The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined the Addu City Council MVR 30 million for illegal activities in Addu's Ruhjehere area.
The EPA Tuesday said in a statement that it had investigated a complaint regarding the cutting down of a large number of trees from the shore of the Ruhjehere area, digging a pond, and dumping sand on the beach.
The EPA said the investigation revealed that 17,818 square meters of land had been illegally cleared, and 1,712 cubic meters of sand had been removed from the area. Additionally, a heart-shaped pond had been dug in the area.
The City Council has been fined a total of MVR 30,897,955 for the damages under the Environment Preservation and Protection Act. The City Council has been asked to pay the fine within 30 days, including public holidays.
