500 trees planted in Vilimale’ including coconut palm, teak

Vilimale’ saw 500 trees planted yesterday as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Five Million Tree Planting Programme, aimed at protecting the environment and increasing urban greenery.

According to the Environment Ministry, the event included the planting of 100 coconut palms across three locations and more than 100 teak trees, giving Vilimale’ the largest number of teak trees in the Maldives.

“Teak is currently a very rare tree in the Maldives. This effort encourages the sustainability of environmental life,” the ministry said.

Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, Sports Minister Abdullah Rafiu, Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim, and heads of various government companies and ministries attended the planting event.

Launched on World Environment Day, 5 June last year, the Five Million Tree Planting Programme is one of the largest environmental initiatives undertaken by the government.

More than 827,000 trees have been planted since the programme began.

The government’s recent decision to remove two old banyan trees in Vilimale’ has drawn criticism from environmentalists and the public.

Authorities said the decision was made after complaints that the trees’ roots were damaging nearby houses. President Muizzu said in a meeting with residents of Machangolhi last week that prioritizing the environment remains a key government focus.

“Logging is not our policy. But if removing a tree is essential to prevent harm to human life, and legal procedures are followed, it does not contradict our tree-planting efforts,” he said.

The Ministry of Environment has been directed to plant 300 replacement trees across the island.