Fence Hogger

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Planting date palm is not the issue. You can plant a date palm in a mosque yard or public park. The problem is when you start replacing coconut palms especially in the front facing parts of islands, resorts, and city areas. Look at places like Hawaii, Mauritius, or Seychelles. You don’t see them filling those spaces with date palms. They know they’re tropical countries, and they stick to it. It’s the same reason you’ll find date palm products as gifts in the Middle East, and coconut based items in tropical countries. Some are trying to frame this as a religious issue. It’s not. This is about climate, culture, and how your country presents itself. Tourism is our main economic driver. That means your island’s visual identity isn’t just for you! it’s part of what sells this place to the world. And yes, your ecosystem matters too. Coconut palms support it. Date palms don’t.

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The Addu Link Road’s lagoon-side pavement was wrecked to plant date palms that clash with the scenery. The iconic native coconut palms at Aareyfu (RAF) have been cut down and replaced with date palms by Mayor Nizar and his team, ignoring widespread public discontent. On Hithadhoo’s wide main roads, shade-giving trees are needed, yet more date palms, offering no relief from the sun, have been planted instead.