At Angsana Velavaru, an all-inclusive luxury resort in the virtually untouched South Nilandeh Atoll, sustainability and cultural preservation are woven into everyday life. Driven by passion and dedication, the resort’s journey began with a simple, yet profound question: “What would happen if dried coconut leaves were given new life? Could they bring new purpose to the local community?”
Angsana Velavaru, part of the Banyan Group and an independent, purposeful global hospitality company, is respecting Maldivian traditions and protecting the environment by embarking on a unique initiative, “The Life Cycle of a Coconut Leaf”. This starts with planting coconut trees on the resort and regularly pruning their leaves. The resort partners with the local community to transform discarded leaves into beautiful thatched roofs called kajang.
Guided by the group’s philosophy of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering the People”, the cycle begins with lush coconut palms that bring shade and beauty to the resort. As the leaves die naturally, they turn brown and become a potential resource rather than waste. Skilled climbers carefully harvest the dead leaves, encouraging new growth and maintaining the health of the trees. Once collected, the leaves are stored until they dry and harden, ready for traditional weaving. Local artisans collect the old leaves and transform them into functional kajang roofing materials. The resort purchases the processed leaves, supporting local artisans and preserving traditional techniques. The kajangs are delivered to the resort with the quintessence of Maldivian craftsmanship. Thatched panels are installed on the villa roofs, blending tradition with natural beauty. Old thatched roofs are carefully removed for reuse, minimizing waste. The removed kajangs are composted, enriching the soil with nutrient-rich organic matter. The compost is used to plant new coconut palms, completing the cycle of regeneration. Through this work, we create a regenerative cycle that supports local communities, preserves cultural practices and nurtures the environment.
Nominated for the Most Sustainable Resort category at Travel Trade Maldives 2024 and Leading Eco-Friendly Hotel/Resort category at South Asia Travel Awards 2024, Angsana Velavaru has emerged as a pioneer demonstrating an unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Through marine talks, citizen science snorkelling, coral planting, house reef cleanups and more, the resort’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, conserve natural resources and protect the Maldives’ biodiversity are exemplary and set the standard in responsible tourism.
In July 2023, the Green Sustainability Team, comprised of dedicated employees from various departments at the resort, launched the “SustainLinen Tote Bag with Purpose” initiative. The program aimed to reduce plastic waste and provided resort employees with eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic bags. By September 2023, the initiative was expanded to the nearby community and guests.
In April 2024, the resort took this initiative a step further by transforming broken umbrellas into stylish and durable tote bags, an innovative step that highlights its commitment to sustainability and shows that even unexpected items can be transformed and given new life.
