Environmental impact assessment for the proposed redevelopment of island hideaway at Dhonakulhi Island Resort, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

3 Non Technical Summary This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for the proposed redevelopment of Island Hideaway resort at Dhonakulhi Island in Haa Alif Atoll. Dhonakulhi is formed on its own reef system. The island is located at about latitude of 6°50'40.54"N and longitude of 73° 3'4.15"E. The island is formed on an isolated coral reef system, almost round in shape and east of another triangular shaped reef called Mathifaru. The reef is on the northern rim of Haa Alif Atoll. The house reef on south eastern side is approximately 200 m from the island’s southern side and varies between 30 to 60 meters on the western side. On the west of the island’s house reef is a narrow channel approximately 100 meters wide and with an average depth of 20 meters at the deepest part. This narrow channel separates Mathifaru and the reef of Dhonakulhi and is well known to have very strong currents. The proposed redevelopment consists of two major components, namely over water development and development on land. Over water development consists of constructing a new set of water villas (different categories), over water restaurants, and a presidential suit, while the redevelopment activities on land includes new developments on the island. Following are the major components of this development:  Development of 74 new water villas with an access jetty (over water).  Development of the pool bar (on land).  Construction of new junior staff quarters (on land).  Upgrading and extension of theatre bar and disco (on land).  Construction of new senior staff bungalows (on land).  New Japanese / Thai restaurant (over water).  New Arabic restaurant (over water).  New presidential suit (over water).  New owners villa (on land)  New conference hall (on land) Environmental impacts of the proposed redevelopment works have been examined through a number of processes. The report has identified that the impacts of the redevelopment process will mainly be felt on the marine and coastal environment. Impacts on the marine environment will be felt through sedimentation and siltation caused by the construction activities on the lagoon during this period. Impacts on the coastal environment will be felt as a result of developing new structures on the lagoon resulting in alteration of the sediment and long shore patterns. Fortunately, the lagoon where new water villas will be developed does not contain much live corals. On the overall, the redevelopment process will have the greatest impacts during the construction period. Terrestrial impacts are not going to be significant, but there will be vegetation clearance to some extent to make way for new land structures. The resort’s redevelopment plan have been designed and developed to increase the number of guest rooms without disrupting the existing guest rooms on the island. The guest rooms on Dhonakulhi have been developed with lot of space and privacy for each room, which is the defining characteristic of the resort. Large rooms, with complimentary services and facilities like private decks, pools, living space and bar per each guest room requires lot of space which cannot be compromised. Such compromises will affect the special requirements for the existing guest villas on the island. Therefore the goal of the developers is to create additional room without disturbing this balance in the island. Hence, all new guest rooms will be developed over water. A significant impact will also be felt with the increasing demand for water and energy production. With the additional facilities and services offered, there will be a higher demand for energy. Production of increased amounts of water will also require more energy and thus there will be an overall increase in the emission of green house gases. Several mitigation measures have been identified including working in low tide hours, proper supervision. In addition, limiting construction to the minimum time period possible and a management and monitoring plan has also been identified as mitigation measures. These measures are proposed in order to mitigate the impacts on the coral reef and generally the marine environment. Finally, the report provides a conclusion which outlines the alternatives, the mitigation measures and the environmental monitoring that will be undertaken in Dhonakulhi Resort.