EPA Lifts Restrictions Despite Ongoing Coral Bleaching Crisis

On Tuesday, the EPA announced the end of the temporary suspension on lagoon excavation and dredging activities, originally imposed to protect the reefs from further damage.

Since April, the Maldives has experienced a sharp rise in sea temperatures due to the El Niño phase, resulting in widespread coral bleaching. The nation currently faces an 'Alert Level -2' status. In response, the EPA implemented several measures from early April to early June to curb coral bleaching:

• Suspension of all land reclamation projects
• Cessation of heavy machinery use for dredging, beach development, bund wall construction, sand pumping, pipeline laying, and cable laying on the reefs
• Postponement of ongoing projects and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) until June 10th

Despite the persistence of coral bleaching, the EPA has lifted the ban on lagoon excavation and land reclamation projects. The agency acknowledged the move from 'Alert Level -1' to 'Level -2' and emphasized the need for strict adherence to environmental impact mitigation measures as outlined in the EIA report. The EPA has requested that all non-essential activities be postponed until after August 31.