Addendum to EIA for proposed redevelopment development of Kudahithi Island Resort, north Male’ Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an study carryout as an addendum to the additional work that is proposed to the main project on to which an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions upon request from Sun Land Pvt. Ltd in order to fulfil obligatory requirements of the National Environment Protection and Preservation Act, Law No. 4/93 for the redevelopment of Kudahithi island resort in Male’ Atoll, Maldives. The redevelopment work of Kudahithi is being carried out by Sunland Hotels. The changes that had been proposed to the main project includes; relocation of the service jetty from western side of the island to eastern side of the island, increasing the size of the master residence, changing the orientation and size of the support bungalows, development of a manager office, executive villa and staff quarter. The changes to the project also include the replenishment of the beach on southern, northern and western side of the island. This report has identified that the impacts of the project will be felt on the terrestrial environment as almost all the new structures proposed will be on land. The impact on the marine environment will be felt through the beach nourishment component and. The direct impact on the marine environment would be the sedimentation due to the beach replenishment activity. The most significant impact will be felt on the lagoon bottom. The mitigation plan has identified appropriate measures to minimize the identified impacts from the proposed redevelopment at the island of Kudahithi. These measures reflect the general aspects of the construction phase for the resort that involves both land and marine based development activities. Important measures that will be undertaken to minimize the damage on the ecosystem include, better pre-planning during the construction stage and minimizing cutting of trees during construction stage, especially young trees among other measures. The conceptual design of the resort has already been planned so as to minimize the amount of trees that will be cut or removed. Alternatives to the project have also been considered and several alternatives to the proposed project were considered, including alternative methods for construction and alternative locations. The advantages and disadvantages of these alternatives have been discussed. Towards, the end of the report, a monitoring programme has been suggested which mainly covers the marine environment. These include coral cover and marine water quality among many other parameters. As the impacts are felt on the marine environment, it is important to undertake this monitoring