Maldives collected USD 84.31 million in green tax revenue during the first seven months of the year, recording an increase compared with the same period last year, according to the latest figures released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Statistics in MIRA's July revenue report show that green tax collections from January through July rose by 5.8 percent from USD 77.82 million during the corresponding period last year.

Dollar-denominated government revenue also increased over the seven-month period.

Total receipts collected in U.S. Dollars reached approximately USD 88 million, representing a 5.8 percent increase compared with USD 83 million recorded during the same period in the previous year.

The green tax was introduced in October 2016 to generate funding for environmental protection and conservation initiatives across the Maldives.

The levy applies to tourists staying at resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and safari vessels.

Under the current rates, visitors staying at resorts, hotels, and safari vessels are charged USD 12 per day, while tourists staying in local guesthouses pay USD 6 per day.

Children below the age of two are exempt from the tax.

Revenue generated through the green tax is allocated to environmental projects and infrastructure development across the country's islands.

These initiatives include coastal protection, environmental conservation and clean-up programs, as well as water, sewerage, and sustainable drinking water projects.

The continued increase in green tax collections reflects the important contribution of the tourism sector to funding environmental and climate-related initiatives in the Maldives.