The controversy over the mass export of coconut palm trees from Maamigili island of Alif Dhaal atoll, has escalated.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, the island council revealed that a plot of land has been allocated to build a police station with the assistance of Villa Foundation Chairman and MP for Maamigili constituency Gasim Ibrahim, and that a large number of coconut palm trees in the area are being cut down and exported from the island.

However, the council stressed that the trees cannot be exported like that, and the trees on the specific plot of land should be relocated to another areas of the island. They also highlighted that the law does not allow for such actions, and if more than 10 palm trees are to be removed, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) needs to be conducted, which has not been done. The council also stated that they have not been consulted on this matter “at all”.

Regarding the issue, Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ibrahim Naeem, revealed that the matter of coconut palm trees being removed from Maamigili has come to their attention and that they are looking into the necessary aspects.

The foundation stone for the police station in Maamigili island, with the assistance of MP Qasim, was laid on 10 April 2025.