Muraka Farm develops community-based coral restoration and conservation initiatives shaped by the needs of each reef, island and partner.
Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll
Dhirun is Muraka Farm's flagship community-based coral reef restoration programme in Dharavandhoo, combining coral nurseries, Muraka frames, monitoring, environmental education and local capacity building.
Lead: Muraka Farm
Collaboration: Soneva Conservation & Sustainability Maldives
Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll
A Muraka Farm coral restoration project supported through the Bank of Maldives inaugural Bank Fund, created to safeguard marine biodiversity and promote sustainable livelihoods in Dharavandhoo.
Lead: Muraka Farm
Funding partner: Bank of Maldives
Bank Fund award: MVR 200,000
The Dharavandhoo Muraka Project was developed by Muraka Farm to restore damaged areas of Dharavandhoo’s house reef through coral frames, coral planting, relocation, monitoring and continued maintenance. Supported through the Bank of Maldives inaugural Bank Fund, the project combines practical reef restoration with community participation, environmental awareness and long-term local care.
The original project plan focused on the western house reef of Dharavandhoo. It proposed creating a connected underwater coral garden and snorkelling trail designed to support reef recovery, provide habitat for marine life and help residents and visitors experience the importance of a healthy reef.
Support the recovery of damaged reef areas by installing stable coral structures and planting suitable coral fragments.
Create stable structures that can support coral growth, offer refuge for reef fish and contribute to marine life around the natural reef.
Encourage local youth, swimmers, snorkellers, guesthouse visitors and the wider community to understand and participate in protecting Dharavandhoo’s marine environment.
The project followed a structured restoration process extending beyond coral planting. Site preparation, frame production, coral attachment, installation, monitoring and maintenance were included in the original implementation plan.
Gather information, consult technical specialists and survey the house reef to identify appropriate restoration locations and environmental conditions.
Design and fabricate low-profile, coated-steel coral frames that provide a stable foundation in damaged or coral-rubble areas.
Attach suitable coral fragments to prepared frames and install the structures at the selected restoration site.
Provide appropriate care for young corals and undertake coral relocation or replanting where required and officially permitted.
Continue observing coral survival, health and growth after installation. Monitoring and reporting help identify maintenance needs and guide future restoration decisions.
The following stages describe the original implementation structure rather than a current project schedule.
Muraka Farm developed and led the Dharavandhoo coral restoration project, including local coordination, restoration activities and long-term reef-care planning.
Bank of Maldives selected Muraka Farm as a recipient of its inaugural Bank Fund and awarded MVR 200,000 to support the Dharavandhoo coral restoration project.
Bank of Maldives reported that the Muraka Restoration Project was successfully completed during April–June 2025.
ދިރުން
Growth · Life · A reef restored by its community
Dhirun is Muraka Farm’s flagship community-based coral reef restoration programme in Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll. It brings coral restoration, environmental education, practical training and long-term local stewardship together in one connected programme.
Rather than treating restoration as a single planting activity, Dhirun follows the complete restoration journey—from community engagement and practical training to nursery development, coral outplanting, monitoring and continued reef care.
Local leadership connects practical restoration with long-term reef stewardship.
The collaboration brings together community participation, conservation experience and a shared commitment to long-term reef restoration.
Liquid Salt Divers provides diving equipment for Dhirun monitoring sessions, supporting regular in-water reef monitoring and follow-up work.
Restoration begins by bringing people together.
Dhirun introduces the programme to the Dharavandhoo community, schools, local organisations, volunteers and relevant stakeholders. This phase builds understanding of local reef threats, creates opportunities for participation and develops the shared ownership required for long-term restoration.
Turning reef awareness into practical local skills.
This phase trains local youth, students, volunteers and community members in coral reef ecology and practical restoration. Participants learn about reef threats, coral nurseries, coral husbandry, fragment attachment, restoration methods, field safety, documentation and long-term monitoring.
Moving from training to active reef restoration.
This phase establishes and develops Dhirun’s coral nursery and restoration site. Suitable naturally broken coral fragments and corals obtained from approved donor locations are attached to nursery systems and Muraka frames, cared for and later transferred to degraded reef areas where appropriate.
Phase 03 photographs will be added here.
Phase 03 videos will be added here.
Planting is the beginning—not the end.
Dhirun continues after corals enter the nursery or restoration site. The monitoring team observes coral survival, growth and health while identifying bleaching, disease, damage and maintenance needs. Repeat photographs and field observations build a long-term record that helps guide future restoration decisions.
Phase 04 photographs will be added here.
Phase 04 videos will be added here.
Home of Muraka Farm and Dhirun's flagship restoration site.
