Thoriq says tree removal sometimes required for development

Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim on Tuesday said development projects may require the removal of trees, adding that efforts are made to reduce environmental impact.

He made the remarks in response to questions from journalists regarding the removal of mature trees along Boduthakurufaanu Magu as part of the ongoing road reconstruction project.

Thoriq said development activities can result in environmental effects and that the government is working to address these through mitigation measures. He referred to the government’s five million tree-planting programme and said the number of trees planted would exceed the number removed.

“In development projects, there will be tree removal. If a tree is located in the middle of a road, it has to be removed. In some cases, trees can be relocated. In other cases, they must be cut,” he said.

He added that certain projects cannot proceed while retaining trees in their existing locations and that removal becomes necessary. While some trees can be replanted elsewhere, he said others do not survive relocation.

Responding to questions about the decision to remove two protected banyan trees in Villimalé, Thoriq said efforts were made to find alternatives to cutting them down.

“I personally visited the site about ten years ago to assess possible options,” he said, adding that the trees had caused damage to nearby houses over a long period.

He said measures such as trimming and root cutting did not resolve the issue. In situations where residents are affected, he said, a solution has to be found.

Thoriq also acknowledged that some trees planted under the five million tree-planting programme have not survived and that some saplings were uprooted. He said smaller trees are also planted as part of the programme and can grow over time.