/PRNewswire/ — The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Maldives and Huawei have launched a new initiative to modernize the management of the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA). Through the implementation of basic field monitoring technologies and real-time communication tools, the Tech4Nature project aims to protect the population of the legendary whale sharks, while taking into account the socio-economic pressures inherent in a world-class tourist destination.
Photo: © Ishan @seefromthesky from Unsplash
As the largest marine protected area in the Maldives and a year-round gathering place for whale sharks (Rhinocondon typus) of global importance, SAMPA attracts thousands of visitors every year. Its vast area and numerous access points pose a serious logistical challenge to traditional monitoring methods. The Tech4Nature project responds to these needs by equipping rangers with a set of digital observation and reporting tools.
Strengthening field data collection and communication enables more effective patrols, facilitates tracking of interactions between tourists and protected species, and provides a robust, data-driven framework to support SAMPA’s pursuit of inclusion on the IUCN Green List. This significant strengthening of local operational capacity will ensure measurability and transparency of conservation actions, while supporting local livelihoods that depend on a healthy marine ecosystem.
The project in the Maldives is part of the broader Tech4Nature partnership, a global initiative launched in 2020, co-led by IUCN and Huawei as part of Huawei’s TECH4ALL digital inclusion program. Compliant with the IUCN Green List of Protected Areas standard, Tech4Nature shows how technology can support effective and equitable conservation. The project was officially launched at the prestigious closing ceremony of the Maldives Protected Areas Forum 2026.
As Tech4Nature’s first initiative in the Maldives, SAMPA is part of a broader global effort co-led by IUCN and Huawei to scale up the use of digital solutions in nature conservation. At SAMPA, the project aims to strengthen the balance between tourism and environmental protection by improving visitor traffic management, increasing regulatory compliance and supporting science-based decision-making.
During the implementation of the project, a special team of SAMPA guards will be equipped with the necessary monitoring and communication equipment that will improve patrols and enforcement on site. This will enable a quick response to unsafe or inconsistent activity, improve visitor safety and reduce harmful interactions with whale sharks. Improved monitoring will also increase overall compliance with protected area regulations and encourage more sustainable tourism practices consistent with SAMPA’s management and conservation objectives.
“Effective conservation begins with equipping rangers with the necessary tools for continuous field monitoring, which is the basis for better ecosystem management and governance. This is the first practical step to closing current operational gaps while applying the IUCN Green List standard, ensuring that SAMPA preserves its unique biodiversity and the local livelihoods that depend on it,” said Dr. Dindo Campilan, IUCN Regional Director for Asia and Director of the Center for Oceania.
In parallel with the implementation of activities on the ground, the project will include training for SAMPA rangers on the IUCN Green List standard – a globally recognized benchmark for effective, equitable and well-managed conservation. An initial assessment of SAMPA against the Green List will be carried out, providing a structured framework to identify strengths, gaps and priority actions for improving governance.
“The government remains committed to advancing nature conservation and strengthening institutional and management mechanisms for protected areas. It is important that we all strive to achieve this goal, guided by a common vision and shared responsibility,” said Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment.
“As the successful results of Tech4Nature projects since 2020 demonstrate, innovative technology solutions can help better understand and reduce threats to biodiversity and ecosystems, including marine ecosystems,” said Zhang Jinze, CEO of Huawei Sri Lanka. “In addition to technology, a key element of the Tech4Nature global partnership is the involvement of local partners and communities in the planning and implementation of projects to ensure the sustainability of the solutions.”
To date, the initiative has supported 11 core and side projects in multiple countries around the world, delivering tailored digital solutions to a variety of conservation challenges – from coral reef monitoring to wildlife conservation and ecosystem restoration.
About the entities:
Huawei: Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. It employs approximately 208,000. employees and operates in over 170 countries and regions, serving over three billion people around the world. Huawei is committed to making digital solutions accessible to all people, households and organizations in the pursuit of a fully connected, intelligent world.
IUCNis a member union bringing together both government and civil society organizations. IUCN brings together the experience, resources and reach of over 1,500 member organizations and the contributions of over 17,000 experts. The EU is the global authority on the state of the world’s nature and the actions needed to protect it.
Ministry of Tourism and Environment: The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is responsible for supervising the development and implementation of policies in the field of tourism, environment, climate change, water and sewage management, waste management, energy and climate change. The units subordinated to the ministry include, among others: the Environment Board, the Municipal Services Board, the Maldives Meteorological Service and the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve office.
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