MVR 7M from Green Fund to be utilized annually for environmental protection

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to utilize MVR 7 million from the Green Fund for environmental protection measures on an annual basis.

In an address on Friday on occasion of World Environment Day, President Muizzu said that lack of assess to financial resources had remained the biggest challenge to identifying climate change, changes to climate from the pace of national development, mitigating damage, and implement measures to protect and safeguard the environment.

President Muizzu said that he has therefore decided to allocate MVR 7 million from the Green Fund each year for environmental protection.

This will be an additional investment on environmental protection beyond the annual budget for environment-related initiatives, he said.

The Green Fund is proceeds collected by the state from the Green Tax, which is charged at the rate of USD 12 per tourist per night from resorts, and at the rate of USD 6 per tourist per night from guesthouses.

It is utilized to finance environmental protection projects and sustainable development projects such as water and sanitation projects, coastal protection projects, and waste management projects.

In his address, President Muizzu said that the decision to utilize MVR 7 million from the Green Fund on environmental protection will take it “to the next level.”

According to President Muizzu, the funds will mainly go towards monitoring and safeguarding environmentally protected areas, doing necessary repair works there, and finding ways to make a profit from conservation efforts, as well as towards environmental research, information dissemination, improving technical expertise in the field, and running programs in collaboration with environmental NGOs and environment clubs in schools.

President Muizzu believes the change will enhance environmental protection efforts, and facilitate the implementation of long-term programs.