An open letter has urged authorities to stop plans to build flats and a new hospital in Villimale' district of the capital city.

Villimale' is a small island near Male'. Environmentalists want to preserve the island's natural heritage and greenery.

The open letter called on the government to expand health services in existing hospitals and find a vacant land plot for the flats.

The new hospital is planned to be built with Chinese free aid, while the government wants to cut down multiple trees to make land for the three 17-storey towers to be built by the Bank of Maldives (BML).

The letter expressed serious concerns about two development projects. It noted that some trees in the land designated for the flats were over 100 years old.

The letter also said that the trees in the area are included in the list of protected trees and that private companies are not exempt from the law.

In addition, the letter stressed that the area where a 100-bed hospital is to be built has more than 50 trees. It called on the Chinese government to stop the project and help expand health services in the atolls.

Those who support the letter can send an email to [email protected]. The names of those who support it will be posted on the Save Maldives website.