Speaking during the inauguration of a forum to facilitate discussions between organizations on environmental protection, held jointly by the Environment Ministry and NGO Federation under the assistance of Global Environment Facility, Dr Shakeela pointed out some of the policies already announced by candidates had ignored the threats they pose on the environment. In that regard, Minister highlighted that despite economic benefits from such policies, the adverse effects on the environment could be potentially dire. Some election pledges include finding oil and to establish a mariculture industry in the Maldives. “When you deeply consider these policies, I certainly haven’t heard of any plans to protect the environment. But on the other hand, we keep hearing of plans that can seriously threaten the environment of the Maldives,” Minister said. According to Shakeela, everyone must think deeply about such policies that can endanger the environment and insisted that NGOs can play an important role to hold accountable the people and the government who draft such policies. Continuing in that regard, Minister stressed it was the responsibility of civil societies to identify the threats facing the environment as a result of such policies on behalf of the people.