Petition submitted to Parliament calling to protect tranquility of Vilimale’

A petition has been submitted to the Parliament urging to take measures amid concerns regarding the loss of tranquility of Vilimale’.

The petition, submitted to the Parliament last Tuesday by Abdulla Hussain Rasheed, highlights Vilimalé as a prime example of island development that fulfills residents’ needs while preserving its distinct “Maldivian island” identity.

The petitioner urged Parliament to ensure that both the government and the Malé City Council take strong and effective steps to safeguard the island’s sustainability.

Renowned for its lush greenery and beach, Vilimalé is a popular retreat for residents of the greater Malé area seeking a peaceful escape. Furthermore, the limited number of vehicles on its streets ensures a safe and accessible environment for children to roam freely.

The petition expresses deep-seated fears among the island’s residents over the loss of this tranquility.

In this regard, the petition raises concerns about certain projects currently underway on the island under the banner of “development,” warning that if they proceed without careful planning, they could cause serious harm—eroding the island’s unique character and effectively turning it into an extension of the already congested capital, Malé.

The petition proposes several key measures to mitigate these risks.

While motorized vehicles are banned in Vilimale’, the petitioner noted a significant increase in the number of battery-operated motorcycles and as such, requested authorities to implement control measures for these vehicles. The petitioner suggested the establishment of a bicycle-sharing system as a sustainable alternative, to be managed by Male’ City Council.

A second issue raised by the petitioner concerns pressure from certain organizations and individuals to cut down mature and large trees due to damage they are said to cause. The petition advocates for the preservation of these trees, proposing the use of “root control” methods as an alternative to cutting them down when their roots present risks.

Additionally, it urges regular maintenance and pruning of street trees and stresses that urban development plans should incorporate large trees and green spaces as integral elements of the built environment.

The petition further expresses concerns about the Thilmalé Bridge project, which will link four islands in the area, including Malé and Vilimalé. In this regard, the petition states residents worry that the bridge could disrupt the island’s tranquil character.

To avoid this, the petition requests assurances that vehicles using the bridge will be restricted from entering Vilimalé’s residential core. It also calls for the provision of sufficient parking, including a dedicated parking facility near the bridge’s landing, before the bridge becomes operational.

Finally, the petition urges authorities to ensure that, by the time the bridge and the new hospital are completed, an efficient and well-organized transport system is in place to facilitate smooth movement of patients to and from the hospital via the bridge area.