A group of people have cut down 30 coconut palm trees on the island of Nadella in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, the same area where President Mohamed Nasheed had promised to develop a football stadium.
Councilor of Nadella Abbas Ali told Minivan News that given that the price of one grown palm tree was Rf500 a sapling Rf100, the incident on Monday night represented a total loss Rf3500 to the community.
“Some of the people earn money by selling coconuts and items made from palm trees,” he said.
”In that area there are 430 palm trees belonging to 25 people. It is a very big loss for some people.”
”Apparently they had used electric or petrol saws.”
Abbas said the Island office informed about it to the police yesterday morning.
He said the islanders had disputed the development of a football stadium in the area because recently land was reclaimed to develop the stadium in another area.
He said the palm trees were growing 300 feet away from where people lived.
Mohamed Rasheed, a man who lost two palm trees in the incident, said the trees had belonged to his grandfather and he had been waiting for them to get old so he could use the logs.
”I also use the palm trees to get coconuts,” he said.
Head of Gaafu Dhaalu police station Ahmed Naseeh said the police yet to begin investigating the case.
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