Complaints rise over resort digging a channel on sandbank

Controversy has been caused by the digging of a narrow channel by a resort on a sandbank near K. Hinmafushi. 

Hinmafushi Council President Shan Ibrahim stated to Sun that the resort, which dug the trench creating a river on the sandbank, did not have ownership over the sandbank. Officials from the island of Hinmafushi had traveled to the sandbank to stop the process of digging the trench when they became aware of it, said Shan. Officials were now redepositing the sand removed from the sandbank. 

“The General Manager of the resort was also there. But now, he says that he wants it resolved peacefully.” Said Shan.

Any geographical changes to bodies of land such as sandbank require the permission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after an environmental impact assessment. Massive fines are also levied against such violations. 

The issue of the resort has now been submitted to the police and the EPA, according to Shan.