Addu City Council says it had cut down the palm trees lining up Addu link road because they had grown old and were hazardous to those using the road.
The council offered the reasoning behind its decision to cut down the trees after many took to social media to express their anger about the actions.
Many had blamed the council as well as the government and the Environment Protection Agency for failing to protect the iconic palm trees.
Speaking to "The Press", officials from the Addu City Council said that the council made the decision to cut down the palm trees as they were old and that they endanger those using the road during night time.
They had further said that many had complained about the palm trees to the council.
The officials said that the council had sought approval from the Environment Protection Agency EPA before proceeding to cut down the palm trees and that they have been at it for some time now.
City Council officials also said that the EPA had conditioned them to plant a palm tree for every palm tree cut down and to update the agency on the progress.
The Officials assured that the council had planned to replace the palm trees with newer ones and to further develop the road by installing street lamps.
The officials added that the developmental work would begin in the next two weeks.
