Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to install ambient air quality monitoring systems (AAQMS) and sensors in Hulhumale’.
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier donated two AAQM systems to the Maldives government, to help the island nation monitor air quality in the satellite town.
Minister of Environment Aminath Shauna and HDC’s Managing Director Ahmed Athif signed the MoU on behalf of the bodies they represented. Speaking after the signing, Minister Shauna said “Ministry of Environment and HDC will collaborate in publicizing the data collected from these stations and raising public awareness on air quality.”
Under the agreement, two air quality monitoring stations will be set up in Central Park and Hulhumale’ Phase II.
The AAQM systems will be used to analyze air pollution and monitor presence of harmful chemicals. The systems will provide Air Quality Index (AQI) data, which helps with the assessment of pollution contributors.
AQI is used to understand air pollution levels and forecast future pollution expectations.