L. Gan introduces vegetation protection rules, charges MVR 100 per tree removed for commercial use

The regulations governing the removal, felling and transport of trees from L. Gan were announced on Sunday.

The regulation issued by the council of Gan, the Maldives' largest island by land area, states that no tree may be felled, uprooted or removed from any part of the island without obtaining written permission from the council.

Under the regulation, the felling and removal of coastal trees and protected trees are prohibited. The restriction also applies to trees growing within legally protected areas and within a 20-metre buffer zone surrounding such areas.

The regulation further prohibits the removal of protected plant species and endangered plants that are protected under laws and policies aimed at conserving the Maldives' biodiversity.

However, where a tree is causing, or is likely to cause, significant damage to neighbouring homes, compounds or buildings, branches, fronds, flowers or other parts extending into adjoining properties may be pruned. Such work must also be carried out with the council's approval.

The regulation establishes different approval requirements depending on the scale of a vegetation clearance project. Projects involving the removal of more than 50 trees, or the clearing of more than 4,000 square feet of land, will require additional environmental review. Meanwhile, applications involving fewer than 50 trees can be approved directly by the council.

Applicants seeking permission to remove trees will be required to pay fees set out by the council. These include:

• MVR 50 for each application form submitted;

• MVR 100 per tree transported out of the island for commercial purposes;

• MVR 25 for each tree with a circumference of up to 10 centimetres removed from the island, with an additional MVR 5 charged for every centimetre beyond that;

• MVR 2,000 for each permit extension; and

• MVR 10 per tree felled for use as timber.

The council said permits for the removal of trees will only be extended twice. Once that limit is reached, applicants must submit a new permit application. Permits issued under the regulation are valid for three days for nursery-grown trees and seven days for trees removed from other approved locations.

The regulation also states that trees that are cut, uprooted or removed from the island may only be transported to another island with the council's permission. In addition, two replacement trees must be planted for every tree removed.

Environmental groups have previously expressed concern over the removal of large numbers of trees from inhabited islands for commercial purposes, warning that the practice could undermine local ecosystems and reduce island vegetation cover.