Milandhoo

Milandhoo (Dhivehi: ޫ‫ނދ‬ް ަ‫ )މިލ‬is one of the inhabited islands of the

Shaviyani Atoll administrative division and geographically part of the
Miladhummadulhu Atoll in the Maldives.

On 26th 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 20th March 2005. The
islanding 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 while breadth is not less than 250 ft. Maximum depth is reported
to be 5ft.

Main species in the lake are shrimps and prawns. They are transparent
and largest of these fishes are of 1.5 inches. 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 2000 sq ft to 12000 sq ft 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.

Construction