| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out the proposed harbour
development project in Hirimaradhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll. The proponent of this project is
Ministry of Housing & Infrastructure.
The main rationale for the project is to improve the access facilities of Hirimaradhoo Island to
facilitate improvement in the social and economic condition of the island. The island does not
have a harbour and the development of the fishing and transport sectors of the island requires of
safe access and anchorage.
This project mainly involves dredging a 61 m × 122 m harbour, a 24 m × 73 m entrance channel,
associated seawall and quaywall. Due to the lack of space within the reef, the harbour has to be
constructed partly within the existing dry land. Thus, the scope of works also involves clearing
vegetation in an 8300 sq m area and dredging part of the land.
All project activities will be in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and
relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations
applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act and Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulation 2012.
The island coastal environment has not been heavily modified, except for two entrance channels.
The coral cover is in moderately healthy condition. The dominant benthic substrate of the
footprint is mainly dead corals. The vegetation required to be removed may be in the range of
3500 trees.
Significant impacts of this project during construction phase of the project are the loss of
vegetation cover, potential impact of sedimentation on the marine water quality and consequent
impact on marine life, direct loss of marine life within the project footprint, potential impacts on
ground water and the health and safety risks to construction workers. All these impacts can be
minimized with proper mitigation measures recommended in the report
The main mitigation measures include carrying out construction activities during low tide hours
and calm weather, construction of bunds on the western side before any excavation from the
land, and avoid adverse sedimentation impacts, relocation of live coral recruits to locations with
similar conditions, and proper supervision of all activities by qualified personnel. The work
schedule and duration will also be planned to avoid disruptive weather conditions and complete
construction activities in the shortest time possible. The alternatives evaluated for the project are dredging methods; dredge waste disposal sites and
alternative harbour layout. The “No Project” option has also been explored and this option is not
deemed preferable, given the current condition of the harbour and the need for expansion. A
change to harbour layout is proposed and preferred on environmental grounds. The use of
excavator on a temporary sand bed is the preferred option for alternative dredging method, since
it is the most common, practical and cost-effective method.
This project has strong support from the island community and all site plans have been seen and
approved by the Island Council.
Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the coral reef environment of the island,
coastal changes and depth variations of harbour area as well the marine water quality as these are
the key areas that will be impacted from this project.
The management plan for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated
impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for
monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition provide evidence of
compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities.
In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations
of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts on the marine
water quality, coral reef and lagoon bottom habitats. However, mitigation measures have been
proposed to adequately minimise these significant impacts |
