Milandhoo (Shaviyani Atoll)

Shaviyani Milandhoo
Shaviyani Milandhoo satellite photo
Island summary
Belongs to	Shaviyani Atoll Capital District
Location	06°17′05″N 73°14′36″E / 6.28472°N 73.24333°E / 6.28472; 73.24333Coordinates: 06°17′05″N 73°14′36″E / 6.28472°N 73.24333°E / 6.28472; 73.24333
Area	126 hactare²
Population	2145 (2010)
Councillor	Mohamed Yasir
Facebook	Milandhoo

Milandhoo should not be confused with Miladhoo

Milandhoo (Dhivehi: މިލަންދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of the Shaviyani Atoll administrative division and geographically part of the Miladhummadulhu Atoll in the Maldives.

On 26 October 2009, Milandhoo was announced to be the new administrative capital of Shaviyani Atoll.

History

Milandhoo was an inhabited island in recent history and it is believed that the island got uninhabited during Dutch Colonization when they attack northern islands of Maldives. During those days many islands having lagoons, easy and safe for the boats to harbor have been left by their citizens and emigrated to islands difficult to use as harbor; for their own safety.

When Milandhoo was inhabited it was one of the islands having largest population in Maldives and the population was almost equal to that of Funadhoo. In each of two islands there more than 20 fishing dhonies and shipping lines. There were two wards in the island. Northern ward is Maakoa ward and southern ward was Ashimagu ward. Maakoa was more populated and was more inflective. Milandhoo was prefixed with Maakoa to show their power and influence. From the name Maakoa Milandhoo they intended to show that Milandhoo is Maakoa. Some historians say Milandhoo got uninhabited after the incident of “Maakoabadhavi” (maa-koa-ba-the-vi).

Milandhoo is re-inhabited by emigration of citizens of Maakandoodhoo due to environmental crisis they were facing. Milandhoo was officially announced as separate inhabited island on 20 March 2005. The island is having highest population in Shaviyani atoll with more than 2140 people. It is administrative capital of Shaviyani Atoll.

Geography

Milandhoo is located at 06°17′05″N 73°14′36″E . It is situated at eastern region of Shaviyani atoll in between Maakandoodhoo and Nalandhoo and spread across an area of 126 hector. The island has a pond and a lake. They are “Rayy Kulhi” located at South West and “Sikundi Kudhi” at North West.

Rayy kulhi (in English read lake/pond) is named so because of the red colour of water due to debris of bottle gourd plants and other mangroves in the swamp and surroundings. It is comparatively smaller and sallower than Sikundi Kulhi, but is a picnic destination of many during holidays.

Sikundi Kulhi (in English prawn lake) is a place of rich biodiversity and natural beauty. The lake is named so because of large number of shrimps and prawns present in it. Length of the lake measures about 350 ft (110 m) while breadth is not less than 250 ft (76 m). Maximum depth is reported to be 5 ft (1.5 m).

Main species in the lake are shrimps and prawns. They are transparent and largest of these fishes are of 1.5 inches (38 mm). During rainy season more amount of prawns are fond than normal days. Barracuda and few other species of fish are also rarely found in the lake. Crabs and hermit crabs are found at the surrounding areas of the lake. Clay deposited at the center of lake is used for traditional medicine. Bottle gourd plants, iron wood, sea hibiscus and mangroves and mainly found at that area while great morinda and coconut palm are rarely found.

Agriculture

The major product of agriculture in Milandhoo is plantain which is started in economic level on 2006. Now there are many farmlands in the island which ranges from 2,000 sq ft (190 m²) to 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m²) in sizes. Farmers get a good income by selling them to some islands of Shaviyani atoll and even Male’. Saddest thing about these farms are large and small trees are being cut for the farmlands thus leading to deforestation.

External links

• http://www.milandhoo.net/
• http://www.milandhooonline.com/
• http://www.milandhoolive.net
• http://milandhoozuvaanun.wordpress.com/
• http://midslive.com
• http://www.mym-mya.com