Olhuveli Beach & Spa, operated by Sun Siyam Resorts, has been fine over MVR 300,00 (three hundred thousand Rufiya).

The fine, levied by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was imposed on the resort for conducting operations that violate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report prepared for the island, as well as the concept approved by the Ministry of Tourism.

Hence, the resort was fined under article 16, sub-chapter 2 and 6, of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93), in addition to article 20 of the Regulation on the Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Report (2012/R-27)

EPA has granted the resort 30 days to pay the penalty that amounts to a total of MVR 313,250 (three hundred and thirteen thousand, two hundred and fifty rufiyaa).

The penalty was reportedly charged on Olhuveli for reclaiming part of the lagoon around the resort and constructing additional rooms in that area, in violation of the approved EIA report.