Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that the resort development company is not responsible for damages to Anbara, Vaavu Atoll. EPA made the statement in a letter to the atoll council after it claimed that the company had damaged the island.
EPA stated that its survey has found that Anbara has sustained environmental damages which was not the fault of Handhuvaru Ocean Private Limited, which has leased the island for 50 years. The agency has also not uncovered any other wrongdoing from the company.
Speaking to PSM News, President of Vaavau Atoll Council Shujau Ali expressed concern that the party that has damaged the island has not been held responsible. He urged authorities to look for those responsible and penalise them.
Anbara was first leased for the development of a picnic island in 2004 and later in 2016. However, residents of the atoll have expressed concern that no significant progress have been made to develop the island.