Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3697
Title: | Environmental impact assessment for the proposed development of a harbour Kurinbi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives |
Authors: | Sandcays |
Keywords: | Harbor development Dredging Legislative and regulatory considerations Existing coastal environment Existing marine environment Meteorological conditions Terrestrial environment Socio-economic environment Environmental concerns Construction impacts Operational impacts Mitigation measures Environmental monitoring Environmental impact assessments |
Issue Date: | Aug-2010 |
Citation: | Sandcays. (2010). Environmental impact assessment for the proposed development of a harbour Kurinbi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | This report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed harbour development in Kurinbi, Haa Dhaalu
Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to provide safe and adequate access to the island. As such the
project encompasses dredging and removal beach rock/reef flat, construction of quaywall and breakwaters and
the filling of dredged materials on either side of the proposed harbour. The proposed harbour is located on
eastern side close to the existing access channel. The proposed harbour project falls within the Access
Improvement Programme, the size of proposed harbour under the programme is 150ft x 300ft. However, the
island community in the community consultation meeting proposed to increase the width of the harbour from 150
ft to at least 200 ft by extending the harbour into landward side. Extending the breakwater into seaward side may
not be possible due to close proximity of outer reef edge to shoreline where high swells and strong wave action
take place.
There are three access channels in use by the community. The most commonly used access channel is located at
southern end of the proposed harbour location. However, the harbour location has been proposed in a fresh
location. In the consultation meeting held with IDC the committee suggested that it would still be better if the
proposed harbour location moved towards south approximately 200 ft such a way that harbour front will be at the
eastern end of main road. The existing access channel at the southern side of the proposed harbour has been
decided to use for boat beaching and services.
The recommended harbour location, however is to move further south to enclose the existing channel within the
proposed harbour basin. In terms of impact to environmental, moving the proposed harbour location to an already
damaged location would be beneficial to environment as it would minimize further damage to natural environment
dredging cost. The area is already been subjected to the impacts of dredging and is in active use, further
cumulative impacts to this area would be preferable to impacts on new fresh areas in their natural state. It was
also identified from the environmental surveys that the percentage of dead coral (25%) in the proposed location
compared to the percentage (34%) of dead corals in the location already in use is low. Also in the environmental
survey conducted in these locations indicated that fish population was more live and more diverse in the
proposed location compared to the existing access channel area.
Kurinbi located in the middle of the atoll, unlike other islands in the region, is continuously subjected to high
swells and strong wave actions in all directions. Hence there is limited space for extending the harbour towards
seaward side due to swell induced wave action. Hence the size of the harbour, particularly the width has been
maintained at 150 ft by MHE which apparently is the maximum possible width that can draw from the available
safe space while minimizing damage to the environment. The IDC raised the issue of small size of the harbour
particularly the width of the harbour during the consultation meeting held at Kurinbi office on 17 July 2010.
Community suggested increasing the width by extending towards landward side. This area is regarded as the face
of the island.
The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using appropriate methodologies including
data collection through a field survey, purpose build checklists and professional judgments. The overall results
indicated that the proposed project had net positive impact. Given that the project has major socio-economic
benefits although there would be some negative environmental impacts, it is recommended to allow the project
to proceed as proposed.
Environmental monitoring recommended for the project includes the monitoring of the shorelines of Kurinbi water
quality and drogue studies of the coastal area for at least two years from the onset of the proposed project
implementation. Monitoring is also expected to cover public views and grievances about the project and future
harbour management information such as nos. of vessels that use the harbour. Annual monitoring reports have to
be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency over the monitoring period. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3697 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
Items in Saruna are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.