A letter to Kulhudhuffushi Council: don't sacrifice the mangrove in the name of development

Ecocare, along with six other organizations, has appealed to the Kulhudhuffushi island council to stop the sacrifical reclamation of its mangrove.

Ecocare, Maldives Democracy Network (MDN), Blue Peace, Bee Leaf, Friends Aid, Voice of Women and Uthema's appeal comes after the government's decision to reclaim the Kulhudhuffushi mangrove area in order to build an airport; one of President Abdulla Yameen's campaign pledges in 2013.

In a letter sent to the council, the organizations said that the reclamation of the island's mangrove area will inflict irreversible environmental and economic losses. It noted that reclaiming the area is against Maldivian laws and regulations.

They noted that the reclamation work began against regulations, as the required time was not given for public opinion. According to regulations, 10 days should be given for public opinion, starting from the day the EIA report is publicized. Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim gave the green light for the projects just two days after the EIA report was released.

Noting that the mangrove area "is a national treasure," the letter said that the project "will inflict irreversible damages to Kulhudhuffushi, and islands nearby".

They highlighted that Kulhudhuffushi is a "high-risk zone" in case of natural disasters such as tsunami, and that its mangrove keeps it from flooding.

Furthermore, the organizations also expressed concern over actions of the Kulhudhuffushi island council, including its President speaking in a manner that indicated that destroying the mangrove is essential for the island's development.

The Kulhudhuffushi island had previously said that it has no say over the mangrove reclamation, but that it will not stop any projects that benefits and develops the island.