| Abstract: | This is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report carried out for Kodhipparu Investment
Pvt. Ltd to develop and operate a three star resort development in Kodhipparu Island located in North
Malé Atoll. The proposed project includes development of 108 guest rooms and necessary
infrastructure to establish and operate the resort in Kodhipparu Island. The EIA was prepared as
fulfilment of the requirement by the Ministry Tourism (MoT) for granting permission for the project.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of development projects is a requirement by the
Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) (law 4/93) of the Government of the Republic
of Maldives.
The total cost of the proposed project is approximately 15 million USD. The project will be developed
within 18 months. The project will create a relatively large number of direct and indirect employment
opportunities throughout the country. Therefore the project will significantly contribute to the
economic growth, particularly tourism sector, and other relevant socio-economic activities
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations
published by the Ministry of Environment and Energy 2012 and covers both negative and positive
environmental and socio-economic impact arising from the proposed project in Kodhipparu Island.
Major findings of this report are based on information gathered during the field inspection of both the
existing environment and possible effects of the project activities, through extensive literature review
and experiences gained from similar projects elsewhere in the Maldives.
The proposed project activity will take place in Kodhipparu Island (man-made island by accumulating
sand through use of coastal structures and reclamation). The island lies on an irregular shape reef,
with a deep lagoon at the center. Kodhipparu Island is located on the eastern end of the E-W oriented
Kodhipparu Falhu on the southwestern side of North Malé Atoll. Kodhipparu being located on the
southwester rim of the atoll it is exposed to high energy oceanic swells during the southwest monsoon
and refracted, reflected and regenerated indirect fetch waves during the northeasterly monsoon. Due
to the exposure of Kodhipparu reef to the direct oceanic waves during southwest monsoon the calmest
area within the Falhu is on the eastern end. Hence Mr.Ali Fulhu who started constructing the island
was aware that the eastern end of the reef is the most stable area with the least energy within
Kodhipparu Falhu. The fact that Kodhipparu Island being a man-made island it does not have a proper
soil layer with humus content. Most of the existing plant species are very young and introduced by the
workers in order to stabilize the cay and hold sediments. Most of the vegetation consists of very basic
salt and spray tolerant coastal plants, dominated mainly with, Scaevola sp. Tournafortia sp. Pemphis
sp. and some coastal shrubs. Recently planted beach hibiscus, coconut trees, and Thespesia sp exist at
the central part of the island. Love birds and parrots are being introduced and reared at the island in
cages. Shorebirds and seabirds were known to visit the island. Two species of reptiles were observed,
these were the mourning gecko (Lapidodactylus lugubris) and the garden lizard (Calotes versicolor).
The overall reef of Kodhipparu reef is not in a good condition. Generally the live coral cover does not
exceed 10% in any part of the surveyed area and consists of coral mainly branching and table corals.
Percentage of dead coral was found to be very high 30-75% in most areas, particularly on the northern
and northwestern side. The water in Kodhipparu is highly saline and not usable for washing or
gardening. At present fresh water on the island is transported from Malé and supplemented by the
rainwater catchments.
During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the
possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in
Kodhipparu. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational
phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or
indirectly as a result of project activities. The report has identified and described in detail possible change that would occur to the existing
condition of the environment caused during the construction phase and have suggested appropriate
mitigation measures for each and every impact identified in the report. Sedimentation and increase in
suspended sediment level in the water, has been identified as the most significant negative
environmental impact that could be associated with the entrance clearance. Liquid, solid and other
forms of wastes and particularly hazardous waste generated during the construction and operational
phase has also been identified as significant impact associated with the project and appropriate
mitigation measures are suggested for each and every waste related impact identified in the study.
The study has evaluated alternative options for some components of the project and has suggested
some modifications for resort layout and landscaping. Also the report found, based on the similar
project activities elsewhere in the Maldives, the island and the reef will recover from the expected
impacts rapidly and will re-establish a new ecological balance soon. However the report has come-up
with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring the environmental changes
associated with the development and make necessary adjustment to the activities of the project based
on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan.
The report has identified the following beneficial effects form resort development in Kodhipparu:
Increased direct employment and training opportunities;
Better guardianship of the terrestrial and marine resources of Kodhipparu Island;
Improvements in environmental quality of the island;
Stimulation of local economy, cultivation and small business opportunities within the nearby
island communities; and
Increased government revenue and increased GDP.
The report found no evidence that the resort development in Kodhipparu requires or involves any of
the following environmental or socio-economic impacts.
loss of unique habitat or wilderness areas;
resettling of local communities;
removing or destroying cultural properties;
contravening national government of the Republic of Maldives, or island community policies,
regulations, criteria, customs or aspirations concerning environment, economy, employment,
cultural traditions or life styles.
On the basis this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures
proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it
is concluded that the benefits of the planned development in Kodhipparu Island will substantially
outweigh its imposition on the environment. |
