The Gaafu Alif Council has thanked the government for terminating the Odegalla resort development project in the atoll.

In a press release on Sunday, the council stated that it thanks the government for listening to the people.

The council highlighted the natural beauty of Gaafu Alif atoll and the government’s billion Rufiyaa investment to develop the atoll’s fishing industry, which the local community depends on.

Noting that a loss for the fishing industry would be a loss to both Gaafu Alif atoll residents and the government, the council stated that the Odegalla resort development project’s negative impact to the environment and fishing would have had severe repercussions to the locals.

Therefore, the council thanked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Tourism Minister Ali Waheed for listening to the people’s concern.

The Tourism Minister Waheed announced the project’s termination on Sunday, hours after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected the proposal for its potential negative impact on the local environment and fishing community.

During the announcement, Waheed noted that the ministry had received concerns from both the council and the people, over the project.