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Title: | Environmental impact assessment for the proposed access channel at Diamonds Athuruga Beach and Water Villas, South Ari Atoll, Maldives |
Authors: | Sandcays |
Keywords: | Channel dredging projects Legislative and regulatory considerations Meteorological conditions Constructional impacts Operational impacts Mitigation measures Environmental monitoring Environmental impact assessments |
Issue Date: | May-2013 |
Citation: | Sandcays. (2013). Environmental impact assessment for the proposed access channel at Diamonds Athuruga Beach and Water Villas, South Ari Atoll, Maldives. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | This report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed
dredging of the existing entrance channel on the north of Athuruga, South Ari Atoll. The
project is proposed by Voyages Maldives Pvt. Ltd. for Diamonds Athuruga Beach and Water
Villas. Athuruga is one of the oldest and most renowned resorts in the Maldives with luxury
beach and water villas, spa, restaurants and bars.
The project is targeted at improving access by dredging or maintenance dredging of the
existing access channel through which guest transfers to and from the deep lagoon takes
place. Diving dhonis also use this area for diving lessons and the channel is the primary
access for several such services for the resort. Supply vessels as well as other vessels also use
the deep lagoon area as a natural mooring area. The project entails the dredging of the channel
using excavator on a barge. The volume of the dredged sand is approximately 3500m3 and is
proposed to be disposed into the deep lagoon due to the small volume and low environmental
impact. The alternative to this would be to dispose the material in the sea, where it would
impact an unknown environment and would be of no use. The other alternative of moving the
material onshore would involve greater costs and also movement excavator on beach and
land, which is not desirable. The dredge material is less sand and more rubble, therefore,
sieving such a small volume for use in beach nourishment would be cost-prohibitive.
Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the
project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as positive
resulting mainly from improved access and mooring, improved services, direct and indirect
employment opportunities, increase in related business ventures, and so on. The main
negative environmental impact of the project is identified to be the possible movement of low
levels of sediment towards the reef. The movement and settlement of fine sediments are
expected to occur on the reef flat, which is mainly dead. There may be some sediment
movement on to the reef slope and edge. This would be negligible due to the small volume of
dredge material. Therefore, the environmental impacts of the project are considered to be of
little or no significance. The project is undertaken due to the socio-economic benefits that
entail including easy access at all tides creating improved guest transfers and services. The
impact matrices done for the project indicates a net positive impact, however, the magnitude
of the net positive impact is small possibly due to the small size of the project.
There are no mitigation measures except for general mitigation measures such as appropriate
supervision during the civil works and staff awareness on environmental protection. Such
guidance shall focus on ensuring that fuelling of excavator and other machinery is undertaken
with caution and that coral damage is minimized by excavating only the areas that require
excavation.
During the construction phase, it is also vital to undertake daily in-situ monitoring of total
suspended solids and turbidity to ensure that water quality criteria are met and sedimentation
on the reef does not occur. In addition, monitoring of water quality and drogues shall be
undertaken for about a year. It is recommended to incorporate these into an island-wide
monitoring programme, which is not within the scope of this EIA report.
In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry
out the proposed project to dredge the existing entrance channel on the north of Athuruga
resort. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3926 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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