Government drafting regulation to fine people who dump garbage into seas and beaches

Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has announced that the government is drafting a regulation to impose fines and take action against people who dump garbage into the sea and on beaches.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office on Monday, Minister Thoriq said complaints about waste being discarded in the ocean and on beaches surface repeatedly, and the issue requires strict monitoring.

He said the new regulation will clearly outline penalties for those who litter in protected areas, beaches, and other locations where waste disposal is prohibited.

“From time to time, we encounter cases of garbage being dumped into the sea or in places where it should not be disposed of. Littering the beach is also a recurring problem. We will hold those who engage in such acts accountable under this Act, and we will fine those who deserve to be fined,” Minister Thoriq said.

The minister stressed that Maldives’ natural environment and resources must be properly managed, noting that environmental degradation directly affects the country’s economy.

He added that the government is working to improve waste management in an environmentally responsible manner and will also focus on raising public awareness.

Waste management remains one of the Maldives’ biggest environmental challenges, with various community‑level initiatives underway to address unmanaged waste.