The Maldives government has temporarily halted leasing of any uninhabited islands in the country.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture, tasked with approving lease applications of uninhabited islands, said that the decision was made to implement amendments to the lease regulations.
Back in November 2022, the Maldives Parliament passed the amendment bill to the Regulation on Uninhabited Islands of the Maldives with 53 yes votes. The amendment bill aimed at improving the existing regulations which conflict with the amendments of the Decentralization Act.
The bill proposed to amend 13 articles and grant local councils with discretion to lease and receive revenue from uninhabited islands under their respective jurisdiction.
The bill also included amendment to Article 11 which requires authorities to hold discussions with the atoll council before leasing any uninhabited island it its jurisdiction.
The Maldives currently has 774 uninhabited islands, with most of the uninhabited islands leased for tourist resort and other tourism-related projects. Agriculture and industrial activities cover the next major reasons for island lease in the country.