World famous for its sugar-white beaches and turquoise blue waters, the Maldives has in recent years become very well known for another reason; the possible submergence of the island nation into the Indian Ocean. Like all tropical islands, the Maldives are fragile, vulnerable and under increasing pressure from coastal development, utilisation of coastal resources and, of course, the biggest threat of all, global warming and it's effect on the environment. However, since the country depends so much on the foreign exchange earnings from the tourism industry, steps have been taken by the Government to protect the environment and the numerous species of plants, wildlife and other creatures that call it home.

In this series of articles, Maldives Traveller focuses on providing information on some of the protected species and areas in the Maldives.

Dhigalihaa

A very popular site among divers for the numerous sightings of barracudas, turtles and several types of reef sharks, the area known as Dhighalihaa in Baa Atoll was declared a Marine Protected Area in October 1999.

The most discerning feature of this long and narrow reef is its colourful reef top and the overhangs. The top of the reef at Dhigalihaa is at around 12m to 16m deep, and slopes down to depths of around 32m in some areas. Both soft and hard corals are abundant in the area, and a wide range of both tiny and medium-sized fish can be encountered even if you stay in one spot. The encrusting coralline algae which give coral structures and formations their bright colours are abundant in the area, especially the red type, so large areas of the coral found of the reef are red coloured. Since coralline algae plays an important role in the ecology of coral reefs - many marine creatures on it - expect to see lots of sea urchins, parrot fish, limpets and chitons in the area too.

Although Dhigalihaa was well-known as a place to watch some species of small sharks, recent surveys indicate that shark populations in the area have declined sharply all across Baa Atoll in recent years, so shark sightings are rare in Dhigalihaa now. However, there are still more than enough biodiversity found in the area to make the experience of diving there a memorable one.

Other articles under this series;

Kashibeyru Thila

Whale Shark

Turtles

Whales

Lhazikuraadi

Tritons (Conch) Shells

Dolphins

Vattaru Kandu

Hurasdhoo

Napoleon Wrasse

Giant Clams

Lobsters

Fushee Kandu
Brown Noddy

Olhugiri

Hithaadhoo

Caspian Tern

Angafaru

Black Headed Heron