Environmental management plan for the establishment of island waste management centre in Sh. Noomaraa

Abstract

The Ministry of Environment and Energy has proposed a project to establish an Island Waste Management Centre (IWMC) in nineteen (19) islands of Zone One (Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal and Shaviyani) in order to manage waste generated, on an island level. This project is funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) under the “Provision of Water Supply, Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Project”. The proponent has requested consultancy services of MEECO for the preparation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the proposed project. Of the nineteen (19) islands. Maldives Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) screening process resulted in 14 islands being classified as requiring an EMP. This EMP includes 1 of the 14 islands, namely Sh. Noomaraa. Sh. Noomaraa council pointed out that there are 3 areas used frequently for dumping and burning waste. However, the areas are not demarcated or established to dispose waste. There is currently no waste management system in place in Sh. Noomaraa. Therefore, residents have also been dumping waste at the periphery of the residential zones. These include plastic, organic waste, metals, and glass. Kitchen waste and nappies are thrown on the beach areas around the island. Sh. Noomaraa had no WMP formulated at the time of visit. The proposed Island Waste Management Centre (IWMC) is located in the south eastern side of the island at 6°26'1.15"N, 73° 4'18.14"E. The site is accessible by a cleared road adjacent to the plot. The road has a width of 5 meters and can be used by vehicles. Land clearance works are required as the plot is vegetated with Pandanus (Kashikeyo), Guettarda speciosa (uni), cocos nucifera (Dhivehi ruh) and some undergrowth. It is estimated that 6 coconut palms and 25 other trees will require removal from the site. The main activities involving the construction of the IWMC include vegetation clearance, shallow excavation, substructure and superstructure works as well as masonry works. The proposed design of the IWMC requires a shallow foundation due to the structure being a single story structure. After the structural works are done, masonry, plastering, roofing works are completed prior to the addition of the services components such as electricity and plumbing. The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed within 10 weeks. The IWMC is made up of an equipment room, and separate areas to store metal waste, paper and cardboard, plastic waste, glass waste as well as hazardous waste. The operational phase of the project includes waste collection from households, institutions, and public spaces, sorting, volume reduction and stockpiling of recyclables, composting of organics, and storage of hazardous waste. The IWMC has a capacity of 39 m3 for composting, and approximately 7.9 m3 capacity compartments for glass, plastic, metals and hazardous wastes.