Addu council fined MVR 30m over environmental damage
EPA has imposed a total fine of MVR 30.8 million on Addu City Council for illegal activities in the area.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed a fine of MVR 30 million on Addu City Council for illegal activities in Addu Rujjehere area.
Addu City Council has been fined following a complaint received by the EPA regarding the felling of a large number of trees from the south shoreline of Hithadhoo and for dredging in the area.
EPA said in a statement on Tuesday that Addu City Council illegally razed from the area:
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17,818.09 square metres of land which was cleared
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1,712.26 m of sand was removed and water was pumped into it in the shape pf a heart
Under the regulations for the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), penalty for environmental damages and compensation:
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EPA has imposed a total fine of MVR 30.8 million on Addu City Council for illegal activities in the area
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The agency has been asked to pay the fine amount within 30 days, including public holidays
The Addu Rujjehere area was developed as a picnic zone in October 2021. It is learnt that the work is being carried out jointly by the council and a non-governmental organisation in the atoll, Friends Club, and a company called B-Tech.
