| Abstract: | 1.1 BACKGROUND
The non technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Dhiraagu Domestic Submarine Cable Network (DDSCN) project, by Dhiraagu Ltd. The DDSCN project is part of Dhiraagu endeavor to upgrade its telecommunication network. In this regard during 2006 fibre optic cable connection was made between Sri Lanka (Mount lavinia) and Maldives (Male’) under Dhiraagu Submarine
Cable Network (DSCN) project. During this project a separate connection was made between L. Gan and GDh Gadhdhoo.
1.2 PROJECT DETAIL
The Dhiraagu Domestic Submarine Cable Network, to be called DDSCN, includes connection of all major Dhiraagu network centers in Maldives via a fibre optic cable network. The cable network hub will be located at Hulhumale Dhiraagu centre. Under the current project network cables will be laid from;
1) Hulhumale to ADh Dhangethi and Baa. Eydhafushi
2) ADh Dhangethi to L. Gan
3) Baa. Eydhafushi to HDh Kulhudhufushi
4) GDh Gadhdhoo to S Hithadhoo
5) S. Hithadhoo to Gn Fuvahmulah
Beach manhole will be constructed at all project islands expect for L. Gan and Hulhumale. The submarine cable will be protected at the surf zone by using articulated pipes. The articulated pipes will be installed from 15m water depth to beach manhole, while articulated pipe will be anchored to reef substrate by clamp and anchor bolts.
1.3 KEY IMPACTS, MITIGATION MEASURES AND ALTERNATIVES
1.3.1 KEY IMPACTS
Key impacts of the project indentified are environmental impacts due to construction works and operational impacts envisaged due to design of the project components (anchoring of cable). Social impacts indentified were envisaged to be minor these includes public disturbance during construction of beach manhole and trenching works for connecting the cable to Dhiraagu station at respective project island. Impact on reef environment during the construction stage is mainly on coral communities at the back reef, fore reef and reef slope zones. During cable landing and alignment work, workers will be used to hold and haul in the cable (with assistance of excavator or other heavy machinery on land side); therefore physical damage to live coral in terms of trampling impact is envisaged. This impact will be limited to 1-2m width of cable length and will be a short term impact limited to construction stage (alignment of cable, installation of articulate pipes and anchoring work). Operational impacts indentified for the project in terms of impact on reef environment is the damage to live coral by cable sway and strum. The articulated pipes will be installed up to the 15m depth mark, which in contrast was up to 30m water depth in the DSCN project (this change was based on finding of DSCN cable monitoring done as part of maintenance work). Cable sway is expected to be 1-2m, and at areas like Gadhdhoo,
Fuvahmulah, Hithadhoo, and Hulhumale cable sway may increase further due to extremely high energy condition and current speed (amongst these sites Gadhdhoo and Fuvahmulah is expected to be the worst). Reef surveys carried out at project sites revealed that fore reef area had the highest live coral cover (comparatively to other zones) which falls between 10-25m, therefore this area will be impacted. Likely impacts
are dislodging of tabulate acroporids, breakage and abrasion. Social impacts during operational stage are envisaged to be positive impacts in terms of low cost information technology and associated socioeconomic benefits.
1.3.2 MITIGATION MEASURES
Mitigation measures are discussed for the construction and operational stage of the project. During the construction stage it is important to take measures to minimize generation of construction waste, impact on reef habitat and social impacts. Impacts identified for the construction stage are further reduced by proposed mitigation measures. Impact on back reef environment will be reduced by demarcating the live coral areas at the cable landing area, thereby making the workers aware of coral patches during cable aligning hauling work. Articulate pipe installation works will be carried out during calm period therefore avoiding trampling impacts by divers and workers. In regards to social impacts, MoFA, Transport Authority, MNDF and island councils will be informed prior to cable laying and landing works, thereby aiding in clearance of way for
cableship. Prior to trenching and construction of beach manholes (clearance of vegetation and construction work) island councils shall be informed and necessary permits obtained. The main concern identified for the operational stage of the project is impact on live
coral due to cable sway and strum. Therefore anchoring at 10m interval is proposed as a mitigation measure against cable strum.
1.3.3 ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives are discussed for main cable routes and cable landing sites. Main cable routes are selected based on technical study by NEC on cable installation feasibility and survey report. Main concern for the main routes are FAD locations, the routes are adjusted to have 5km reservation from FAD locations. For the cable landing sites, only Hithadhoo and Fuvahmulah had environmental or social issues regarding proposed cable landing sites. The initial cable landing site proposed for Hithadhoo was at the northern side of the island at the protected area. After the
outcome of scoping meetings and consultations with Hithadhoo City council it was decided to abandon this site and make cable landing at the south western side of the island. Initially selected site at Fuvahmulah was in close proximity to the proposed airport development area therefore this area was abandoned, while the selected location was identified as an access point used by the community (historical access point) in times
when harbor is inaccessible due to bad weather and wave conditions. Therefore this location was shifted 100m north. All other cable landing sites were selected after reviewing land use plans and outcomes of community consultations.
1.3.4 CONCLUSION
The Dhiraagu Domestic Submarine Cable Network (DDSCN) project is part of the development plan by Dhiraagu to upgrade its telecommunication service to the Maldivian population. As part of the development plan, the DSCN project connected Maldives and Sri Lanka by fibre optic cable network, increasing the data handling capacity and in the meantime reducing the tariffs to affordable levels. The old telecommunication network is
based on a satellite connection (main) and repeater system (Dhiraagu main tower centers amongst the atolls). The old system was costly to operate and tariffs were high. DDSCN project is a significant development for the Maldives; as it will help bridge the “digital divide” that besets countries with small populations, dispersed over great oceanic distances with limited connectivity to the outside world. The proposed development is a
first step in bringing the advantages of secure, high-capacity, high-speed and lower cost communications to the rest of the country (which at present is only received at Greater Male’ Region), with an expected positive outcome in terms of improved economic and social development.
Environmental and social impacts associated with DDSCN project is minor for the construction stage, while minor to moderate for the operational stage. With the mitigation measures provided in this report (impact envisaged damaged to live coral due to cable sway and strum), anchoring cable beyond the 15m water depth mark (end of articulate pipes) with clamp and anchor bolts will further reduce impacts to minor to insignificant level. Social impacts envisaged due to the construction stage of DDSCN are envisaged to be minor and short termed. The residual impact of the proposed development after all mitigation measures are applied is one of low, not-significant, or no environmental or social impact and a net
positive economic and social development outcome for the Republic of Maldives. |
