President Muizzu Unveils Green Belt Plan for Bodu Thakurufaanu Magu Project

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced an ambitious greening initiative designed to transform the Bodu Thakurufaanu Magu development project in Malé. The plan aims to integrate nature directly into the city's infrastructure by introducing a dedicated green belt along the redeveloped road. Stretching from the local market to the Henveiru Ferry Terminal, the road will feature large trees planted in both oversized pots and ground-level strips. These trees will be positioned at regular intervals to create a continuous canopy, providing essential shade and improving the urban environment for pedestrians and commuters. Speaking during a special programme, President Muizzu emphasized that environmental stewardship remains a "special priority" for his administration. He linked this specific urban project to a broader national campaign to plant five million trees across the Maldives. The President noted that the greening of Bodu Thakurufaanu Magu serves as a pilot project, with the government intending to replicate similar nature-based infrastructure initiatives across other islands in the archipelago. The redevelopment project is currently being implemented in five distinct segments. Work on Segment One, which runs from the local market to the Izzuddeen Jetty, has already been completed. Segments 2, 3, and 4 are currently under construction, with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) confirming that sewerage works for these sections are now finished. By embedding greenery into the heart of the capital, the government seeks to balance rapid urban development with ecological sustainability, ensuring that the city's growth does not come at the expense of environmental health.