Airport talks reignite 'Save Fainu’ campaign
They believe that while there are few islands with unexploited natural beauty remaining, the airport project will destroy that beauty.
By
Aminath Shifleen
With the decision to build an airport in R.Fainu instead of Beriyanfaru in the atoll, some people have started raising their voices against it, bringing the ‘Save Fainu’ banner back.
The airport was first supposed to be built in Fainu, at the southernmost corner of the atoll. However, many people protested against the project to build a city hotel alongside a domestic airport.
Their biggest concern at the time was:
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Use of a large portion of the island for the implementation of the project; two-thirds of the island will be taken up in the project
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The island’s income is based on agriculture and the project takes away farmland
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The beauty of the island, which is known for its greenery and natural beauty, will be lost with the project
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Environmental groups also expressed concerns against the project
Some people sent petitions to the then Defense Minister Adam Shareef, who was a Fainu native, and the President's Office.
Eventually, the government changed and the MDP government decided to build an airport in Beriyanfaru in the atoll instead of Fainu.
The PPM/PNC government has once again decided to continue the Raa atoll domestic airport project in Fainu. With that, differences of opinion on the matter has risen and the calls of 'Save Fainu’ has made a come back again.
According to the protesters:
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It was a decision against the opinion of many
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They believe that while there are few islands with unexploited natural beauty remaining, the airport project will destroy that beauty
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed, who hails from Fainu, also objected to the move.
Waheed, who also previously led the 'Save Fainu’ campaign, said:
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Fainu does not have the landscape to make a runway that can accommodate the current ATR aircrafts
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He alleged that the purpose of building an airport in the island is to destroy the livelihoods of the people, relocate the islanders and sell the island once its been vacated
During the presidential election campaign, Dr Mohammed Muizzu had sought out the people’s opinion on the matter when he visited the atoll. At that time, the biggest wish of the people of Inguraidhoo was to build an airport in Fainu, but many of the other islands wanted to continue the project in Beriyanfaru.
Building an airport in Fainu is a promise of Muizzu.
With the decision to build an airport in Fainu, some people are also talking in support of it on social media. They believe that the project will benefit the people of Fainu as well as the entire atoll.
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