EPA rejects EIA for Farukolhufushi airport project

Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has rejected an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for an airport development project on Shaviyani Farukolhufushi.

The ecosystem around Farukolhufushi is a well known feeding ground for fish and other marine species. Government commissioned local company Araamu Travels Pvt Ltd to construct an airport on Farukolhufushi on 25 June 2013.

Director General of EPA Ibrahim Naseem said today said the EIA was rejected after due evaluation.

“We have rejected the EPA. But the decision can be appealed,” said Naeem.

He also refuted media reports that EPA has ordered the company not to develop an airport in Farukolhufushi.

“We did not tell them not to develop the airport. We did not make any such orders,” Naseem told Sun Online.