The government and the Malé City Council have launched a tree plantation programme for the ring road encircling the capital. 

The city council says a total of 3,000 individual trees will be planted under the programme inaugrated on Sunday. 

The government has launched a national tree plantation programme, called 'Rah Fehi'. 

Trees planted and maintained along the ring road for decades were removed for reconstruction of the road, which was reopened after a year in late 2018, weeks before a national presidential election. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has said that the project was carried out despite its warning of long-lasting impact. 

A three-page report ordering the Housing Ministry to stop the project was impeded by the Environment Ministry, the agency has said.