Police: Action not necessary regarding removal of trees

Maldives Police Service has informed Male’ City Council that they are not required to take any action regarding the removal by Maldives Road Development Corporation (MRDC), of the trees planted by the City Council on the roads of Male’.

In a letter sent to Male’ Mayor Mohamed Shihab, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudi said that the ultimate authority for establishing policies and regulations regarding environmental protection and sustainability lies with the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure.

Saudi said that since the trees were removed by MRDC following orders from the Housing Ministry, the police are not required to take any action regarding this matter.

The trees on Majeedee Magu were cut down by an unidentified group last month, following which the City Council began efforts to plant new trees in those areas. The new trees were then removed by MRDC, and the City Council requested the police to take action to ensure that this is stopped.

City Council’s efforts to plant new trees came after it had been informed by Housing Ministry that greenery projects for Male’ would be decided and implemented by the ministry, and notified not to undertake any efforts in this regard.