Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib stated today that only the minimum number of trees possible will be cut from the land designated for building flats in Vilimalé under this government’s housing policy.
Some people are expressing concern on social media as large Funagas (Alexandrian laurel) trees grown thickly on the land across from Vilimalé Muhyiddin School are set to be cut. Those trees are being removed to clear the land required for the flat project the government intends to carry out there.
Work is currently underway to fence the area with tin sheets to vacate the land.
When questioned by Mihaaru News regarding public concerns, Muththalib said that the flat project will be carried out by cutting the fewest possible trees among those on the land. He further stated that no tree would be removed unless it is absolutely necessary.
"We have changed our previous thinking, and now we will cut trees to the absolute minimum. Only a tree that cannot be avoided will be cut," the Minister said.
Some residents living in Vilimalé said that these are believed to be trees that are several hundred years old. Therefore, cutting these trees would be a very significant blow to the environment.
The Save Maldives Campaign, which works for environmental protection, called for a stand against this and stated in a post on X that this is a tactic used by the government and the Malé City Council to deprive the citizens of this country of their rights to natural wealth.
"It has been decided to cut down large trees over 100 years old on the only vacant land in Villimalé and turn that place into a concrete jungle," a person said in a post on X.
"This tiny forest is not just greenery. This is a natural system that acts like a 'sponge,' holding water during times of heavy rain and preventing the island from flooding."
The government always faces criticism for cutting trees in Vilimalé for various projects.
Under the housing project conducted through the national bank, BML, to provide affordable housing as part of the government’s housing policy, it has been decided to build 300 flats in Vilimalé.
While a total of 3,000 flats are being built through BML, the work for the flats being built in Hulhumalé 1 and 3 has already been contracted to companies.
