Environmental impact assessment for the reclamation at Guriadhoo, Kaafu Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study (EIA) undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. This EIA report covers for reclamation and coastal protection project at K.Guraidhoo. This project would reclaim 16.83 hectres of land at Guriadhoo and undertake coastal protection. The five hundred and ten thousand cubic meters of the fill materials for the reclamation would be borrowed using Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger from borrow sites identified by EPA. 25% of the total perimeter of the area reclaimed would be protected using rock boulders. Guraidhoo is one of the islands in a group of islands that government has designated to be reclaimed as part of the land reclamation project implemented by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. Government’s land reclamation project is implemented at islands where there is a huge demand for residential and commercial land. The proposed project would help to provide additional land that can be utilised for residential purposes. Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the project were assessed. The reclamation of the shallow lagoon would have irreversible impacts on the Guriadhoo. The impacts of the project result mainly from dredging and reclamation work. The impact of both activities would be of sedimentation. This impact is considered to be minor and short-term. During dredging and reclamation activity, impact of sedimentation on inhabited islands, resorts and diving sites are a concern that needs to address. The reclamation and coastal protection of reclaimed land would have socio-economic benefits to the central region of the Maldives. The socio-economic benefit outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the Guriadhoo especially allowing more land to further expand the urban centre development of Guriadhoo as a regional centre. Mitigation measures for these anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, including sedimentation and stagnation control methods and measures for minimizing negative effects of generation of waste. These mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The details of the project have been established based on the landuse plan. Alternative locations and alternative designs have been investigated for the different components of the project. However, the present project design seems to be a feasible option in terms of costs, durability and safety. An environmental management plan with environmental monitoring has been developed including the most important elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component need to adhered to and would allow to assess the changes due to the reclamation of additional land at Guriadhoo lagoon. Although the project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts, such impacts are predicted to be not severe as to not undertake the project in accordance with the landuse plan. The project is justifiable in light of the socio-economic conditions and anticipated benefits resulting from the project, which seem to outweigh the negative environmental impacts.