The Environmental Protection Authority’s Rf100 million (USD 6.5 million) fine against local business tycoon Mohamed ‘Champa’ Moosa has been overturned by the Civil Court.
Champa got the maximum possible penalty in June and was labeled an “environmental criminal” for irreversibly damaging the island of Thunbafushi and the marine ecosystem of Thunbafalhu, due to performing dredging and reclamation activities in the area without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
However, since the EPA had not provided him with the possibility to act in response to accusations, according to the Civil Court ruling, the fine was not valid.
[mappress] Dredging Today Staff, November 22, 2011