The Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) has warned it will take legal action against anyone violating dredging permits.
In a statement, the authority said it has received multiple complaints regarding dredging and land reclamation projects, including concerns over poor environmental safeguards.
Reported violations include failure to install sand barriers and silt screens to control sedimentation, sand mining outside permitted areas, dredging too close to shorelines and reefs, and continuing work during bad weather or yellow alerts.
The authority said approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports already require strict measures to reduce environmental damage. These include the installation of sand barriers and silt screens, and maintaining a minimum distant of 500 metres away from house reefs of inhabited islands and resorts, using designated dredger routes and avoiding sensitive areas, and pausing dredging during yellow alerts.
The statement said the authority is closely monitoring complaints and will act against violators.