Meet Nafha Asim, Senior Technical Expert for Project PROMISE; funded by the European Union Switch Asia Grants program. Nafha is an environmental conservationist and marine scientist and is delivering her expertise while working closely with the island communities including local government authorities and tourism enterprises. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and is a trained Marine Scientist and Conservation expert. Nafha is also qualified as a PADI Rescue Diver and currently training as a PADI Divemaster along with gaining her EIA license.

Nafha used to work with Six Senses Laamu Resort as a Marine Biologist where she engaged and conducted scientific research activities with experts in the field. She also worked for Blue Marine Foundation and Maldives Resilient Reefs Project during this period where she helped to establish the Maldives’ first-ever Sustainable Reef Fishery Program called “Laamaseelu Masveriya – Exemplary Fishermen” which is currently supporting research activities for protected areas in Laamu Atoll. Also, she supported the delivery of BLUE’s education and capacity-building programs for schools, resorts, councils, and other organizations in the Maldives.

She has an extensive wealth of information and experience from her previous role as Sustainability Coordinator for Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru Resort where she was responsible for oversight of all sustainability and CSR programs under Banyan Tree in the Maldives. During her time at Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, she was also working for the Marine Lab of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru where she has assisted in many conservation and research activities carried out in the Maldives with over 7 international publications. She not only managed community grants and projects but also taught over 100+ girls and women to snorkel/swim/free dive. Nafha is a licensed auditor for EarthCheck and has worked with other governmental and international organizations such as MMRI, Manta Trust, Olive Ridley Project, IUCN, and UNDP.