Mayor of Addu, Ali Nizar and Addu City Council has cut down more than fifty five palm trees on the link road of Addu City.
The Mayor in his statement said that the coconut palms were very old and that dangerous incidents had occurred when things fell from the trees during the rainy days. He said that the council received complaints about someone getting hurt from a fallen coconut in the area last month and complaints about wastes being dumped there.
The news took internet by storm and locals conveyed their displeasure regarding the actions taken by the council, relating that the trees were a part of their history. Also exclaiming that the natural beauty of Addu has been taken away from them without their consent or say in the matter.
I have no words 😭😭😡😡
Addu Link Road’s favorite spot just lost all coconut palms!
Environment protection is such a joke in Maldives! pic.twitter.com/FkRyuXbEwS
— Coach Shujau 🇵🇸 (@coachshujau) March 10, 2022
This is a bit too much isn’t it @AdduCityCouncil ? Kaakah undhagoo vegenbaa mi ruhthah mi kandaaly? Mifaharu kaakuge kon thaneh dhulhavaathy? @EPAMaldives pic.twitter.com/1TINGWLI4I
— Aminath Lamha Aslam (@AslamLamha) March 10, 2022
People could be seen commenting about the beauty of this location and recalled it as their favorite spot in Addu.
That was my favourite road in Maldives. I am sorry to read this 😒
— Catherine Haswell 🇺🇳 🇲🇻 (@HaswellUN) March 10, 2022
Best spot in Addu. Favorite place to show when friends ask to see the city… 💔 pic.twitter.com/FFW604p6Di
— Marn 🇵🇸 (@AishathMarn) March 10, 2022
Critics can be seen giving their opinion saying that a different approach could have been made.
😢 Having more trees alongside a road is supposed to serve as an aid to slow motorists down. Coconuts could have been picked off trees to prevent them falling on motorists? Need more conversation, awareness on what benefits truly are. Alternatives over knee jerk responses.
— Sabra 🎈 (@SabraNoordeen) March 10, 2022
I am strongly against the fact @AdduCityCouncil has cut down the trees in addu city.. Its unacceptable and we don’t consider it to be development. You can protect the environment and keep the trees in place and bring forward development
— Galc0bs (@galcobs) March 10, 2022
Addressing the outrage, Mayor Nizar said new trees and lights will be planted in the area. He noted that the council is currently initiating a programme to plant 100,000 trees. Though it has not been disclosed as to what kind of trees will be planted.
