Male City Council has overruled an earlier announcement, calling for interested parties to develop a water sports area in Bili Male.
Male Mayor Dr Mohammed Muiz told Mihar that he had decided to stop developing a water sports project that was included in the city’s action plan.
According to the council’s website, the water sports business was canceled at the request of the public. The City Council has always prioritized the development of the Marais according to the wishes of the people.
In a notice issued on December 18, the Council released an invitation to interested parties to contact the Council by January 5, 2023 regarding the design and operation of the water sports area of Bilimare. The cost of the project is borne by the developer.
Up to 120,000 square feet of land, including the island’s reef, was open for development, according to the Gazette. The project was intended to provide recreational activities and facilities to the public.
Areas that were to be leased for commercial use are now regularly used by residents of Male and Bili Male for recreational purposes such as picnics, diving, snorkeling and water sports. As such, the announcement was greeted with an uproar by the locals.
Environmentalists in Vilimare told Michal that many families already use the beach area for picnics every day and on weekends. He said many people would face problems.
