Nasheed Calls for Villimale to Be Preserved as Green Island Amid Development Debate

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called for Villimale to be preserved as an island with its natural greenery and environmental character intact, arguing that future high-rise developments should instead be concentrated in nearby reclaimed areas.

Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Nasheed has urged that Villimale be maintained as a green island, saying it should not be transformed into a densely built-up urban area.

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In a post on X on Friday, Nasheed said Villimale should retain its natural beauty and protected characteristics rather than becoming “a concrete jungle.”

I support VilliMale remaining a green island, with its remaining natural features protected and without excessive high-rise buildings. The VilliMale bridge, which will also connect GulhiFalhu and Thilafushi, will soon be complete. GulhiFalhu can then accommodate high-rise…— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) July 10, 2026

He argued that major urban development would be more appropriate in the reclaimed islands of Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi, particularly with the planned Villimale-Gulhifalhu-Thilafushi bridge expected to improve connectivity.

“Villimale should be maintained as an island with greenery, natural beauty and protected characteristics. The Villimale-Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi bridge will be completed soon, and those places are more suitable for high-rise buildings,” Nasheed wrote.

Villimale’ akee fehikamaai, qudhurathee thobeeathaai sifathah himaayaiy kurevifaivaa, concrete jangayyakah nuvaa rashegge gothugai dhamahattan jeheyne kamah alhugandu dheken. Isaahithaku Villimale’ bridge in Male’ aai Gulhifalhu Thilafushi gulheyne. Uss concrete imaaraaiy elhun…— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) July 10, 2026

His comments come amid renewed public debate over development in Villimale following concerns raised by a resident during the Malé City Council’s public meeting on Thursday night.

Speaking at the meeting, the resident said many people living in Villimale wanted more housing and supported the removal of some trees to make way for apartment buildings. He also claimed that successive governments had failed to adequately address the island’s housing needs.

The discussion follows the government’s housing plans for the island. The government has tasked the Bank of Maldives with developing a housing project in Villimale, with initial plans involving the construction of some apartment blocks in a wooded area of the island that would have required the removal of trees.

However, following objections from environmental groups and legal proceedings, the government decided not to clear the trees and instead relocated the proposed housing development to another site of Villimale.

Alongside the housing project, the government has also announced plans to construct a new hospital in Villimale with assistance from China.

The debate reflects the broader challenge of balancing the demand for housing and public infrastructure with the conservation of one of the Greater Malé Region’s few remaining naturally green islands.