Initial environmental examination (IEE) for beach nourishment at Angsana Resort and Spa, Velavaru, Dhaalu Atoll

Abstract

This report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed beach nourishment in Angsana Maldives Velavaru Resort and Spa, Dhaalu Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to recover eroded beach by pumping sand from already excavated areas nearshore from the nearby deep lagoon. The project encompasses sand pumping using a 6 or 8 inch sand pump mounted on a barge. The borrow sites for the proposed beach nourishment will be in the western lagoon. The beach on the eastern shoreline of Velavaru has been severely eroded currently due to lack of any shore protection measures. Previously, the beach has been maintained through regular beach nourishment by pumping sand from the deep lagoon. However, this activity has been stopped by the Tourism Ministry recently as beach nourishment is an activity that requires environmental clearance as per the EIA Regulations of the Maldives. Due to the critical nature of the on-going erosion and since a well maintained beach is one of the main elements of the tourism product of the Maldives, the Environmental Protection Agency has given the authorisation for beach nourishment works to commence after investigating the existing environment and potential impact from the works in an Initial Environmental Examination. This Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) has been carried out in order to get clearance for the nourishment of the beaches of Velavaru. Sand pumping from nearshore locations has the potential to aggravate erosion as the borrow pits can become sediment sinks over a considerable period of time. If borrow areas are too close to the shore, the impact on the island shoreline and the erosion of the nourished beaches would be quite rapid. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the borrow areas as far as possible from the beach. This IEE will locate the best possible borrow area for the beach nourishment works while also providing an alternative location. One of the potential impacts would be the possible growth hindered patch corals within the lagoon. However, there are no coral patches within the lagoon in Velavaru which may be affected by the proposed beach nourishment activity. Given that biological resources are not directly affected, aesthetic concerns are of importance in the proposed project. Therefore, in order to maintain the aesthetic value of the beach and enhance the socio-economic benefits of the proposed project, it is important that immediate beach nourishment is undertaken. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that all environmental concerns of future shore protection or beach enhancement activities are clearly established so as to minimize environmental impacts of such activities.