Environmental impact assessment for the reconstruction of a harbour in Maabaidhoo Island, Laamu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. The project involves reconstruction of a harbour at the island of Maabaidhoo in, Laamu Atoll. This project is initiated by the government of Maldives as part of its national programme to provide safe harbours to each and every inhabited island in Maldives. Presently, the lack of an appropriate harbour is not only the biggest obstacles faced by the islanders, but the reason why the economic growth of the island is not expanding and diversified. Lack of an appropriate harbour has many development obstacles for islands and similarly, Maabaidhoo is also faced with similar dilemma. At present, the islanders depend on favourable weather conditions to get on and off the island. In rough weather, getting in and out of the island is difficult. In south west monsoon, due to lack of an breakwater make the harbour difficult to use and moore the boats. The proposed project is therefore geared towards developing a third generation harbour on the western side of the island at the existing foot print of the harbour. This harbour is expected to ease many of the challenges faced by the islanders, especially for the vessel owners, as safe mooring will be guaranteed. An environmental assessment was undertaken for this project and the findings are reported in this EIA. This EIA has been prepared to assess the environmental impacts of this proposed harbour reconstruction project. As this is a redevelopment project, significant negative impacts on the marine environment will not be felt through habited modification and direct destruction of the marine environment. Similarly, the coral reef will also be not directly and indirectly impacted from this project. At the same time, the socio-economic impacts of the project will be significantly felt on a very larger group, and not necessarily the islanders only. In such projects, environmental damage cannot be avoided and hence the goal should be to undertake the works in the most least damaging manner. As some area of the marine and coastal environment will be affected, careful implementation of mitigation measures and adopting methods which minimizes damage will be key for this project. Most of these measures are best practice guidelines and protocols that does not require a lot of money to implement. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the island council and the client in order to incorporate the socio-economic components in the project. Stakeholders, most importantly the island community represented by the Island council was the most significant as they have the maximum knowledge and experience from the daily difficulties faced due to lack of a harbour. The redevelopment of the harbour at Maabaidhoo will have some environmental impacts to the island, most of which will be felt on the coastal and the marine environment. The island had been facing erosion since the existing harbour was developed in early 90s. However, natural erosion of the island has been affected to the southern. The biggest threat to islands when a harbour is developed is the disruption it causes to the natural movement of the beach. The social impacts of this project will be significant and will benefit the community as well as the region. The development of a harbour in Maabaidhoo is expected to increase the annual visitor numbers significantly which will have numerous environmental impacts. Therefore, it is justifiable to undertake this project.