President Muizzu has twice pledged to resolve the coastal erosion issues at Kendhikulhudhoo's beach area, yet not a single action has been taken to date!

The Vice President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Council, Hassan Mohamed, has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has failed to address the severe erosion of the island's beach area, despite pledging to resolve the issue on two separate occasions.

Coastal erosion has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges currently facing the island of Kendhikulhudhoo. This environmental crisis has resulted in the loss of significant land area and continues to severely degrade the island's natural beauty and resources. The administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has twice pledged to address and resolve this critical issue.

Speaking to RaajjeMV regarding the matter, the Vice President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Council, Hassan Mohamed, stated that President Muizzu had pledged to protect the coastal area of the island during his presidential campaign. He noted that the President had met with the council on two separate occasions and discussed the issue during those meetings. Furthermore, Hassan mentioned that the council received a letter from the President's Office inquiring about the three primary priorities or concerns of the island's residents.

We have held meetings with the heads of various institutions and shared information with the local community. Everyone is in agreement with the council’s view that the reef edge must be protected. Consequently, out of our three main priorities, the protection of the reef edge remains at the top of our list. Preserving this area is essential to safeguarding our natural beauty and the unique channels we possess. Without this protection, we will be unable to preserve the island’s natural heritage and its beautiful channels for future generations. In line with this commitment, we have formally communicated this request on three separate occasions to the President of the Maldives, the President’s Office, and the Ministry of Environment.

Hassan Mohamed, Vice President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Island Council

Hassan stated that the large sandbank on the western side of the island shifts during the windy season due to coastal erosion. He explained that this movement causes sand to flow into the mangroves, leading to further erosion on the western coastline. Furthermore, he noted that various plant species thriving within the mangrove ecosystem are being lost as a result of these environmental changes.

Hassan stated that the mangroves are dying due to increased salinity levels in the river, as the saltwater concentration has surpassed the presence of fresh water.

In the event of such a crisis, the residents of Kendhikulhudhoo have access to a wealth of natural food resources growing near the mangroves. However, these resources are now being depleted. Discussions have been held with the Ministry of Environment, whose primary concern is also the ongoing destruction of the natural ecosystem. While the Ministry has been working diligently on this issue, a viable solution has yet to be found.

The Vice President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Island Council, Hassan Mohamed.

Hassan stated that protecting the mangroves and addressing the issue of island erosion is beyond the council's capacity and is a responsibility that must be undertaken by the central government. He noted that while President Muizzu has pledged to address these concerns, there is no clear timeline for when the work will commence. Furthermore, he alleged that the government secures international funding by showcasing the mangroves of Kendhikulhudhoo and other islands, yet the allocation and utilization of these funds remain unclear. Hassan also highlighted that the council has been denied permission to carry out any independent work. He criticized the government for seeking funds under the guise of environmental protection while failing to take action as the island continues to deteriorate.