Kulhudhuffushi mayor opposes plan to move Thilafushi fire waste to Kunburudhoo
WAMCO has said that work to remove waste affected by the fire and transport it to the waste management facility in Kunburudhoo is to begin on Wednesday.
Kulhudhuffushi Mayor Mohamed Athif has raised concerns over plans to transport burnt waste from the recent fire at the Regional Waste Management Facility in K. Thilafushi to Hdh. Kunburudhoo.
Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) informed several media outlets on Tuesday that work to remove waste affected by the fire and transport it to the waste management facility in Kunburudhoo is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
Athif said he opposed the decision, arguing that the waste should not be transported to Kunburudhoo.
In a post on social media, he noted that land reclamation projects are currently under way in areas around Malé, including Gulhifalhu, Uthuru Thilafalhu, Hulhumalé Phase III and Fushidhiggaru Falhu, using public funds.
He said it was not appropriate to transport waste from the Greater Malé area to an island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, which has a limited number of uninhabited islands.
Athif also said that, in his view, even waste generated within the northern region should not be accumulated on Kunburudhoo.
His post, shared with the hashtag #OpposeTurningHdhIntoADump, drew support from a number of residents of the atoll.
Several commenters expressed concern over the proposal, arguing that the atoll had not seen the development of a resort despite discussions over many years, but was being selected as a site for waste disposal.
One commenter suggested that the waste should instead be disposed of in Ras Malé, arguing that it would be a more practical option.
Kunburudhoo, a formerly inhabited island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is currently designated as an uninhabited island and is used for the disposal of waste generated within the region.
