Thamburudhoo region

K. Than'burudhoo

WDPA ID

81023

Total Area

318.46 ha


Status
Designated
Contact Number

Not listed.

Thanburudhoo Thila in K. Atoll, or “H.P Reef”, is a Thila that has been protected since 1995. Thanburudhoo Thila area’s zonation was reviewed to include the the Thanburudhoo island and the Giri sandbank to the north of Thanburudhoo since Thanburudhoo and the area that surrounds it are naturally and characteristically significant. K. Thanburudhoo is a 3.5-hectare rocky shore island on the northeast side of K. Atoll, 17 kilometers away from Malé. The unique environmental features of this island include a 0.33-hectare wetland. This mangrove area floods when the tide rises and dries up with low tide. Some important species that can be seen on this island include protected birds as well as migratory birds. Grey Herons (‘maakanaa’), Maldivian Water Hens (‘kanbili’), Black-naped Terns (‘kirudhooni’), and Common Terns (‘valla’) can be observed resting on this island. It has also been recorded that Grey Herons make their nests, lay eggs and populate on the island. Moreover, small-leaved orange mangroves (Kan’doo) have been recorded in the mangrove area, and trees that can be observed on the island include Cordia (‘kaani’), Sea randa (‘uni’), Banyan trees (‘nika’), Portia trees (‘hirundhu’), Grey nickernut (‘kashikunburu’), Coconut palms (‘ruh’), Sea hibiscus (‘dhiggaa’), Pemphis (‘kuredhi’), Bay cedar (‘halaveli’), Headache tree (‘dhakandhu’), Beach plum (‘magoo’), Indian almond tree (‘midhili’), Thatch screwpine (‘boakashikeyo’), ___ (‘boashi’), Great morinda (‘ahi’) and ____ (‘thanburu’). The monstrous waves that break on both sides of this island are an “oceanographic” phenomenon seen on only a few other islands in the Maldives. These waves are also famous among surfers throughout the world. Besides this, the sea surrounding Thanburudhoo is home to diverse varieties of marine life, including soft corals and different species of reef fish. The Thanburudhoo Thila or “H.P. Reef” of this area is also a prominent diving spot. The H.P Reef is well-known for its soft corals, underwater caves, and overhangs above these caves. Some important species that can be observed in this area include different types of rays, eels, sharks and turtles.

Attributes

Protected Area Category
  • Category 7 - Protected Area with Sustainable Use
Date of Protection:
27 September 1995

Bookings

Activities
No activities.

Resources

15 Dive sites protection 1995

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K.Thanburudhoo_rezonation

513.01 KB
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1995 15 dive sites protection_en

387.58 KB
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