Environmental impact assessment for the proposed beach nourishment activities at Constance Halaveli Resort, North Alifu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the beach nourishment works at Constance Halaveli resort Halaveli island is currently under operation. For many years, the island has been a victim of chronic erosion. As a result, various coastal protection methods have been used to combat and manage erosion. However, despite these measures, the problem of erosion seems to be taking its toll and the western part of the island is still under threat of erosion due to lack of any protection measures on this side. Although Halaveli island has coastal protection structures build on the eastern side of the island, they do not help control erosion of the western side during south west monsoon. During south west monsoon, when the winds predominantly blow from north to north‐west, the western side is very much exposed and as a result the coastline is exposed to erosion. As there are offshore breakwaters on the eastern side, the proponent wishes to replenish the beach as and when required on the western side for the next two years at least instead of constructing breakwaters on the western side. This EIA is therefore focused on beach replenishment The proposed project conforms to all prevalent environmental and tourism legislation and thrives to achieve its objectives in the most environmentally friendly manner. Environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from beach replenishment. The main impact from beach replenishment would be that of sedimentation of the lagoon. This impact is considered to be short‐term and cumulative. The other most significant impact will be the permanent alteration of the shoreline. Mitigation measures for these negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, especially sedimentation control methods. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the replenishment areas. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be quite appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation, which may cause death or partial death of corals. This threat is very limited in the case of Halaveli as the island is formed on a very large lagoon. As an alternative, groynes, sandy breakwater and submerged breakwaters have been proposed on the western side, details of which are given in the relevant section of the report. The project is vital in order to control and manage the erosion and if measures are not taken accordingly, the resort will face severe consequences and loss to the property on the western side, which could run in to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Beach nourishment is an activity that requires to be undertaken on a continuous manner for the western beach as otherwise, the resort will have to opt for a more robust and solid coastal protection method.