| Abstract: | This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd in order to fulfil obligatory requirements of the National Environment Protection and Preservation Act, Law No. 4/93 for the proposed development of a domestic airport in Fainu, Raa Atoll, Maldives.
The purpose of this EIA is to identify and minimize potential adverse environmental impacts related to this project and enhance the overall quality of the project. By examining the project location, the legal framework and the existing environmental components such as marine ecology and the socio-economic aspects, this EIA provides useful information regarding the extent, nature and the magnitude of impacts that are likely to occur. The EIA will also help to identify the long term socio-economic benefits to the community after implementing this project. It also provides a framework for future monitoring of the environment, so that changes can be monitored and corrective measures can be undertaken.
This report is prepared for the project proponent, Island Aviation Services Limited, to establish a domestic airport in the island of Fainu, Raa atoll. The main justification for this project is its alignment with the Government’s policy to improve the connectivity through air transportation and the implementation of the tourism expansion policy. This project will be carried out in three phases.
Phase one will comprise of dredging, reclamation, and vegetation clearance, construction of runway, apron, taxiway, terminal, fire station and basic amenities.
Phase two will consist of construction of staff quarters, ATC and office buildings.
Phase three consists of construction of fuel depot, hangar and service building.
This project involves a section from the eastern and western side to be reclaimed to accommodate the length of the runway and the airport infrastructures. The total area for reclamation is estimated at 8.33Ha. The proposed borrow area to acquire the material for reclamation is located at the north-eastern lagoon of the island. A total volume of 249,719.3m3 can be obtained from the area if dredged to a depth of -16m. The entire boundary of the airport on the south, east and west sides will have revetments constructed as shore protection measures. As the project infrastructure is proposed on a vegetated area, the entire boundary area needs to be cleared. This area accounts for approximately 92% of the island’s vegetation2
The concept design for the proposed airport has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives. The infrastructures, asphalt standards, fire and safety measures shall be in accordance with the Maldives Civil Aviation Regulation (MCAR) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The environmental impacts that are anticipated for the project are both positive and negative. Among the activities from the construction phase, vegetation clearance has been identified as the activity with the most negative impacts. This is because the impacts are long term or permanent, and definite. Vegetation clearance effects the physical, biological and socio-economic environments of the island. Dredging and reclamation has its negative impacts mostly in the marine and coastal environments. However, the magnitude of its impacts can be reduced greatly if the mitigation measures are executed carefully. Reclamation has it positive impacts as it increases the land are of the island and thus increasing the area of freshwater lens over time. It also allows greater utilization of the existing island for the community without sacrificing valuable land for airport development. Remaining negative impacts during the construction phase can be considered mostly temporary as they are from mobilization, impacts from the work force, construction and operation of heavy machinery. Although they may be temporary they can still produce major adverse effects and care must be taken to implements the mitigation measures.
The operational phase of the project has its positive and negative impacts as well. Positive impacts includes more employment opportunities to Fainu Island the region. It is expected that the tourism industry would have more demand when the airport becomes operational.Furthermore, development to the island community is also expected through stimulation of local economies and other fringe industries such as transportation, trade, food services, fuel, accommodation etc. As more visitors and tourists transiting in the island increases, the demand for basic necessities such as health care would increase, thus resulting in the improvement of the health care facility in the island. Additionally the airport will increase accessibility to healthcare in Male’ as well2
The preferred alternative proposed in this report is for the shape of the reclamation area to be maintained in a more natural shape. The access road can also be shifted towards the island as to abide by the Built Environment Regulation. The no-project option is also recommended considering the two existing airports in the region, and the permanent negative impacts that will be produced.
The overall project has a number of concerning aspect, as with any development project of this scale. However it is important to consider the necessity of the project since there is no strategic environmental assessment undertaken for the region or the country as a whole. The proponent shall also carry forward the responsibilities for compensation of trees and the relocation of the island waste management centre, and the recommended monitoring. |
