H Dh. Keylakunu

HDh. Keylakunu

WDPA ID

555697563

Total Area

235.54 ha


Status
Designated
Contact Number
ERA - 7980379
PCA Maldives - 3018371

Keylakunu is an uninhabited island located in the south Thiladhunmathi atoll. This island is environmentally significant. The island is home to a variety of species, interconnected with people’s behaviour and livelihoods. Keylakunu is comparatively greener than other islands in the Maldives, and the eastern side of the island consists of mangroves and wetlands. A vast area of the island contains small leaved orange mangroves, bodavaki and kulhlhava.

In addition to this, there is a forest made up of Gray Mangrove 'barugas', which does not grow in abundance in any part of the world. The diameters of the trunks of barugas are measured at 7.8 ft, with the trees growing over 30 metres.

The most significant aspect of this island is the mangrove and wetland area, formed as a jungle, located on the east side of the island. Different sized trees of small leafed orange mangrove and red mangrove can be seen in abundance, whose roots have formed a network of small wetlands. The area is a carbon sink as well. Various species of birds regularly visit this island. 11 species of birds were observed just during the survey of this island. The rarely seen tropical white-tailed bird (“dhandufulhu dhooni”) in the Maldives can be seen quite often in this island. This bird requires a special environment to populate in. It is also important to note that a significant amount of turtles nest on its beach. Keylakunu is considerably different from the typical Maldivian island. This is because of the way trees and plants grow in this island, and it belongs to the forest category, which not a lot of area in the Maldives qualify for. Apart from this, what makes this island distinct and worth conserving is its mangroves and wetland area, as well as its reef area and the diversity in bird species.

Attributes

Protected Area Category
  • Category 6 – Habitat/Species Management Area
  • Category 7 - Protected Area with Sustainable Use
Date of Protection:
30 December 2018
Ecosystem Typology
  • Marine
  • Terrestrial
  • Mangrove

Bookings

Activities
No activities.

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