Research and Documentation Completed for Heritage Sites Across 18 Atolls
Malé Friday Mosque | Photo: Catherine Colas via Google Maps
Research and documentation of historical heritage sites have been completed across 18 atolls, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed has announced.
Responding to a question in Parliament, Heena said more than 400 heritage sites have so far been listed across the Maldives. She said the National Centre for Cultural Heritage and Kyoto University of Japan are jointly conducting a Maritime Survey to improve the management of these sites and collect additional information.
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According to the minister, documentation work has been completed in 18 atolls, while surveys are continuing in Alif Alif and Alif Dhaalu atolls. She said work in the two atolls is expected to be completed during July before the project moves to Malé.
Heena said that once documentation in Malé is completed, the cataloguing of heritage sites across the Maldives will be finalised. She added that the information gathered through the project will be made available free of charge through an online database, providing students and researchers with access to search and view the records. The database is also expected to support policy development and the future advancement of the heritage sector.
The minister also provided an update on the Lily House development project in Kelaa, Haa Alifu Atoll. She said a team from the ministry visited the island last month to carry out assessments and that physical work on the project is expected to begin as soon as possible, with completion targeted within this year.
Heena also said progress is being made on the Maldives’ bid to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for its coral stone mosques. She said the nomination file submitted to UNESCO in January has been accepted and is currently under evaluation.
According to the minister, a UNESCO evaluation team is scheduled to visit the Maldives in September to assess the nominated sites. She said achieving World Heritage status would represent a significant milestone for preserving the country’s cultural heritage while also supporting the tourism sector.
