Hundreds of native tree species, including coast hibiscus (dhiggaa) and alexandrain laurel (funa), have been planted along the Hulhumale' Phase 2 coastline as part of efforts to expand green spaces in the area.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Chief Operating Officer Ahmed Ibrahim said in a post on X that the trees were planted under the first phase of the Hulhumale' Phase 2 beach boulevard project.

The species planted include coast hibiscus (dhiggaa), alexandrain laurel (funa), sea trumpet (kaani), Indian tulip tree (hirundhu), Indian almond tree (midhili) and fish poison tree (kinbi).

"These species belong to our environment and will one day provide much needed shade and greenery," Ahmed said.

According to Ahmed, the trees should have been planted 13 years ago when the land was first reclaimed.

He added that HDC plans to continue developing public parks and open spaces for the hundreds of thousands of people expected to live in Hulhumale' Phase 2.

As high-density residential towers continue to rise across the area, Ahmed said the parks and beachfront spaces will provide residents with places to relax, spend time with family and friends, and escape the pressures of dense urban living.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to plant five million trees nationwide within five years. As part of that initiative, HDC has committed to planting one million trees.