Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) : for the Addition of plunge pools to existing villas on Velassaru Maldives, South Male’ Atoll

Abstract

This Environmental Impact Assessment report (short: EIA) focuses on significant environmental issues arising from the addition of 27 plunge pools (ca. 4 x 2.7m) to existing villas – both on land and over water - on K. Velassaru. The developer Universal Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. - a pioneering, private and 100% Maldivian company - plans to invest 2.3 Mio USD into this project. This report contains findings, conclusions and recommends actions supported by summaries of data collected and citations for any references used in interpreting those data. The EIA is oganized according to, but not necessary limited by, the outline given in the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012. Special attention in this report is given to the impact on the marine environment due to the placement of concrete footings, on which the plunge pools will be placed. Four footings will be placed per over-water pool. The pools will be filled with freshwater from the resort’s desalination plants and filtered with a sand-filter. Site clearance for over-water pools involves the transplantation of living corals, which coverage is poor in the area. On the island, only native shrubs and two coconut palms have to be replanted. De-watering is not required for plunge pools on the island due to the depth of the water table. A strict monitoring programme will ensure that the impact on the marine environment will be kept as low as possible. The time frame given for submitting this EIA report is 3 months from the date of ToR