Environmental impact assessment for the proposed redevelopment of Helengeli Island Resort, North Male’ Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for the proposed redevelopment of Helengeli Island Resort in North Male‟ Atoll. The redevelopment of Helengeli resort is expected to increase the number of rooms, facilities and improve the standard of service. The island is situated at geographic coordinates 73°33'44.66"E,4°38'0.53"N, on the north-east rim of north Male‟ Atoll on its own reef. This reef system comprises of Helengeli island only. The reef is oriented in north-east to south-westerly direction. On either side of the reef are two channels both on the north and south. On the east, the reef is exposed to swells, winds and waves from the Indian Ocean creating harsh conditions on the eastern side of the island. The reef on the south of the island is a very large reef with an approximate length of 2.7 miles or 4.38 kilometers. There is a very small coral islet formed on the north edge of this reef which is uninhabited. Helengeli island is very narrow in general and some areas, especially towards the centre, is very narrow. Despite this, there are considerable amount of large mature trees in the island. The coastal vegetation in most areas comprise of Magoo and Kuredhi trees. The reef flat on the southern side measures approximately 150 meters from the shoreline to the reef slope at its widest point and 97 meters on the north side at its widest point. The island takes up more than 60 percent of the reef area which leaves very limited space for over water developments. In addition to this, most part of the north-east, east and south-east areas of the lagoon cannot be utilized for any over water development due to strong waves. These areas are exposed without any protection from a reef nor any island from the east, which makes it very challenging for over water developments. Helengeli Island Resort at present has 50 rooms in operation and with the upgrading works, the number of rooms will increase to 98. This includes 30 new lagoon villas (semi water villas) both on the north and the southern side. The remainder will be beach villas developed on the island itself. The island has not undergone upgrading works in the past 15 years and this redevelopment is expected to bring considerable change and upgrading to the built environment, environmental infrastructure and service quality. The proposed redevelopment consists of the following new space / buildings:  New reception / tea house.  68 Beach villas  30 lagoon villas (semi water villas)  Beach grill  Spa treatment rooms  Dive school / water sports  Restaurant extension  Main kitchen extension  Senior staff accommodation  Junior staff accommodation  Sewage treatment plant  Recycle house  Water tank  Fuel tanks The redevelopment aims to demolish some structures and build new structures in the same foot print; refurbish some structures and construct completely new structures. As the island does not have a lot of space, the existing building space will be utilised and the project therefore does not anticipate vegetation clearance or removing trees. A tree count undertaken in August indicates 291 mature coconut trees in the island, none of which is expected to be removed. However, small scale vegetation clearing is expected mainly through cutting overgrown branches and bushes to make construction easier. The redevelopment does not include any coastal protection and beach nourishment at this stage. There are certain areas around the island where beach has been managed using a combination of coastal protection structures. There is also a dredged harbour or a mooring basin with quay walls and landing areas which will be adequate for the construction period even to load and offload heavy machinery. Therefore these infrastructures will be used during the construction period, eliminating the need to dredge a harbour or channels for mobilization. Environmental impacts of the proposed redevelopment works have been examined through a number of processes. The report has identified that the impacts of the redevelopment process will mainly be felt on the terrestrial environment. There will also be impacts on the marine and coastal environment impacts are expected to be positive. Impacts on the marine environment will be felt through sedimentation and siltation caused by the construction activities on the lagoon during this period, most importantly during the construction of lagoon villas close to the beach. Impacts on the coastal environment will be felt as a result of developing lagoon villas on the eroded areas of the beach, which is expected to improve the conditions in these areas over the long term. Fortunately, the lagoon where the new lagoon villas will be developed does not contain much live corals and hence, direct damage to live corals is not expected during this activity. On the overall, the redevelopment process will have the greatest impacts during the construction period. Terrestrial impacts are not going to besignificant, as there will be very little or no vegetation clearance to make way for new structures. The resort‟s redevelopment plan have been designed and developed to upgrade the existing guest room that is by demolishing old rooms and building new rooms in the same foot print. This is the same for back of house buildings also. It is anticipated that environmental Impacts will be felt with the increasing demand for water and energy production. With the additional facilities and services offered, there will be a higher demand for energy. Production of increased amounts of water will require more energy and thus there will be an overall increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, the bulk of the impacts is expected during the construction period. Several mitigation measures have been identified including working in low tide hours, proper supervision and adjusting buildings to avoid cutting any mature trees. In addition, limiting construction to the minimum time period possible and a management and monitoring plan has also been identified as mitigation measures. These measures are proposed in order to mitigate the impacts on the coral reef and generally the marine environment. Finally, the report provides a conclusion nad outlines the alternatives, the mitigation measures and the environmental monitoring that will be undertaken in Helengeli Island Resort Resort.