Protest held against govt's plans to reclaim Kulhudhuffushi mangrove

A peaceful gathering was held in front the Ministry of Environment and Energy on Thursday morning, against the government's plans to reclaim the Kulhudhuffushi mangrove to pave way for an airport.

Participants included members of civil society, environmentalists and concerned citizens, who describe the project as 'a grave environmental injustice'.

Noting that this will have negative impact in the future, the group emphasized the importance of protecting the mangrove; according to environmental groups, the mangrove is home to endangered species, as well serves "as a natural defence system by collecting draining water".

Noting that they are yet to get a response from the ministry, the participants said that they have requested to meet with Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim.

According to the group, 11 police officers -including six specialist operations officers- arrived at the scene in two police vehicles, to ask them "to leave".

While the development of the Kulhudhuffushi airport was a campaign pledge of incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, the government's plans to reclaim the island's mangrove- the largest in the country- was met with criticism from islanders, environmentalists and the opposition.

Kulhudhuffushi island council has said that it has no say over the government's plans.

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the project will have "lasting damage," and that it is "undesirable from a purely environmental perspective".

Despite the concerns, the government intends to move forward with the reclamation project, and the special dredger "Mahaa Jarraafu" had docked near Kulhudhuffushi on Wednesday. President Yameen will head there to inaugurate the project, according to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).