Reef vandals' details found, steps will be taken: ERA

Chief Executive Hassaan Mohamed of the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) has said today that the damages to the Hulhumale' reef in order to make a "canal" was done without permission, with the damages to be checked and steps to be taken.

The damages were done during sunset on Wednesday when the water had receded from the beach, to the eastern reef at Hulhumale' Phase 1, where the beach is the cleanest on the island, catering to a sizable number of guesthouses. This was in an attempt to create a canal.

Hassaan told Mihaaru News that they have spoken to HDC, with them having given the details of the perpetrators to the HDC.

"They attempted to make a canal. Something such as this requires permission, which they did not have."

The ERA said that those involved will be questioned, with the opportunity to take responsibility being given and steps taken after an investigation.

Those who conduct acts such as these will be heavily fined under environmental laws.

As per Hassaan, the authority will go on-site and research the damages done.

"We will go to the site and see the extent of the damage under our compliance. We will take steps after assessing the damage," said Hassaan.

An anonymous source who had seen the incident told Mihaaru News that around six people had begun taking rocks and corals from the reef and began hitting it with pickaxes along a certain stretch of the reef.

As per the source, they had used metal and other implements to damage the reef and create a path out to sea.

The source said that taking parts of the reef in order to make space for water sports vessels is a common sight in Hulhumale'.

While the issue of damaging corals and creating wide canals has surfaced, HDC has made it so that no marine vessel can enter the waters in the Hulhumale' Channel Park bridge that connects Hulhumale' Phase 1 and Phase 2. Even when people are swimming there, jet skis are known to go past at a blistering and dangerous pace.