Soneva resort denies using false pretext to remove trees
The island council disputes a report commissioned to seek approval for transferring the trees.
26 Nov 2018, 9:00 AM
The Soneva Jani Resort has denied trying to use a misleading survey to seek a permit for removing more than 500 coconut palms from a neighbouring island.
According to an environment impact assessment (EIA) report commissioned by the resort, the nearby island of Magoodhoo in the northern Noonu atoll “needed to clear vegetation to make way for roads and houses,” a claim disputed by the island council.
The report contained false information to make it appear there was a road project sanctioned by the council, a Magoodhoo councillor told the Maldives Independent.
“We alerted the Environment Protection Agency because the EIA had incorrect information. It said the council wanted to take the palm trees, that is false. The truth is Soneva Jani wanted to buy the trees. We did not have an urgent need to clear the trees,” he said Sunday.
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