Hathifushi (Haa Alif Atoll) Explained

Hathifushi
Native Name Lang:dv
Settlement Type:uninhabited island
Pushpin Map:Maldives
Pushpin Relief:y
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Label Position:right
Coordinates:7.02°N 72.8303°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Maldives
Subdivision Type1:Geographic atoll
Subdivision Type2:Administrative atoll
Subdivision Name2:Haa Alif Atoll
Subdivision Type3:Distance to Malé
Subdivision Name3:322.37km (200.31miles)
Seat Type:Capital
Parts Type:Geographic atolls
Parts Style:list
Leader Title:Council
Leader Title3:Mayor
Leader Title4:Island Chief
Unit Pref:Metric
Length Km:0.270
Width Km:0.170
Population Total:260
Population Density Km2:auto
Utc Offset:+05:00
Postal Code Type:Assigned Letter
Postal2 Code Type:Assigned Letter
Area Code Type:Area code(s)
Blank Name Sec2:Number of Islands
Blank1 Name Sec2:Inhabited
Blank2 Name Sec2:Uninhabited
Blank3 Name Sec2:Total

Hathifushi (Dhivehi: ހަތިފުށި) was one of the inhabited islands of Haa Alif Atoll and is geographically part of the Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the Maldives. It was abandoned in 2007 by its resident community of 295 residents following storm surges. This community had been requesting relocation for decades prior.[1]

Hathifushi people now live in the island of Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu atoll. Before the relocation, Hathifushi was one of the non-smoking islands of the Maldives with the island chief levying a fine of Rf5,000 (approx. US$400) on any person if proven to commit an act of smoking. The other non-smoking islands of Maldives are Berinmadhoo, Nolhivaranfaru, and Madifushi.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Filho . Walter Leal . Climate Change Adaptation in Pacific Countries . 2017 . Springer Nature . 978-3-319-50093-5 . 2–3 . 5 June 2019.