IUCN to hold marine festival in Maldives

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has decided to hold a marine festival in the Maldives, to increase awareness on marine environmental issues.

The “Moodhu Maakan’du Fest 14”, organised by the IUCN in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, and Alifu-Alifu Atoll Council, will be held in Alifu-Alifu Mathiveri on Saturday.

IUCN said that from now on, the festival will be held in Alifu-Alifu Atoll every year.

The festival is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Project Regenerate, which deals with strengthening efforts to protect coral reefs from the effects of climate change.

IUCN said that courses on snorkelling and swimming, and the chance to experience scuba diving will be offered at the festival.

The festival area will have a stall by the Maldives National University (MNU) to provide information on higher education opportunities in environment studies, while the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) will offer a First Aid Training Program, said IUCN.

With more than 200 member countries, IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental network. The organisation has had a presence in the Maldives since 1985.