Addendum to environment impact assessment for the resorts development at maavelaavaru, Noonu Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental study undertaken as an Addedum to the Environmental Impact Assessment carried out for the resort development project at Maavelavaru Island. This environmental studies has been undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for the construction of 40 new water villas on southern side of Maavelavaru. This project is proposed by Athama Investment Pvt Ltd. Athama Investment is currently developing Maavelavaru as a luxury resort island. Maavelavaru is located western rim of Noonu Atoll approximately 183 km north of Malé. The developer is proposing to add additional 40 standard villas on southern side of the island to reflect the current market trends. Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture approved the proposed water villa development on southern side of the island. This EIA Addendum report has identified that the major impacts of the project will be felt on the marine environment since new water villa construction will take place in the lagoon. Impacts on the marine environment will be felt through sedimentation and siltation caused by the construction activities on the lagoon and the associated indirect impacts on the coral reef, during this period. Baseline data has, therefore, been collected in order to monitor the changes to the marine environment which will be identified in follow up monitoring reports. The most significant impact will be felt on the lagoon bottom, rather than the coral reef. Alternatives to the project have also been considered in detail and several alternatives to the proposed project were considered, including alternative methods of water villa construction. Once alternative that has been suggested is to construct the water villas on large but minimal number of columns. Other alternatives considered include alternative locations and construction strategy. Due to various reasons, these alternatives have not been considered. The advantages and disadvantages of these alternatives have been discussed and they include environmental as well as financial reasons. Therefore, several design considerations, although initially were considered, has been rejected due to these reasons. Towards, the end of the report, a monitoring programme has been suggested which mainly covers the marine environment. These include coral cover and marine water quality among many other parameters. As the impacts are felt on the marine environment, it is important to undertake this monitoring