Set up to help raise awareness amongst the local population, Lhaviyani Turtle Fest is run on the local island of Naifaru by NGO Naifaru Juveniles, with the help of The Olive Ridley Project, Manta Trust and the Maldives’ Environmental Protection Agency, amongst others. It was a pleasure for Kuredu to co-sponsor this important festival.

During the day, presentations by visiting experts taught the local school children about the current threats to the marine environment, and how they can help. Representatives from Prodivers joined those from our sister islands, including Hurawalhi’s marine biologist Lisa Bauer, to help man stalls at the event and play games with the local children.

The highlight of the day was releasing two olive ridley turtles that had been receiving rehabilitation treatment for six months (after being rescued by Lisa) back into the wild.

The festival closed with school children from 3 different islands across the atoll performing cultural dances, and awards being given out to the participating schools from the days competitions.