The local government council of Lhaimagu island in Shaviyani atoll has refuted claims that residents have been cutting down palm trees there.

Abdul Ghani Ibrahim, the president of the council, told RaajjeMV that the claims that they have been illicitly clearing palm trees in the island are false.

Ibrahim said that there is an ongoing government project to develop a waste management site and that land for this purpose is being cleared.

While palm trees in the area are to be cut down, Ibrahim said that the project is being managed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Though the ministry is managing the project, the council has been assigned with carrying it out.

Ibrahim said that any clearance of vegetation has been fully authorized and that the council actively avoids unnecessary harm to the environment.