President decides to remove banyan tree from Mahchangolhi cemetery

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to remove the banyan tree in the Mahchangolhi cemetery after residents complained it was disrupting daily life.  

The announcement was made during the public meeting with Mahchangolhi residents on Tuesday evening, where locals described problems caused by the tree. One resident said his toilet required repairs every three months due to damage linked to the tree’s roots.  

The President stressed that his administration gives top priority to environmental issues, citing the government’s five million tree planting program. He noted that 800,000 trees have already been planted and the target will be achieved within three years.  

He added that cutting down trees is not government policy, but exceptions can be made under legal procedures when human life is affected. “Logging and these things are not our policy. But removing a tree for an essential purpose of a place, if it is disturbing to human life, according to the rules and regulations, after completing legal procedures, is not against planting trees,” he said.  

The President confirmed that the city council and Ministry of Local Government will carry out the removal.  

In addition, the President announced that two banyan trees in Villimale’ will be removed, with 300 new trees planted across the island as part of the government’s reforestation program. The decision followed a community meeting in Villimale’, where residents raised concerns about the damage caused by the trees’ roots and branches.