Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC) has announced an environmental pledge to accompany a new 300-flat housing development in Villimalé, vowing the state-backed project will proceed without the removal of a single native Alexandrian Laurel, known locally as the Funa tree, and also referred to as Indian Laurel or Beach Calophyllum.
The initiative, awarded by the Bank of Maldives, is positioned as a primary example of the administration’s efforts to reconcile urban density with ecological preservation. Mohamed Nazim, Chairman of RCC and a Member of Parliament for North Maafannu, stated that the government’s environmental consciousness is now a defining parameter of the firm’s operational strategy.
"Upon the conclusion of this development, we guarantee that not a single Funa tree specifically located on this site will be felled," Nazim said. "God willing, we will construct these 300 housing units on this island without cutting down any Funa trees."
The development features three 17-storey towers designed by Maldivian architects and engineers. Blueprints include 900-square-foot, three-bedroom apartments equipped with specialised "bed elevators" and integrated waste disposal. To meet institutional deadlines, the site operates on a 24-hour cycle with 400 employees. Nazim guaranteed completion by June 2028.
"The administration is undertaking highly essential measures for this endeavour," Nazim explained. "Considering the work being carried out by the [special Cabinet Minister‘s] committee established by the President [Dr Mohamed Muizzu], I am firmly convinced that we will face no impediments in driving this project forward swiftly, particularly regarding the procurement of materials."
The completion of the towers in Villimalé is expected to serve as a broader economic engine for the region. RCC is currently managing a portfolio that includes 55 local council buildings, a series of public works that Nazim argued are delivering "massive financial benefits and crucial growth opportunities" to small and medium-sized enterprises.