Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3832
Title: Environmental impact assessment for the construction of a causeway between Madaveli and Hoandedhdhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu
Authors: System Engineering and Marine Consulting
Issue Date: 1-Jan-2012
Publisher: System Engineering and Marine Consulting. (2012).Environmental impact assessment for the construction of a causeway between Madaveli and Hoandedhdhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu. Male': Maldives
Abstract: SUMMARY The present report is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding the construction of a causeway between Madaveli and Hoandedhdhoo in GaafuDhaalu atoll, as the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93, article 5a) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2007 require such an assessment study before implementation of any activity that may have a significant impact on the environment. In order to link Madaveli and Hoandedhdhoo, a causeway will be built. However, some further improvement works are also planned: 1. Reclaiming 2 areas in the south part of Madaveli; 2. Building a coastal ridge on the West side of Hoandedhdhoo. The main potential identified environmental impacts associated with the new developments are construction impacts, in relation with the use of machinery (smell and noise disturbances, oil spillage risks, green house gas emission) and with the construction works themselves (temporary rise in turbidity and modification or damages to the seabed), as well as permanent modification of the hydrodynamic regime of the whole area. However, it is expected that the works will improve the coastal protection of the islands and provide easier connection between the two islands that should benefit the communities. The design of the causeway as well as the protection of the reclaimed area will be secured using sand filled container knows as geo-bags. These have been used in different projects throughout the country. The designs have been taking into account a peak flow far superior to what is normally found under normal conditions. In May 2007, a wave setup over the reef flat cause the islands to be partly damage by the flood waves and therefore the risk of increasing the population to increased flooding due to a bad design is real. The main findings of the survey concerns the flooding risks associated with the preliminary designs, especially in the northern part of Hoandedhdhoo due the low terrain as well as the increase of water level on the upstream part of the causeway. It is therefore advised to follow some of the alternative options proposed in the report to avoid creating a flooding problem. 7 Other findings show that some habitats will be completely destroyed by the reclamation, contributing to the loss of habitat diversity and biodiversity in general, in particular a sea grass bed (reclaimed area 1) and a shallow protected mud flat (reclaimed area 2). The coral reef in the area is healthy even though the fish surveys do not point towards an area of significance in relation to fish diversity. The channel area seems to be a good recruitment ground for juveniles of different fish species. The coral reef which will be the most affected is that of the channel, mostly through direct physical damage. It is expected that the deeper water under the culvert, which will be deepened will enable the growth of the branching species present in the area. Moreover, the surveys that were conducted in Madaveli and Hoandedhdhdoo, in October and in December 2011, showed that the population of both islands are positive concerning the project. Stakeholders have been consulted and informed of the planned works, particularly the councils of Madaveli and Hoandedhdhoo, as well as the islands communities. While both communities are very much in favour of the project, they do have some reservations about problems that may arise socially as a result of associated changes from the project. A monitoring plan has been proposed in order to assess the impact of the works over the years.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3832
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