Activist climbs century-old banyan tree in Vilimale’ to protest its removal

An environmental activist climbed a sprawling banyan tree in Vilimale’ and lay down on one of its branches on Thursday morning, as authorities attempted to cut down the century-old tree.

The tree, located at the island’s water sports area, is one of two banyan trees that was slated for removal following a vote at a community meeting with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on November 23, 2025.

Workers began efforts to cut down the sprawling tree on Wednesday, cutting branch by branch.

Ahmed Niyaz, founder of the Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO), climbed the tree on Thursday morning, lay down on one of its branches, to protest against its removal.

The police soon arrived at the scene, resulting in a long standoff as they tried to convince him to climb down the tree. They used a telehandler to have one of the officers moved closer to where he lay high up on one of the branches, and negotiate with him.

Niyaz finally climbed down the tree and was subsequently removed from the area.

A police spokesperson said that Niyaz was not placed under arrest.

The decision to cut down the two large banyan trees in Vilimale’, one in the water sports area and the other near the police station, was made by President Muizzu after some local residents complained of the structural damage to nearby homes from the roots of the trees.

President Muizzu later defended the decision, stating that while cutting down trees is not government policy, exceptions may be made when human life is disrupted. He added that at least 300 trees would be planted across Villimale’ to compensate for the banyan trees.

Some 500 samplings were later planted in Vilimale’ in December.

The banyan tree at the water sports area is a century old.

However, it is unclear if the Male’ City Council was enforcing last year’s decision to cut down the tree.

The council was not immediately available comment despite repeated text messages and phone calls.