Since 1993, our environmental laws have contained a number of general themes. Dominant among these is the notion of protection and preservation, which is now the main notion for management of land and marine resources, flora and fauna, beaches, reefs and natural habitats in the Maldives.

The Environmental Protection and Preservation Act 1993 is the foundation of Maldives' environmental law. It sets out how we manage our environment, including Waste Disposal, Oil and Poisonous Substances, Hazardous/ Toxic or Nuclear Wastes, Protected Areas and Natural Reserves and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

Resource management is currently effected through sector specific laws including Fisheries Laws, The Tourism Act of Maldives 1999, and Maritime Law of the Maldives. These might be referred to appropriate Government Ministries.

The Environmental Protection and Preservation Act 1993 administered by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water and the Government policy under the Act requires that developers an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Maldives has obligations under Multilateral Environmental Treaties which may affect our laws. The multilateral environmental treaty is the main method available under international law for countries to work together on global environmental issues. Maldives also have some obligations under the following declarations and programs for actions.

The 1992 Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

The 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States

The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development agreed on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation .

The 2003 Mauritius Strategy for Implementation