The Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) has warned that legal action will be taken against parties conducting dredging and land reclamation works in breach of approved permits and environmental regulations.

The warning follows a series of complaints related to ongoing projects across multiple atolls. The ERA said the complaints highlight failures to implement key mitigation measures required to minimise environmental damage.

It noted that in several cases, dredging has commenced without the installation of essential safeguards such as bund walls and silt screens, which are intended to limit sedimentation and protect surrounding marine ecosystems.

The ERA also raised concern over activities carried out beyond approved project areas, dredging conducted too close to inhabited islands and sensitive reef zones, and works continuing despite unfavourable weather conditions.

It also emphasised that all mitigation measures specified in approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports must be fully implemented. These include maintaining a minimum distance of 500 metres from house reefs when dredging within atolls, installing sediment control measures, and strictly adhering to designated dredging zones.

In addition, the ERA instructed that only approved dredger routes be used to avoid environmentally sensitive areas, and that all dredging and reclamation work be suspended during periods of rough weather.

The ERA said complaints are being reviewed as a priority, and reaffirmed that enforcement action will be taken against those found to be in violation of permit conditions and environmental requirements.