High Court issues injunction on Gulhifalhu dredging over environmental concerns
The country's first appellate court overturned the lower court's decision to reject the injunction saying that if the case drags on, the damage to the environme
Summary
The country's first appellate court overturned the lower court's decision to reject the injunction saying that if the case drags on, the damage to the environment from the dredging would be irrevocable.
High Court on Wednesday issued a temporary injunction to halt the dredging of K. Gulhifalhu, a lagoon near the capital Male.
The reclamation of Gulhifalhu began in June 2020, which is part of the previous government's housing scheme to award land plots for residents of Male city.
A local environmental activist had filed lawsuit with the civil court claiming that the dredging of Gulhifalhu was causing irrevocable damage to the environment. She had also sought a temporary injunction which was denied by the lower court.
The country's first appellate court overturned the lower court's decision to reject the injunction saying that if the case drags on, the damage to the environment from the dredging would be irrevocable.
The High Court had also considered the damage to the surrounding reefs and marine life which it said could last generations.
