Ministry of Tourism has stated it is drafting a new regulation on waste management of resorts and other tourist facilities.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Climate Change, Deputy Minister of Tourism Assad Riza acknowledged that some resorts are dumping waste straight into the ocean. The deputy minister said the ministry has undertaken several efforts to resolve the issue of waste management in resorts, noting a circular has been released prohibiting resorts from dumping waste into the ocean. He added the waste management regulations currently in place for resorts are more than 20 years old, and acknowledged that the regulations need to be changed.
Speaking further, Assad said the tourism ministry is currently drafting a new waste management regulation for resorts. Noting the new regulations are expected to be gazette in about 2-3 months, Assad expressed hope the new regulations will resolve the issues faced by resorts in managing their waste.
A waste management facility had been established in Vandhoo, Raa Atoll to manage regional waste. The facility was first established to manage the waste of 15 resorts operational in the area. However, there are now 43 resorts in the region, creating difficulties in managing waste at a single regional facility.