by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Wed April 25, 2018
It's no secret that Maldives is legendary for its beauty.
With more than 1,000 coral islands, stunning beaches, extensive coral reefs and blue lagoons, the tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean attracted 1.5 million visitors in 2016.
Now, the tiny nation is seeking to give travelers yet another reason to visit. It is currently putting the finishing touches on nature parks designed to promote eco-tourism, according to an article in Maldives Times.
Located in the southernmost atolls, the parks are slated to open in June and will include protected areas for hiking, bicycling, mangrove canoe tours, snorkeling and reef diving.
There will also be visitor centers and boardwalks located in Fuvuhmulah's Eydhigali Kilhi and Addu's Koattey.
The boardwalks have been designed to offer visitors access to wetlands and plants that are typically hard to observe, according to Maldives Times.
The Maldives is, in many ways, seen as being on the front lines when it comes to climate change and protecting the environment. The nation has been impacted by rising sea levels, coral bleaching and more.
The country made headlines in 2008 when its president announced plans to buy land elsewhere so the population could be relocated in the face of sea level rise.
Nevertheless, the country's tourism officials have high hopes for the parks. They're seeking to create "a new brand for protected area management that brings together the management authority, community, private sector and various stakeholder groups."
Creation of the new eco-parks is part of a $4.2 million Climate Change Adaptation Project. Kicked-off in 2015, the project includes support from around the world, including such high-profile organizations as the World Bank, the European Union and the Australian Agency for International Development.
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