Vihamanafushi, Republic of Maldives -- (SBWire) -- 10/03/2011 --Kurumba Maldives (http://www.kurumba.com/) has added weekly educational presentations for its guests, given by marine biologist Verena Wiesbauer Ali. The lectures, themed “Beauty & Diversity of the Maldive Islands” and “Structure and Ecology of the Maldive Islands”, are conducted free of charge alternately every Monday evening. The two lectures are aimed at creating awareness among resort guests and staff and will ideally sensitise the audience and teach how to swim, snorkel and dive in a sustainable manner.
“Beauty & Diversity of the Maldive Islands” was the first presentation that commenced on 25th July 2011. It takes the audience on a visual journey below the sea surface and dives with it into the visible and hidden world of marine creatures; starting from the most primitive invertebrates and ending with the predators of the oceans. Resort guests and staff will get a new perspective on animal diversity and the adaptations to marine life that surrounds our islands.
The second presentation, “Structure & Ecology of the Maldive Islands” begins with a journey through the geological history of the Maldivian Atolls and islands. It teaches about the current status of coral reefs, their threats and how everyone can contribute to their conservation. Besides interesting facts about artificial islands, the terrestrial fauna and flora are covered in this lecture too. Questions like “What actually is a coral?” and “How do corals reproduce?” will be answered here.
Kurumba Maldives (http://www.kurumba.com/) has already provided four lectures to date and received very positive feed-back from its guests. Verena welcomes the audience to pose questions, browse through scientific literature and learn more about some of the marine specimen that are displayed on a table after every presentation.
About the marine biologist: Verena Wiesbauer Ali
Inspired by her lecturer Dr. Reinhard Kikinger (EcoCentre Kuramathi and University of Vienna), Verena Wiesbauer Ali started working in the Maldives in 2007 as the first resident marine biologist on Huvafen Fushi resort. She introduced guided snorkeling lessons and awareness presentations for guests, but her main work focused on the establishment of a coral nursery and an artificial coral reef around the world's first Underwater Spa. This project was part of her MSc. thesis, which she completed in 2008 at the University of Vienna, Austria. She then moved back to the Maldives and worked for a local environmental consultancy firm with a team of environmental surveyors.
In 2010, she became a licensed Environmental Impact Assessment consultant and is now engaged in various projects in the Maldives, besides giving awareness lectures to local students and the general public. Since the combination of tourism and marine biology is her passion, she started working with the team of Kurumba Maldives in July 2011.
About Kurumba Maldives
Kurumba Maldives is set on a tropical island in the North Male’ atoll, conveniently situated a brief 10 minute speed boat ride from the airport. Dotted with coconut trees that are the island’s namesake, Kurumba was the first private island resort in the Maldives. Lush tropical gardens, white sandy beaches and a vibrant house reef are the hallmarks of this classic Maldivian resort.
The resort offers an array of eight styles of accommodation, ranging from comfortable Superior rooms to the spacious Royal Residence (http://www.kurumba.com/acc-royal.html), spread amongst the island’s lush tropical gardens with easy access to the beach. With nine different restaurants to choose from Kurumba Maldives will charm you with its unparallel choice of dining experience and a wide range of recreation activities and entertainment. All while maintaining idyllic refuges and quiet spaces of relaxation to create the perfect balance for a holiday in paradise, perfect for honeymooners and family alike.
Kurumba Maldives Commences Weekly Marine Biology Presentations