GEF SGP Conserving Kelaa’s Kandoofa –A Biodiversity Mapping and Food Security Approach

Objectives

Enhancing the appreciation of mangroves and its benefits for local communities
Gather data to monitor and conserve Kelaa’s mangrove

Location:

Ha. Kelaa, Maldives

Project Type:

Environmental Action

Donor:

GEF SGP, via UNDP

Status:

Completed

Completion:

June 2021

Mapping and Surveying

Mapping of mangrove area and biodiversity surveying to work towards conservation of Kelaa's Kandoofa

Documenting Local Knowledge

Gathering local knowledge of the art of harvesting and preparing kandoo as a staple food (videos, infographics, survey report)

Marketing Kandoo Farmers

Marketing kandoo as a local delicacy (design, branding, marketing). The goal here is to keep the kandoo tradition and knowledge alive.

Updating LUP of Kelaa

Workshops

Marketing kandoo as a local delicacy (design, branding, marketing). The goal here is to keep the kandoo tradition and knowledge alive.

“މިއަދު އެފަދަ ދުވަހެއް (ތަދު ދުވަހެއް) އަތުވެއްޖެނަމަ ދުއްވައިގަންނާނެ އެއް ދިމާއެއްވެސް ނެތް ކަނޑޫފާ ނޫނިއްޔާ”

~

Biodiversity Mapping and Land Survey

Mapping is useful to portray geographical features and monitor regular changes in climate conditions and structural developments if carried out regularly. Using the data we collected, we were able to portray a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity of Kelaa’s Kandoofa including the following:

1. Defined boundaries: Determined the exact area of the mangrove to ease monitoring for the changes in the area over time by repeating the survey

2. Established characteristics: Identify the species of mangroves and canopy cover, and area based species diversity. Email us to request full report

3. Determined potential: Identified areas that need a management plan

Special thanks to INSA Consultancy Pvt Ltd for conducting the community-based UAV mapping and biodiversity survey sessions. And a thank you to Charrette Studio Pvt Ltd for visualizing the survey report in an interactive GIS map below.

The results of this survey were presented to the Environmental Protection Agency of the Maldives with the backing of UNDP Maldives. One of the most successful moments during this project was Kelaa Kandoofa’s status being upgraded to a Protected Area.

Land Use Plan and Kelaa Tourism Development Masterplan

The existing Land Use Plan of Kelaa was updated in 2015 and recently allocated housing plots are not shown on the LUP. Thus, using RTK GPS system, the newly given plots were surveyed and updated to the Land Use Plan. The survey was conducted on 5th December 2018 and survey data was updated to the LUP in February 2019. Land Use Plans need to be reviewed every 5 years to make necessary changes based on the land demand and development needs.

Through this project, we conducted multiple stakeholder consultations to gather feedback for Land Use Planning. Our Land Use Plan updating was undertaken by Charrette Studio Pvt Ltd who also created Kelaa Tourism Zone Development Plan as IN KIND work as part the of the LUP review and updating. This Masterplan was aimed at proposing eco-based tourism in Kelaa with the kandoofa and farmlands of Kelaa as a major pull factor to the island.

AAVI - a product from the farmlands of Kelaa

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Aavi, a Dhivehi word meaning ‘steam’ is a local brand with its roots in Ha. Kelaa, the north of Maldives.

We specialize in bringing seasonal produce from farm to table, ready to be steamed or boiled.
Supporting Aavi products directly support local farmers, especially the women of Ha. Kelaa.

Check out the video below to learn more about what Kandoo is and how it is harvested and prepared in Kelaa.

Vehey Vaarey Therein
Kandoo Faa Kulhi Therein
Jehey Finiroalhi Libumun Mey Furey

Meyna Hassan

Contact Info

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