'Protected island Bathalaa leased unlawfully'

3 days ago

An audit by the Auditor General’s Office (AG Office) shows that Bathalaa, a small island located in the biosphere reserve in Baa Atoll, a protected region, was leased unlawfully. According to the audit report, the Baa Atoll biosphere reserve, which includes Bathalaa, was designated protected status on June 5, 2011, without nullifying a lease agreement executed by then-Fisheries Ministry on December