| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Bank (WB) to
implement the proposed Community-based Wetland Management Plan (CBWMP) and more
specifically the proposed construction and operation of the ecotourism activities within the plan.
The CBWMP focuses on better managing the “Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey” protected area of
Hithadhoo Island in Addu City through participation from the community. This project is part of
the Wetland Conservation and Coral Reef Monitoring for Adaption to Climate Change (WCCM)
Project being implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, under a multi-donor
Maldives Climate Change Trust Fund, administered by World Bank. The proponent of this
project is the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). The term Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) and Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is used
interchangeably in this report. However, this report does not equate to a Social Impact
Assessment as used by EPA.
The main rationale for the project is to practically implement the declared protected area for the
Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey by developing an enforcing a proper management plan. The vision
of the CBWMP is to “conserve and enhance nationally significant wetland and marine habitats
and biodiversity while providing opportunities for sustainable economic and ecological benefits
to the local community”. The long-term objectives of the plan are: (i) the preservation and
enhancement of the natural assets of the area as a contribution to the global biodiversity
conservation; (ii) the recognition of these natural assets as an added value for the development of
new and alternative sustainable socio‐economic activities, in particular ecotourism, and: (iii) to
develop an innovative demonstration model for managing and conserving valuable wetland
ecosystems ensuring a durable community involvement.
The project broadly involves creation of a management plan or the CBWMP. It proposes a
modification to the existing EPA Directive defining the zoning for the Eidhigali Kilhi and
Koattey protected area, including the creation of two core areas and two marine buffer zones. It
also proposes a work programme for the CBWMP which covers seven main components:
administrative; provision of facilities and equipment; conservation programme; public use and
outreach; livelihoods programme; socio-economic promotion and development; and research
and monitoring.
This EIA (ESIA) is mainly concerned with the proposed construction works under the plan and
the operation of visitor facilities. More specifically, the scope of activities covered in this EIA
are the construction of the Visitor Centre, board walk, bird observatories, viewpoints, picnic
area, ranger huts, removal of existing waste, installation of mooring buoys on the reef and the
operation of these facilities.
All project activities will be 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, General Laws Act 4/68, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012, Waste
Management Regulation, Regulation on Cutting Down and Uprooting Trees and Dewatering
Regulation.
The project requires meeting the World Bank Safeguard Policies to ensure that Bank operations
do not harm the people and the environment. The WB’s Operational Policies (OP) that are
deemed applicable to this project are: (i) Environmental Assessment: OP/BP 4.01; (ii) Natural
Habitats: OP 4.04; and (iii) Physical Cultural Resources: OP 4.11.
Hithadhoo Island is the second largest island in the Maldives and contains two of the largest
wetland in any island of Maldives. The northern wetland Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey area has
been declared a protected area in 2004.
The protected area has been modified through human activities such as changes to vegetation,
farming activities and mining activities. Current activities in the area having a negative impact
on the environment include illegal sand mining, illegal waste disposal and improper farming
activities. The proposed management plan is designed address these issues.
The proposed site for visitor centre contains vegetation cover including medium sized coconut
trees and other bush plants. These trees will have to be removed or relocated. The visitor centre
is located outside the protected area boundary. The proposed visitor facilities within the
boundary such as the boardwalk, viewpoints and fencing will not require removal of trees as
they can be adjusted to avoid the trees.
Significant impacts from this project during construction phase are the potential impact of
dewatering and excavation; potential impacts on groundwater quality due to contamination;
impacts from disposal of waste; noise and vibration impacts on fauna; impacts on terrestrial
environment due to vegetation removal; impacts on marine environment due to marine buoy
installation; health and safety risks to construction workers.
The main anticipated negative impacts during operations stage are the impacts on flora and fauna
due to potentially higher visitor numbers and potential discontent from the some public groups
due to inability to use the protected area for commercial purposes.
The project mainly has positive socio-economic benefits, including increased direct and indirect
job opportunities, tourism growth and conservation of the island’s iconic environment.
Key mitigation measures for the construction stage include working during daytime, relocation
of large trees, avoiding removal of any trees from protected area boundary, proper waste
management, installation of a suitable septic tank system, awareness programmes and ensuring
health and safety during construction
The alternatives evaluated for the project are alternative foundation laying methods. The “No
Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the
current condition of the site.
This project has strong support from the island community and all site plans have been seen and
approved by the City Council. There is a general dissatisfaction due to the slow pace of the
project.
The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMF) 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. The framework also defines communications mechanisms, training,
stakeholder engagement plan, including the Grievance Redress Mechanism, and health and
safety management plan.
Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the terrestrial environment of the island
groundwater quality, noise levels, occupational health and safety, waste, vegetation cover and
socio-economic indicators, as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project.
The total cost of mitigation and monitoring are estimated between Rf75,000-100,000, depending
on the need for dewatering and tree relocations to distant parts of the island.
In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations
of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts on terrestrial
environment. However, mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimise these
significant impacts and the proposed ESMF defines the mechanisms to implement and monitor
these measures. |
