Reclamation of the Kaafu Vaavehdhi lagoon is continuing despite an order to halt all activities that stress reefs in order to mitigate the impacts of an ongoing mass coral bleaching event, Adhadhu has learned.
In an announcement on May 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered a temporary suspension of all major coastal development activities amid coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures.
The EPA ordered a halt to dredging, reclamation, beach nourishment, sand pumping, installation of pipelines and cables on reefs, boundary wall building and other work done on reefs with heavy machinery until June 10.
However, the public has been complaining about dredging and reclamation work continuing in various places across the country. The EPA said it is looking into reports on non-compliance.
Asked about the reason for the Vaavehdhi lagoon reclamation continuing despite the order to halt all activities, Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said that the work was ongoing with a special permit from the EPA.
Special permits to continue work on ongoing projects are granted based on necessity after evaluating each request, Thoriq said. Most such requests involve contractual obligations in business deals, he said.
"Such requests include big contracts. They can't get away from contracts made with contractors. For example, there would be large sums that have to be paid daily as penalties," Thoriq said.
In evaluating such requests, the EPA considers financial losses that could be incurred as a result of halting work. The reclamation of Vaavehdhi lagoon was authorized after necessary evaluations by the EPA, Thoriq said.
The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) previously called for compliance with the order to halt activities such as dredging to mitigate coral bleaching.
The resort development in Vaavehdhi lagoon was undertaken by Rexiana for Resorts Management LLC under Qatar's Estithmar Holding. A resort under the famous "Rosewood" brand is to be opened under the massive MVR 5.3 billion project in the lagoon.
The company bought the lagoon last year. The lagoon came to the attention of the public when the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) halted the sale of the lagoon ahead of the presidential election.
