Decision to reclaim mangrove area dishonours Constitution: Ecocare

Ecocare Maldives has claimed that by reclaiming the mangrove area in Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi for the development of an airport in the region, the government is dishonouring the Constitution.

In a statement issued today, Ecocare said that Article 22 of the Constitution of the Maldives says that the State has a fundamental duty to protect and preserve the natural environment, biodiversity, resources and beauty of the country for the benefit of present and future generations.

Ecocare said that it is the responsibility of the State to “undertake and promote desirable economic and social goals through ecologically balanced sustainable development and shall take measures necessary to foster conservation, prevent pollution, the extinction of any species and ecological degradation from any such goals.”

Ecocare, a non-governmental organisation that works for the protection and sustainable development of the environment, said that the development of an airport in Kulhudhuffushi, which is located just 16 km from Hanimaadhoo International Airport, is “neither environment friendly nor economically sound”.

They strongly condemned the government’s decision to develop an airport in Kulhudhuffushi, and instead called on authorities to focus on the development of a speedy sea transportation/ferry network between Kulhudhuffushi and Hanimaadhoo to meet the needs of the locals.

At a press conference two days ago, Minister of Transport Ameen Ibrahim said that the mangrove area in Kulhudhuffushi will have to be reclaimed to facilitate the construction of the airport.

He assured that advice and assistance will be sought from environment experts in the reclamation of the mangrove area.