Environment impact assessment for the development of a domestic airport on Kooddoo, Ga. Atoll : report 1: land clearance and initial mobilization work

Abstract

1. Kooddoo Island is located in eastern boarder of the Huvadhoo Atoll, Ga. Atoll. The island has a fresh fish collection, freezing and storage facilities owned by the stateowned enterprise – Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). MIFCO was restructured early 2011 and the Koodoo Island’s operation was made a separate business entity - Kooddoo Fisheries Maldives Private Ltd. 2. Plans for development of a domestic airport in Gaafu Alifu (Ga) Atoll have been a government priority. Initial plan was to have the airport on Villingili Island, located just north of Kooddoo. Large area of the island on the north eastern side was reclaimed following the 2004 Tsunami. However, the size and shape of the reclaimed area was found to be not sufficient for the 1500m long aerodrome required for the domestic flights. 3. Two uninhabited islands in region are being developed as tourist resorts and one of them - Falhumaafushi Resort - is now close to completion. The island is expected to be officially open in early 2012. The construction of the second island Dhigurah is expected to the start very soon. These islands were tendered and developed in the hope the domestic airport will be operational by the time of their opening. The need for a domestic airport for guest transfer is now essential if these resorts are to be viable as expected. 4. In order to fast tract the development of the domestic airport, the National Planning Council (NPC) in consultation with the major stakeholders in the region (i.e., atoll and island councils and the Regional National Office) decided that a best possible option is to have the airport on Kooddoo. 5. The developer of the airport Bonaventure Maldives Pvt Ltd is property developer and resort owner based in Singapore. The contractor for the project is Alysen Services Pvt Ltd. 6. At the scoping meeting the developer requested that EIA be submitted in two parts; the first one focusing only on the initial deployment of heavy machinery, labourers and the clearance of the area required for the development. It was agreed that the second and complete EIA be submitted within the validity of the ToR (see Annex 1) and before the construction work begins. This first report therefore focuses only on the initial mobilization and clearance of vegetation. 7. The surveys required for the EIA has been undertaken on 4-10 September 2011. Two separate trees surveys were done; one by total enumeration on randomly selected 4 x 100 x 100 m plots and the other by image analysis using a high resolution satellite imagery combined with ground truthed data done in a separated survey at the same period. 8. The satellite image was classified to nine categories; Agricultural crops, Bush vegetation, Coastal bush vegetation, Coconut grove, Developed area, Mixed woody vegetation, Modified woody vegetation, Open area and Strand vegetation. The enumerated survey identified 10 major tree species providing estimates of the trees by simple average method. The estimated number of trees what will have to be relocated is considered to be a reasonable estimate. 9. All mature trees and coconut palms will be uprooted under the guidance and supervision to ensure that trees are in good condition for transport and replanting. The developer has identified five main islands (Villingili, Falhumaafushi, Vilivaru, and Gulhifalhu) to which trees will be transported. Separate arrangement will be made by the contractor to ensure the safe transport and re-planting of tree in those islands. 10. Significant negative impacts (of initial mobilization and vegetation clearance) include loss of top soil, potential degradation of ground water quality, loss of significant area of vegetation and potential death of the significant number of trees and likely shift of ecological regime of the island in the medium to long term. Positive impacts include opportunities for economic growth and development of the region, the local aviation industry and further increase of tourism potential in Ga and neighbouring area. 11. The operational arrangement of airport is not clear. It is envisioned that some of the services of Kooddoo Fisheries Maldives Pvt Ltd will be used for the management and day-to-day running of the airport. In this case separate arrangements will have to be made by the airport operator and the Kooddoo Fisheries Maldives. 12. A comprehensive EIA will be submitted in due course