The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced on Sunday that large trees being removed from pavements in Hulhumalé will be replanted in the island’s parks as part of an ongoing clean-up initiative.
The effort, titled “Hihfaseyha Hulhumalé”, aims to improve the island’s environment and address long-standing drainage issues in urban areas. According to HDC, the decision to uproot the trees was made due to repeated flooding caused by water accumulating on roads and pavements, which the trees’ roots were obstructing.
HDC said that instead of cutting the trees down, they are being carefully removed and relocated to designated parks across the island. The corporation added that residents will also be invited to take part in a tree-planting programme to fill the empty spaces left behind in pavement hedges.
As part of the initiative, the company said it will also remove chairs and tables that have been placed on pavements, citing public complaints about obstructions to pedestrian movement. The clean-up programme will further include general maintenance work aimed at improving the island’s overall cleanliness and accessibility.
HDC noted that it has received numerous reports from residents about tree roots surfacing on pavements and damaging road surfaces, as well as difficulties caused by furniture obstructing walkways.
