Malé City Council has expressed concern over the cutting down of decade old trees, as part of the government’s expansion project of the capital’s outer road, Boduthakurufaanu Magu.

At a press conference held on Thursday, deputy mayor Shamau Shareef noted that the trees are being cut down, as part of the preparation for the opening of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, ‘without any discussions with the people’. He also noted that those involved with the project had also failed to hold any discussions with the council members, elected by the people as their representatives.

Shamau noted that they have since found out that ‘there is no environmental impact report for the project,’ adding that they have requested to meet with officials from the housing ministry and Environment Protection Agency.

“Trees are very important, especially to such a city with so many vehicles. We strongly condemn this, and call on all relevant authorities to ensure the best and safest practices in conducting such projects,” he said.

Also speaking at the press conference, Villimalé council member Hamna Waheed noted that the government is conducting a similar project in the island’s northern area, where they are cutting down trees. Noting that details of the said project have not been shared, Hamna said that the people must be informed of such things.

According to local regulations, ‘paving and expansion of roads can only be done after an impact assessment report has been submitted to the Environment Protection Agency’. However, citing top Environment Protection Agency officials, media outlets report that they were ‘prevented from warning the housing ministry to stop the ongoing ring road work’.

NGO ECOCARE Maldives, who highlights that ‘no environmental safeguards were in place or considered’ prior to commencing the project, has called on all relevant insitutions “to make an intervention and bring an end to these environmental misdoings and crimes’.