Environmental impact assessment for the reclamation and expansion at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Hulhulhé, Kaafu Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study (EIA) undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Maldives Airports Company Limited. This EIA report covers for reclamation and Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) expansion project. The reclamation component is to reclaim additional 86 hectares of land at Hulhulhe and undertake coastal protection. The eight hundred and sixty five thousand cubic meters of the fill materials for the reclamation would be borrowed using Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) from borrow sites to be identified by dredging contractor. Reclaimed land would be projected with 9,483 m of coastal protection using various materials. The INIA expansion component includes development of second runway east of existing runway, development of a new terminal building on western side of the island and creation of a new fuel farm. The Ibrahim Nasir International Airport is located on the Hulhulé Island which is formed on a large reef in the south eastern side of North Malé Atoll. The Hulhulé Island was reclaimed and constructed in year 1964 for creation of airport and now services the majority of visitors to Maldives. Hulhulé Island is located at about 6km North-East of Male’. Hulhumalé and Farukolhufushi islands are also located in the same reef system. The expansion and modernization Project will increase both the number and efficiency of the aircraft gates, and increase and reallocate the terminal building to achieve higher effective capacity. The project aims at optimizing the airport landside and airside areas and thereby limiting the environmental impact. The sustainable designing approach is to have an efficient runways & taxiway system design along with modern architecture for the International Airport. Environmental impacts of the project were assessed. The reclamation of the shallow lagoon around Hulhulhe would have an impact on the marine environment of the island however, it is not seen that this would be an irreversible impact on the island environment. The impacts of the project result mainly from reclamation work result from sedimentation and changing morphology of the island. During dredging and reclamation activity, impact of sedimentation on inhabited islands, nearby resort and diving sites are a concern that needs to be addressed. The reclamation and coastal protection of reclaimed land would facilitate to undertake the expansion project at INIA. This project would have socio-economic benefits to the Maldives. The socio-economic benefit outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the Hulhulhe especially allowing more land to further expand and develop the island as a modern international airport. Mitigation measures for the anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, including sedimentation and stagnation control methods and measures for minimizing negative effects of generation of waste. These mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The details of the project have been established based on the physical development plan that had been developed for INIA. Alternative locations and alternative designs have been investigated for the different components of the project. Further studies need to be carried out to weigh whether the present project design is feasible in terms of costs, durability and safety. An environmental management plan with environmental monitoring has been developed including key elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component need to adhere to and would allow assessing the changes due to the reclamation of additional land at Hulhulhe lagoon. The project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts to the natural environment of the island. However such impacts do not prevent undertaking the project in accordance with the existing plan developed for the INIA. Detail studies need to be undertaken to have a clear understanding of the present condition of the environment and landuse patterns that could facilitate developing a master plan that would help to develop the airport expansion to meet and cater for the future demand.