#Tech4Nature #Maldives #Male #Whale Sharks

Maldives Launches Tech4Nature Project

The Maldives has taken a significant step in conservation by launching the Tech4Nature initiative aimed at safeguarding its renowned whale shark population. This project is a collaboration between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Maldives, and tech giant Huawei. The initiative aims to modernize the management practices at the Southern Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) through advanced field monitoring and communication technologies.

As the largest marine protected area in the Maldives, SAMPA is crucial for the whale shark (Rhinocodon typus) aggregation, attracting thousands of visitors every year. However, the extensive area and numerous access points present significant logistical challenges for traditional monitoring methods. To address these issues, Tech4Nature equips park rangers with a set of digital observation and reporting tools that empower them to carry out more efficient patrols, tracking interactions between tourists and wildlife.

Through improved data collection and real-time communication capabilities, the project lays the groundwork for measurable and transparent conservation efforts, while supporting local livelihoods that rely on a healthy marine ecosystem. The initiative plays a vital role in advancing SAMPA towards being recognized on the IUCN Green List, which reflects effective and equitable protected area management.

Officially launched during the high-level closing ceremony of the Maldives Protected Area and Conservation Forum 2026, this project marks the first implementation of the Tech4Nature initiative in the Maldives. It contributes to a broader global movement co-led by IUCN and Huawei aimed at expanding the use of digital solutions in nature conservation. Tech4Nature shows how technology can foster effective and equitable conservation efforts, aligning with the IUCN Green List Standard for protected areas.

The project emphasizes a balanced approach between tourism and conservation. It aims to enhance visitor management, ensure compliance with regulations, and support data-driven decision-making processes. Throughout the initiative, the dedicated ranger team at SAMPA will benefit from essential monitoring and communication equipment, enabling prompt responses to unsafe or non-compliant activities.

This improved monitoring capability is expected to elevate the overall compliance of protected area regulations, fostering more sustainable tourism practices that align with SAMPA's management and conservation objectives. Dr. Dindo Campilan, the Regional Director for IUCN Asia, emphasized that effective conservation begins by equipping rangers with necessary tools for ongoing in-field monitoring. He pointed out that this approach addresses immediate operational deficiencies while ensuring that SAMPA retains its unique biodiversity and the local livelihoods that depend on it.

In conjunction with on-ground implementation, the project will also support ranger training on the IUCN Green List Standard, the global benchmark for effective, equitable, and well-managed protected areas. A baseline assessment of Green List sites will be carried out for SAMPA, creating a structured framework for identifying strengths, weaknesses, and priority actions for better management.

Continuing its commitment to conservation, the Maldivian government is focused on strengthening institutional frameworks and governance mechanisms for managing protected areas. Minister Thoriq Ibrahim highlighted the importance of collective effort towards shared goals in conservation.

Zhang Jinze, CEO of Huawei Sri Lanka, shared insights on the successful outcomes of previous Tech4Nature projects since their launch in 2020. He noted that innovative technological solutions are instrumental in understanding and mitigating threats to biodiversity and marine ecosystems. He also emphasized that a key aspect of the global Tech4Nature alliance is engaging partners and local communities in planning and implementation to ensure the sustainability of solutions.

To date, Tech4Nature has successfully supported eleven flagship and satellite projects across various countries, providing customized digital solutions for diverse conservation challenges, ranging from coral reef monitoring to wildlife protection and ecosystem restoration.

About Huawei: Founded in 1987, Huawei is a global leader in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, operating in over 170 countries. IUCN is a global union of member organizations that harnesses the expertise and resources of over 1,500 member organizations and contributions from more than 17,000 experts to provide insights into the state of the natural world and the necessary measures to safeguard it. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment oversees the formulation and implementation of policies related to tourism, environmental protection, climate change, and more to ensure sustainable development in the Maldives.