President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued a decree designating Maafaru lagoon as part of Feridhoo in North Ari Atoll, a move aimed at strengthening the island’s economic base and future development prospects.
The change was formalised through Presidential Decree No. 22/2025, enacted under the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 07/2010), by exercising the powers vested in the President under Section 134(a) of the Act. Following this decision, the appendix of Presidential Decree No. 2/2025 on the determination of inhabited islands has been updated, and the amendment has been published in the Government Gazette.
The government described the decision as fulfilling the President’s pledge to ensure Feridhoo has a sustainable source of income generation, granting the island access to additional resources that can support long-term economic growth.
In the Maldives, lagoons hold considerable value for local communities. They can be leased for tourism ventures or utilised for fisheries and aquaculture projects. By linking Maafaru lagoon to Feridhoo, the island is expected to benefit from greater opportunities to pursue such developments under local council authority, creating new income streams while promoting self-sufficiency.
North Ari Atoll is already one of the country’s most active regions for tourism, with Feridhoo positioned to take advantage of its natural resources and location. The integration of Maafaru lagoon into Feridhoo’s jurisdiction could play a key role in supporting both small-scale businesses and larger investments.
The government has framed the decision as part of its broader policy to align decentralisation with local economic empowerment, enabling islands to manage resources in ways that directly benefit their communities.
