The Registrar of the Supreme Court has rejected the constitutional case that was submitted in halting the clearing of trees and the construction of housing units in the Funavalu area of Villimalé.
Under the BML Affordable Home Leasing Scheme, the decision was made to build more than 3,000 housing units across Malé, Villimale, and Hulhumalé. To facilitate the flats in Villimale', work had recently begun to cut down large, mature Funa (Alexandrian Laurel) trees located on the land in front of Muhyiddin School.
Environmental protection organizations and professional associations in the construction industry had also expressed concerns, citing the negative environmental impact and planning issues associated with such a project.
As a result, Humaida Abdul Ghafoor and Ahmed Ikram filed a constitutional case in the Supreme Court to hold the government accountable, ensure the protection and preservation of Villimalé’s Funavaa trees according to the law, and defend the general public interest.
In the case, they requested the Supreme Court to take action as no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was conducted before starting the project in Funavaa. They further requested an order prohibiting the Government and Malé City Council from carrying out any activity in that area that could damage trees granted "protected status."
Additionally, they asked the Supreme Court to order the government to update the registry of protected trees in Funavaa in accordance with regulations and to complete all legal requirements for their protection. Furthermore, as the project being carried out in Funavaa is in violation of the procedures mandated by the Constitution and laws, the case requests a ruling that such a project cannot be conducted in Villimalé Funavaa and an order for the government to terminate the project.
The Supreme Court was also asked to order the government to conduct construction and development projects in a manner that does not violate laws and regulations, ensures sustainable development, prevents the extinction of species, avoids environmental destruction, and ensures natural resources are not wasted.
Nevertheless, the Registrar of the Supreme Court concluded that this is not the type of case to be taken to the Supreme Court, with it being rejected. Humaida has appealed the Registrar's decision to the court.
Since this case has been taken to court, the government has decided to make some changes to the project.
Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has stated that the government has always aimed to proceed with the project in Villimale' without cutting down the large Funa trees. Therefore, he said it has been decided to move one tower to a different location instead of cutting the trees.
