Environmental impact assessment : B. Thulhaadhoo harbour rehabilitation project

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the proposed harbour rehabilitation project at B. Thulhaadhoo. B. Thulhaadhoo is located southern side of Baa Atoll. The island economy depends mainly on fisheries and tourism related works. Thulhaadhoo is famous for lacquer works. The existing harbour at the island is the borrow site for the previous reclamation project. There is a concrete quay wall constructed on the land side and rock boulder revetment on both sides of the harbour. There is no breakwater in the harbour. Hence the proposed project is to construct a 545 m breakwater in the harbour. Land side quay walls will not be replaced under this project. However new quay walls will be built on both east and west side of the harbour replacing the revetments there. In addition to this, entrance channel will be deepened. The dredged material from this project will be used to reclaim the area that adjoins the side quay walls and land. Approximately 26,100.95 cbm material will be produced during this project. Environmental impacts of the project were assessed. The impacts of the project result mainly from excavation of the entrance channel and disposal of excavated materials. The impact of excavation would be that of sedimentation. This impact is considered to be minor and short-term. The impact of breakwater construction is it will damage lagoon bottom area where the breakwater will be placed. This will be a long term impact. The socio-economic benefits of the project may be considered to outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the island especially increasing the usable space on the quay wall, mooring area at the island’s harbour and additional land that would be available to develop fish processing industry. The proposed project conforms to prevalent environmental legislation and thrives to achieve its objectives in an environmentally friendly manner. 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 demolition of the quay wall and the generation of construction waste. These mitigation measures need to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The details of the project have been established after considering the needs and requirements of the community by assessing and incorporating the outcomes from the community consultations held during the data collection stage. The EIA also allowed to explore the best possible alternatives for the proposed development and identified key mitigation strategies. 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 plan has been developed including important elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component will be adhered to and will allow the assessment of changes due to construction of the harbour. Although the project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts, such impacts are not severe as to not undertake the project. The project is justifiable in light of the socioeconomic conditions and anticipated benefits resulting from the project, which seem to outweigh the negative environmental impacts.