Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, a leading advocate of sustainable luxury in the Maldives, has recently unveiled its state-of-the-art Eco-Centre. This remarkable facility results from a complete renovation of the island’s previous structure and houses extensive recycling and composting facilities, along with the upcoming ‘Gili Veshi’ Marine Biology Shack scheduled to open later this year.

Jocelyn Panjikaran, Gili Lankanfushi’s resident Marine Biologist and Sustainability Manager, expressed immense pride in the new Eco-Centre. She emphasized the resort’s commitment to preserving the natural beauty and ecosystems of the islands, highlighting their dedication to reducing environmental impact. The Eco-Centre, combined with various sustainability initiatives that actively engage guests, plays a vital role in the resort’s efforts to contribute to the planet’s well-being.

The newly introduced Eco-Centre boasts several impressive features. It includes a food composter that efficiently processes food and garden waste, generating compost to fertilize the resort’s Organic Garden. This garden cultivates a selection of herbs, vegetables, and lettuce used in the renowned plant-based menu created by Chef Harinath Govindaraj. Additionally, the center houses a glass-crushing machine that transforms glass waste into construction materials, while a compacting machine compresses tin and aluminum for recycling. Guests can actively participate in these sustainability initiatives through various local handicraft workshops, creating unique souvenirs with lasting memories long after their departure.

Sustainability lies at the core of Gili Lankanfushi’s vision, strongly emphasizing preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem, and leaving behind the minimal impact. The resort’s dedicated marine biology team plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, diligently monitoring the health and biodiversity of the surrounding coral reef ecosystems. They measure light intensity and sea surface temperature, track manta rays and turtle populations, remove invasive Crown of Thorns starfish and educate guests about the wonders of the underwater world through informative lectures and guided snorkeling trips.

Among Gili Lankanfushi’s notable conservation projects is the Coral Lines initiative. This project provides a nurturing environment for the growth of new corals, bolstering the house reef while closely monitoring the health and survival rates of various coral genotypes. Guests have the extraordinary opportunity to participate in this renowned project, where they can learn about coral reef restoration and rehabilitation, visit the coral nursery suspended on ropes, and even adopt their coral.

The commitment to sustainability extends to the resort’s infrastructure as well. All buildings use sustainably sourced materials such as plantation teak, palm wood, bamboo, and recycled telegraph poles. All guest rooms provide organic toiletries in refillable earthenware containers to minimize plastic waste. The island’s dedicated desalination plant ensures the availability of glass bottles filled with still and sparkling water for all guests.

Gili Lankanfushi goes beyond these initiatives with additional sustainability measures. They actively protect and replenish sea grasses, known as the “lungs of the sea.” Collaborating with organizations like the Manta Trust and the Olive Ridley Project, the resort works to safeguard manta rays and rescue injured sea turtles. It also implements recycling initiatives to reduce plastic usage and eliminate single-use plastics from neighboring islands. The resort ensures that all fish served is caught using sustainable methods and sourced from local islands. Furthermore, sustainable living training is provided to all staff, promoting a culture of environmental responsibility.

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives sets an inspiring example of how sustainable practices coexist harmoniously with luxurious experiences. By prioritizing sustainability, conservation, and education, the resort creates an unforgettable guest experience while safeguarding the natural wonders of the Maldives for generations to come.