Construction debris from the demolition of rooms at Robinson Club Maldives Resort has been transferred to Gaaf Alif Nilandhoo island and buried in the wetland area near the beach.
Residents from Nilandhoo told Adhadhu that the waste was transferred to the island three months ago and they were told that the waste would be transported to Thilafushi industrial island.
But the work to bury the waste began a week ago, one person said, adding that the island council had entrusted Leo Trading with cleaning and constructing the roads in the beach area.
"Instead of taking the debris to Thilafushi, they submitted to the council that they would build a road in Nilandhoo. They cleaned part of the road around the island near the wetland and dug holes about 100 feet and 150 feet deep and buried the debris before levelling the ground," he said.
Construction debris. -- Photo: Adhadhu
However, Nilandhoo Council President Naasih Ibrahim told Adhadhu that he did not believe that the items transferred to the island were waste and insisted that they were transferred at the council's request.
He added that items that might be useful such as wood, tin and toilet accessories were salvaged while the rest were buried as the road near the wetland area had become too muddy.
"They are not burying. Some of the materials needed to build the road are being put there because it is very muddy; that is not garbage. We brought those things because we wanted them. Waste is things that are thrown away or that cannot be used," he said.
Noting that no study and no consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required for the work, Naasih reiterated that he did not believe that the debris was used to build the road.
Construction debris. -- Photo: Adhadhu
Naasih said the area was facing erosion due to seawater and that the work is being done for the protection of the area.
Ecocare Maldives Director of Advocacy Maeed Zahir told Adhadhu that the wetland is very beneficial to the island and it is harmful to destroy such an area.
"It is not good to destroy it and cause damages. Whether it is by dumping garbage or reclamation. It is important to protect and maintain such vulnerable areas. It should be done with research and consultation," he said.
The waste generated in the resorts is usually transferred to Thilafushi, but there are also huge costs involved in the transport. Some residents of Nilandhoo allege wrongdoing involved in the transfer of debris to the island.
