'EPA will no longer have the freedom it has so far had'

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been renamed the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) and placed under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, a move that has sparked significant concern among environmental advocates. 

Critics argue this change severely restricts the agency's ability to conduct independent Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and effectively protect the Maldives' fragile environment.

Previously, the EPA operated with a degree of autonomy in conducting EIAs, which are crucial evaluations conducted before the implementation of development projects. However, new amendments published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday significantly alter this process:

• Applications for conducting EIAs must now be submitted to a party determined by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment or the Minister for Tourism and Environment.

• Work on EIA reports for projects designated as "priority government projects" by the Minister for Tourism and Environment must be expedited.

• These priority government projects also require cabinet approval.

These changes effectively expand the powers of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment while curtailing those of the EPA, or ERA as it is now known.

Concerns from Environmental Activists

Environmentalists and activists have voiced strong opposition to the restructuring. Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor, an environmental activist and head of the Save Maldives campaign, described the move as the "abolition of the EPA" and a "huge threat to the islands of Maldives." 

She stated that it implies the government will not protect the environment, adding that "It would be much easier without the EPA now." Humaidha expressed concern that the EIA process, which she claims has always been largely symbolic, will now be even more compromised, leading to environmental protection in the Maldives going "from bad to worse."

Maeed Zahir, Director of Eco Care Maldives, speaking to Sun, noted that the Environment Ministry has always influenced the EPA, and this influence will now be even stronger. He cautioned that the changes to the EIA process could lead to "many wrong things," facilitating hurried assessments to meet ministerial demands and allowing existing environmental problems to persist. 

Maeed emphasized that public consultation and thorough technical reviews, essential parts of the EIA process, will be jeopardized, creating opportunities to "overlook the real issues" and "leave the wrong things the way they are."

Maeed stressed the critical importance of protecting the Maldives' marine life, which is a primary source of national income, and argued that this can only be achieved with an independent institution capable of environmental monitoring and enforcement.

Hussain Rasheed, an environmental activist and diver, also told Sun that a separate authority for environmental protection is necessary. However, he deemed it inappropriate to establish such an authority only to bring it under a ministry.

EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem was unavailable for comment on the matter.

The liberalization of the EPA was a promise made by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Despite the EPA having significant powers under parliament and government, it has historically operated under the Environment Ministry's guidance. This has led to past instances where the ministry reportedly forced the EPA to waive fines imposed on foreign vessels for damaging Maldivian reefs, drawing widespread criticism.

The move by the gov to abolish rhe EPA and transfer its responsibilities to the Ministry of Tourism is a major step backward in our efforts to protect the environment and maintain a balance between development and conservation. While there is always room to review and improve…

— Fayyaz Ismail (@faya_i) August 12, 2025

The current government's changes, enacted on Tuesday, have also drawn criticism from senior leaders within the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).