Prominent opposition figures, including former president Mohamed Nasheed and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leadership, have strongly criticised the Muizzu government’s move to dissolve the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and bring its functions under the direct control of the Environment Ministry.
In a post on X, Nasheed said the EPA must remain independent for the government’s environmental policies to retain credibility. “Dissolving it and moving its work into the tourism ministry would be misguided,” he said.
Opposition leader and MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail described the move as “a major step backward” in efforts to protect the environment and balance development with conservation. He said removing the EPA’s operational independence was “deeply concerning” and part of what he called the government’s “ongoing pattern of systematically dismantling checks and balances and consolidating power with the president.”
“Beyond the obvious environmental risks, such abrupt and unreasonable disruptions to regulations and established systems undermine investor confidence, leading to an acceleration of the decline of an already troubled economy,” Fayyaz said.
MDP president Abdulla Shahid also condemned the decision, saying it negates decades of environmental protection work and damages the Maldives’ international reputation. “It diminishes the good work we have done over many decades internationally, and the reputation and trust we have cultivated on climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. What a shame!” Shahid wrote.
President Mohamed Muizzu’s government announced the change on Tuesday, dissolving the EPA’s status as an independent scientific, regulatory and enforcement body. Established in December 2008 under then-president Nasheed, the agency had operated under the advice of a governing board while retaining operational independence.
According to the President’s Office, the newly formed Environmental Regulatory Authority will have “a name more relevant to its regulatory role” and will “strengthen and accelerate” its work. Critics argue the move will weaken environmental oversight and allow the government to advance projects without adequate environmental scrutiny.
Before the EPA’s creation, its functions were handled by the Environmental Research Centre and the Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority.