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Addu Mayor Ali Nizar and Deputy Mayor Mohamed Shuau inspect the construction of the Picnic Island in November 2021. Photo/Addu City Council

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.

31 January 2023

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:

  • 17,818.09 square metres of land which was cleared

  • 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:

  • EPA has imposed a total fine of MVR 30.8 million on Addu City Council for illegal activities in the area

  • 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.

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