green Fund will be allocated annually to strengthen environmental protection efforts in the Maldives.
Speaking on Friday to mark World Environment Day, the President said limited access to financial resources has remained one of the biggest challenges in addressing climate change, mitigating environmental damage caused by development, and implementing measures to protect and preserve the environment.
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As a result, he has decided to dedicate MVR 7 million from the Green Fund each year to environmental protection initiatives. The allocation will be an additional investment and will not replace funding already provided through the state budget for environmental programmes.
The Green Fund consists of revenue generated through the Green Tax, which is charged at USD 12 per tourist per night at resorts and USD 6 per tourist per night at guesthouses. The fund is used to finance environmental protection and sustainable development projects, including water and sanitation schemes, coastal protection initiatives, and waste management programmes.
According to the President, the new allocation is intended to enhance environmental protection efforts and support the implementation of long-term initiatives. The funds will primarily be directed towards monitoring and safeguarding protected areas, carrying out necessary maintenance and repair work, and exploring ways to generate economic benefits from conservation activities.
Additional funding will be used for environmental research, public awareness and information-sharing initiatives, strengthening technical expertise in the sector, and supporting collaborative programmes with environmental non-governmental organisations and school-based environment clubs.
President Muizzu said the initiative would take environmental protection efforts to a higher level while providing greater support for sustainable and long-term conservation programmes across the country.
