The Tourism Ministry has ordered a halt on the Baa Atoll Innfaushi resort development project.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Tourism Minister Ali Waheed said that Innafushi was leased after opening the project up for proposals, and that it was not related to Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

The project was awarded to Seamarc Pvt Ltd in August 2017 and the construction period’s deadline is in August 2019. Minister Waheed said that the reclamation work in the island has not yet begun.

He also said that Innafushi’s atoll has a unique natural beauty and that the ministry has refused requests to extend the construction period.

He added that the government is focusing on sustainable tourism development to protect the environment.