President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday inaugurated a mega-project for land reclamation in Addu city.
An investment of MVR 1.5 billion was allocated for the project aimed at expanding the land area of the southern city by 190 hectares.
According to the president’s office, an additional investment of MVR 179 million is planned to add 42 hectares of land to Hulhumeedhoo Island.
The project is financed through a loan from India Exim Bank and has to be completed within 18 months.
Under the project, land will be added to inhabited areas and three new islands will be created in the lagoon for resort development.
The areas to be reclaimed in Addu:
- Hithadhoo - 50 hectares and 40 hectares
- Maradhoo Feydhoo - 76 hectares
- Three new islands for resort development - 8.3 hectares each
- Link road development - 3.3 hectares
The planning ministry has relocated 70,000 coral colonies from the areas to be reclaimed. The project will be carried out by the Dutch company Van Oord.
Major environmental concerns
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project showed that reclamation could impact underwater habitats and marine animals.
It also highlighted that the project could negatively impact three protected areas in Addu - Manta Point, Kuda Kandu and Shipwreck.
Environmental groups and other civil organisations have been campaigning to stop the project and called on the government to reconsider the development.
They have questioned how tourism can be promoted in Addu city if the marine animals and their habitats are destroyed.
The government promised to conduct environmental monitoring during all stages of the project and Van Oord pledged to take steps to reduce the impact on the environment.
