Complaints have been circulating on social media after people were told to get permission from Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for picnics in areas such as Central Park and the beach in Hulhumale'.

According to posts circulating on social media over the past two days, HDC officials obstructed picnickers in Central Park and told them to get permission in advance.

One person said that three HDC employees told them that they could not have a picnic in the public park without HDC permission.

HDC employees told the picnickers to send an email to seek permission. But the HDC has not disclosed any rules related to this.

The company was not available for comment as repeated calls to the media officials went unanswered.

Picnics in the beach, parks and on the banks of the bridge between Hulhumale' Phase 1 and 2 have become increasingly popular.

Some people on social media said they supported the move if it was done to reduce littering by picnickers. However, many people believe there are better ways to solve the problem.