It’s not only Hogmanay (31 December) that gives Scots an excuse for a party; Burns Night (25 January) is traditionally the time each year when Scotland’s Bard, Robert Burns, is celebrated on the anniversary of his birth. Scotland is host to many events to mark the occasion, from music as well as a traditional ceilidh. Revellers can top the night off with a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties and a dram of whisky. After enjoying the food, Scotland fans can then follow in the Bard’s footsteps across Scotland, including his birthplace, Alloway in Ayrshire – home to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – and Dumfries, which is home to places such as Ellisland Farm (built by Robert Burns as his home in 1788) and the Globe Inn pub (established in 1610 and regularly frequented by Burns and home to some fascinating memorabilia).
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY SIGNS MOU WITH CROSSROADS MALDIVES BY S HOTELS AND RESORTS
27.12.2023 - 08:03 / breakingtravelnews.com
S Hotels and Resorts PCL, the international hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maldives’ Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy to preserve this idyllic island nation’s natural environment, share knowledge about the importance of conservation, and support CROSSROADS Maldives’ rich marine biodiversity in an area covering 3.15km² – about 31% of the total project size – as part of an Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) programme.
Under the theme “Empower Minds, Foster Growth,” a major ceremony was staged at CROSSROADS Maldives. It was attended by senior dignitaries from the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy, including Honourable Deputy Minister Hassan Mohamed, Permanent Secretary Mr. Ajwadh Mustafa, and Director Mr Muhusina Abdul Rahman, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Education, and the Maldives Marine Research Institute. They were joined by senior executives from S Hotels & Resorts, including CEO Mr. Michael Marshall and marine scientist Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, the project leader, along with 20 students from various schools across the archipelago.
The MoU will see S Hotels & Resorts play a key role in achieving the shared environmental objectives of S Hotels & Resorts and the Maldivian Government, including knowledge sharing, capacity building and support of OECMs – a conservation approach outside official protected zones. At the heart of this programme will be the Marine Discovery Centre, CROSSROADS Maldives’ innovative environmental and educational hub which features a state-of-the-art laboratory and undertakes critical projects such as coral propagation and breeding & release programmes for endangered species, and the Maldives Discovery Centre, which strives to protect the rich history, culture and arts & crafts that define the cultural identity of the Maldivian people.
Education is a key aspect of this MoU, and the 20 students invited to the signing ceremony were also given the opportunity to visit these pioneering conservation and heritage centres, where the programme was officially launched with information about coral restoration, biodiversity and culture. Future campaigns will be aimed at spreading knowledge among a wider range of social groups and ages, from children to seniors, including efforts to help communities better understand the ecosystem and how they interact with it.
This marks the latest phase in CROSSROADS Maldives’ partnerships with local schools. Since its inception in 2019, this integrated resort has invited more than 1,800 students from neighbouring islands to learn about conservation.
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