Addu City’s Mathikilhi Eco Garden devastated by fire

Around 80 percent of the Mathikilhi Eco Garden in Addu City has been destroyed in two fires over the past two days.

The first blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon and was extinguished after three hours by firefighters and members of the public.

A second fire began at 10:30 am yesterday and was brought under control at 7:05 pm, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said, after approximately nine hours.

Abdullah Zuhury, President of the Mathikilhi Society; a private association that established and maintains the park and its mangroves told Mihaaru News that a significant portion of the mangrove had been affected by the fire.

“I estimate that around 80 percent of the mangrove has been burnt down,” he said.

Zuhury expressed doubts that the fires were accidental.

“I don’t believe the place caught fire on its own. It seems likely that someone deliberately set it on fire,” he added.

The wooden walkway within the eco garden was also destroyed, and the public is advised not to use it until further notice.

“It was damaged beyond repair,” Zuhury said.

He added that a full assessment is needed to determine the extent of the damage.

Mathikilhi, which spans 54 hectares, was declared a protected area in 2020 and is one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in the Maldives.

Mathikilhi is home to numerous species, including taro plants, "Kaafaruburu"; a type of grass that grows here , wild chickens, white-breasted waterhens, and a variety of birds.

While small fires have occurred in the past, with the most recent one last March, this latest incident caused the greatest damage.