Protest Held Against Rasmale’ Reclamation Project Over Environmental Concerns

A protest took place near the dredger Cristóbal Colón on Friday evening, drawing attention to the Rasmale’ reclamation project and its impact on nearby islands.

With 20 speedboats participating in the demonstration, the protestors, many of them youths, highlighted concerns over damage to reefs and marine life caused by dredging near Maafushi. 

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They demanded the immediate cessation of dredging activities near islands for the Rasmale’ project and emphasised the importance of protecting marine habitats for the livelihood of Maldivians. Speedboats surrounded the dredger, and protestors displayed posters expressing their concerns.

The protest follows comments from former President Mohamed Nasheed, who raised concerns about sand and mud being discharged from the reclamation site and the potential harm to surrounding reefs. 

While acknowledging the project’s significance for national development, he stressed the importance of complying with government regulations on land reclamation and the guidelines outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Rasmale’ project, launched on 18 December 2023, with an initial schedule for completion within eight months, has faced delays. The original agreement with Sri Lanka-based Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company (CMCCC) was cancelled, and the government subsequently contracted China’s China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) to continue the reclamation work.