Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve: Glimpse Of Maldives’ Rich Biodiversity

The Maldives is world renowed for being rich in biodiversity. It has over 1000 varieties of fishes, 250 kinds of corals that breathe life into the ocean. The Maldives occupies 5 per cent of the total reef area on earth. Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization( UNESCO). Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve gives a glimpse of the special kinds of marine world, fauna, and flora of the Maldives.

Baa Atoll is Biosphere Reserve is one of twenty official regions of the Maldives and is made up of three different natural atolls. The biggest one of which is 42 kilometres in length and 32 kilometres in width. The area is located in the prime area of the country. The atoll makes up a part of the double chain of atolls at the archipelago’s main zone. It is made up of 76 islands out of which 13 are occupied by local island inhabitants. 15 islands are tourist islands with resorts. The rest of the islands are left deserted.

The atoll has a population residing on the island roughly is 9,000. The island of Eydhafushi is the atoll capital with 2,500 roughly inhabiting it. Besides, Eydhafushi, Thulhaadhoo and Dharavandhoo are the other islands with over 1000 people residing in them

More About Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve

Baa Atoll is thought to be world significant in regards to its biodiversity. The biosphere covers about 139,700 hectares. This is a living example of that represents the rich biodiversity and marine life of the Maldives. The atoll is located right off north of the Kaashidhoo channel, which geographically separates the northern chain of atolls from the central chain.

According to UNESCO’s description on Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the atoll holds one of the biggest collections of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. It serves as a means for the transportation of planktonic larvae and reef organisms from the western and eastern Indian Ocean. The atoll is made up of different environments that sustain the precious biodiversity of the atoll. This comprises of coral reefs, islands, seagrass beds, and mangroves to name a few.

The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve is made up of nine Core Areas that are strictly protected and maintained in which commercial, artisanal and subsistence removal of all living and non-living means is banned. Core Areas are explicitly specified management areas that have rich biological importance in terms of marine and physical biodiversity and add a lot of natural value to Baa Atoll, the country and the people using the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve means. Core Areas are designated with the topmost levels of protection.

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Only a certain number of activities is allowed inside the borders of these Core Areas. These activities need rigorous management practices, codes of conduct and due care from all people who visit. Taking out any boat, except in emergencies, is banned in the Core Areas. The end for all Core Areas stretches 200 meters from the reef edge and covers all marine and terrestrial, living and non-living sources contained inside the frame.

Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve is sure worth the visit! Check out some of the Maldives packages by Pickyourtrail.