Ali Bey Maldives, operator of the Joali resort in Raa Muravandhoo, has been fined for beginning coral propagation work without completing the environment impact assessment (EIA) process.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) fined Joali resort MVR 20,000 under appendix W of the EIA regulations with reference to section 20(a).
The EPA imposed the fine last Wednesday to be paid within 30 days.
The EPA also instructed the resort to assess the state of the island's environment in relation to the coral propagation work with an EIA consultant and to submit a report within 30 days.
The Ali Bey company's failure to complete the EIA process before planting the corals was confirmed based on information gathered during the agency's investigation, correspondence with the resort and information from the Tourism Ministry, the EPA said.
