| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the proposed resort
development project in Muravandhoo Island, Raa Atoll. Muravandhoo Island was initially leased
for tourism in 2011 in conjunction with the proposed airport development project in Ifuru. In
addition, a resort and a marina were to be developed in Madivaafaru Island. Both these islands
were awarded on the condition that Ifuru Island Airport be operational before the resort opens.
Ifuru airport is nearing completion and is scheduled to open in mid-2014. The proponent of this
project is Ifuru Investments Pvt Ltd. The project is a joint venture between the Government of
Maldives and Ifuru Investments to partly to ensure that the Ifuru airport is operation and partly to
ensure that more beds are operational in Raa Atoll.
The main rationale for the project is to develop tourism in the outer atolls of the Maldives to
increase the tourism bed capacity and their contribution to the local and national economic
growth. Tourism development lags behinds in Raa Atoll and this project is expected to increase
the speed of development in the atoll. The objective of this project is to develop and operate a
five star resort on Muravandhoo Island.
The project broadly involves the development and operation of a stand-alone 200 bed resort. The
proposed project covers seven main components: construction of island transport infrastructure;
construction of the back-of-the-house and administrative infrastructure; construction of guest
rooms; construction of guest facilities; construction of utilities – sewerage, power and water
infrastructure; landscaping and; resort operations. The project is estimated to take 24 months to
complete.
All project designs are 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, Decentralization Act, Tourism
Act, tourism resort development regulations, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation
2012, Waste Management Regulation, Regulation on Cutting Down and Uprooting Trees and
Dewatering Regulation. Approvals have been granted for the concept by the Ministry of
Tourism. Further approvals are required before construction and operations.
It is a small island approximately 485 m long and 300 m wide (at its widest point), and has a
land area of approximately 9.9 Ha within low tide line in March 2014. The island is generally in
pristine condition, apart from its terrestrial environment. Parts of its vegetation are mature with
areas of coconut dominated forests and sub littoral thickets. Most of the coconut palms and a
number of other trees have been planted. The water quality is poor. There are naturally occurring
deep areas allowing easy access to the island. Its reef condition is best on the northern side but
the southern side is in moderately good condition as well.
The beach environment on the eastern and southern side is in poor condition with very limited
dry beach and ongoing erosion. Severe erosion is prevalent on the Southwest areas of the island
and the Northeast corner. Erosion mitigation and beach mitigation will be required.
The negative impacts from this project are typical impacts associated with resort development in
Maldives. The most significant impact from this project during construction stage would be the
damage to coral reef doe to over water construction activities, removal of limited vegetation,
excavation and dewatering, changes to coastal processes due to coastal developments,
degradation of the terrestrial and marine environment due to the worker activities, lost marine
life due to overwater construction and disposal of waste. Main social impacts include potential
conflicts with the atoll public if equal job opportunity is not available for construction stage or
operations stage of the resort.
Negative impacts during operations stage are the impacts on marine flora and fauna due to
potentially high number of vessels using the lagoon, impacts on the beach due significant
erosion and accretion patterns and social impacts associated with foreign workers or general lack
of opportunities.
Apart from the impacts from this project on the environment, the coastal environment itself will
have a major impact on the project itself. Erosion is likely to continue and if left unprotected, it
will pose challenges and economic losses for the operation of the property. Beach will have to be
created artificially in some areas to use the proposed beach villas as classified. If the coastal
structures are erected, it will reduce the aesthetic beauty of the island and will permanently alter
the coastal processes.
The project mainly has positive socio-economic benefits, including increased direct and indirect
job opportunities and tourism growth.
The key mitigation measures proposed for the construction stage include finding options to
mitigate severe erosion on the island. A number of mitigation measures have been proposed in
this assessment to mitigate the most significant impacts associated with the development,
including reef clearance, worker activities, vegetation removal, marine construction, excavation
works and utilities operation.
Alternative options were evaluated for the activities that are identified to have significant
impacts on the project. Alternative options have been proposed mitigate erosion and preference
has been given to shore protection and consideration to undertake beach replenishment.
Alternative options assessment for beach replenishment showed that more detailed assessments
are required and additional approvals are recommended once more details are available. An
alternative jetty has also been recommended on the south as the northern side may not be
accessible year-round.
Consultations were held with the island councils and public of Ugoofaaru, Dhuvaafaru and
Maakurathu. This project has strong support from the island communities and all site plans have
been seen by the Island Councils. There is a general dissatisfaction due to the slow pace of resort
development projects in the atoll.
The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 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.
Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical environment as well as
operational aspects of the resort. The total cost of mitigation and monitoring are estimated
between US$15,000 per year.
The main conclusion of this report is to move forward with the proposed development after with
the proposed alternatives and the suggested mitigation measures. |
