Council says it never approved cutting of Villimale' banyan tree

The Male' City Council did not grant permission to cut down banyan trees in the beach sports area of Villimale', according to Hussain Furushan, councillor for the Maafannu North constituency, who said the matter will be submitted for discussion at the council's official meeting next week.

The issue has sparked public concern after attempts were made to fell a mature banyan tree in the area, prompting an environmental activist to climb the tree in an effort to stop the operation. The activist was later removed by police.

Writing on X, Hussain Furushan said police had informed residents that permission for the tree removal had been granted by the city council. However, he rejected that claim, stating that inquiries made with council departments had uncovered no document authorising the work.

So @MMuizzu takes a show of hands from a few people at a meeting in Vilimalé, and suddenly that's the law???? Police are telling residents MCC gave permission. We didn't. Police cordened the area, people in civilian clothes showed up to cut the tree, and now we're left asking who authorised any of this. We've asked our departments and no such document has been given. And who are we supposed to report the police to? The police? This is state sponsored environmental destruction nothing less.. To @ekkomv who climbed that tree to stop them, you have my utmost respect. That's what actually standing up for your city looks like!

— Furu (@ctrlshiftdream) November 5, 2026

“Police are telling residents MCC gave permission. We didn't. Police cordoned the area, people in civilian clothes showed up to cut the tree, and now we're left asking who authorised any of this. We've asked our departments and no such document has been given,” he wrote.

Furushan further described the incident as environmental destruction and said he intends to seek legal action over the matter. He later said on X that he would submit a proposal to the council's official sitting next week to explore all available legal avenues.

Commenting on the issue, environmental activist Aminath Zoona questioned why authorities had not been informed that the council had not issued any document authorising the removal of what she described as a protected tree.

@ctrlshiftdream @dh0nkeyo @MMuizzu Villimale police station number: 3392040 Why not call @PoliceMv and inform that @MaleCitymv didn’t issue the document to @WAMCOmv to cut down a protected tree? This issue requires urgent intervention.

— Aminath Zoona (@zooxter) November 5, 2026

The controversy comes amid broader concerns over plans to remove trees in Villimale'. In October last year, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced plans to cut down trees in Villimale' and Machangolhi, prompting concern from environmental advocates and residents alike.

According to Hussain Furushan, the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) has also issued correspondence to the council, police and WAMCO instructing that the tree-cutting operation be halted.