Environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation at Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed reclamation of 100,000 sq. ft. of land on the northern side of the island between the two existing harbour areas in Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll. The borrow area has been identified to be the old access channel. The project is proposed by Nilandhoo Island Council and the EIA is undertaken by Sandcays as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. The total volume of sand required will be approximately 28,000m3. The existing old access channel would be the primary borrow area, which is approximately 30m wide and 320m long. The average depth of the area is about 3m and dredging the channel up to 6m would result in about 29,000m3 of sand which would be sufficient enough for the proposed reclamation work. The reclaimed area will also be protected by grout bags. Around 100 mature trees, mostly coconut palms will be transplanted from location of the proposed housing project. These plants are scheduled for removal in the near future and only those plants that are removed under the housing project will be transplanted in the proposed reclamation area. The project is targeted at improving the environmental health conditions of the people of Nilandhoo by improved landuse planning. Nilandhoo is predominantly fishing village where fish is cooked and dried for sale in the local and potential international markets. There is daily, continuous processing (cooking, smoking and drying) just next to the residential area, which has resulted in several complaints from people who are not involved in the fish processing industry. The main complaint had been that of unpleasant smell. Therefore, the Council has decided to move this industrial process a little further from the residential area in order to address this issue as well as to provide additional opportunities for those who seek land for the same or similar activities. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as positive resulting mainly from improved environmental health, increased economic activities, direct and indirect employment opportunities, increase in related business ventures, and so on. The main negative environmental impact of the project is identified to be the possible movement of low levels of sediment towards the reef. The movement and settlement of fine sediments are expected to occur on the reef flat, which is mainly dead. There may be some sediment movement on to the reef slope and edge. This would be negligible due to the small volume of dredge material and undertaking of mitigation measures such as bunding the reclamation area prior to filling. Therefore, the environmental impacts of the project are considered to be of minor negative. The impact matrices done for the project indicates a net positive impact. During the construction phase, it is vital to undertake daily in-situ monitoring of total suspended solids and turbidity to ensure that water quality criteria are met and sedimentation on the reef does not occur. In addition, monitoring of shoreline changes, water quality and drogues shall be undertaken for about a year. It is recommended to incorporate these into an island-wide monitoring programme, which is not within the scope of this EIA report. In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed project to reclaim a small area of land on the northern side of the island.