Gov’t Ends Suspension of Coastal Development Projects

The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has lifted the temporary suspension of coastal development projects, citing a reduced risk on corals as sea surface temperatures continue to fall with the onset of the rainy season.

EPA suspended all major coastal development projects on May 9th to reduce additional stress on coral reefs brought on by a mass coral bleaching event. The suspension was enforced till 10 June

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In a press statement released today, the Ministry said that sea surface temperatures have fallen and coral bleaching has decreased, resulting in the watch stage transition from Alert level 1 to 2.

“The land reclamation and dredging components of over 200 projects have been halted until June 10. Even though this period has now expired, EPA and the Ministry are continuing to carry out monitoring,” the statement said.

In an interview with PSM, Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim said that although the watch stage has changed, corals are still very vulnerable.

“Coral bleaching event was not faced by the Maldives alone. We alone cannot change it either. This event affected many countries in the Pacific, Atlantic and the Indian ocean. This is the fourth such major bleaching event,” he said

Thoriq said project contractors need to adhere strictly to recommendations in Environment Impact Assessments, and the government needs to conduct a study to assess the extent of coral bleaching.

It would take some time to fully understand the full extent of this bleaching event, he added.