Abstract: | This Environmental Impact Assessment Report is prepared for the proposed harbor
expansion project to meet the requirement of Maldives EIA regulation and ADBs Safeguards
Policy Statement. With financial assistance from ADB this project is an initiative by the
Government of Maldives (GoM) to expand harbor capacity in Kulhudhuffushi, Ha Dhaal
atoll, with a view to improving maritime access and connectivity and fostering urban and
regional development in Kulhudhuffushi and the Northern region.
The Consultant prepared the scope of EIA with support from ADB‟s environmental
Safeguards officer assigned to this project. The final ToR for the project was issued by the
EPA on 27th December 2015.
The proposed project consists of three components, reclamation, passenger/cargo harbor
and a waterfront Small Craft Zone area including a separation wall. These structure and
facilities are located in an artificially created shoreline and shallow lagoon between
Kulhudhuffushi port (south end) and existing harbor (north end).
The proposed works under this project includes the following components:
1. Area 1 Reclamation
2. Area 2 Reclamation
3. Waterfront and Small Craft Zone Area with a Harbor separation wall
4. Passenger/Cargo Harbor
These structure and facilities are located in an artificially created shoreline and shallow
lagoon between Kulhudhuffushi port (south end) and existing harbor (north end). In addition
to dredging, reclamation, quay-wall and other civil works on basic infrastructure, operational
port infrastructure (sometimes referred to as infrastructure-plus) includes facilities necessary
for the safe operation of the harbor. Depending on the type, size, and use of the harbor, the
scope and type of operational port infrastructure can vary widely. The main requirements for
the passenger-cargo harbor in terms of operational port infrastructure are:
Navigation lights
Timber jetty
Harbor pavement, drainage and apron lights
Small passenger terminal
Harbor markets
Building for business and commerce activities
The duration of the project in terms of construction period is estimated as 18 months. An
independent contractor will carry out construction of the harbor expansion works where
workforce is considered as mix of both locals and expatriates.
Baseline environmental data for environmental components that are likely to affect were
collected during field visits to the site on November 2015 and January 2016. These included
information on changes to the shoreline of the proposed development area, shoreline profiles,
bathymetry of the proposed dredging and reclamation areas, seawater quality at project
impact areas and a control site, status of coral reef adjacent to impact area that included status
of the coral community, fish community. In addition assessment of sea grass community that
would be almost entirely affected was also carried out. In addition to this socio economic
profile of the island community was also assessed that included concerns and community
need with regard to expansion of the harbor facility.
Significant environmental components of the project that are likely to affect because of the
implementation of various activities are, deterioration of seawater quality, damage to coral
community through direct impact of dredging and reclamation, indirect impacts such as
effects of sedimentation and turbidity. Average coral cover both at residual impact area and
control site was 20%. Coral community diversity was not high. Diversity and abundance of
fish community was normal and similar to marine habitats in the Maldives. The project
impact area was screened through field assessment and literature review for presence of any
nationally and internationally protected species or habits. Only one individual of Hawksbill
sea turtle was encountered during the field survey. No protected species other than a single
turtle were found in the project area and residual boundary.
Impact on sea grass community from dredging and reclamation is expected to be the
highest since the proposed location for harbor basin will impact sea grass community.
Approximately 2 hectares of sea grass area in the shallow lagoon will be thus affected. It is
noted that this sea grass patch is a remnant of a large sea grass bed in the same location prior
to reclamation works in 2010. There is another sea grass area in the shallow lagoon on the
northern side of the existing harbor, which will not be affected by proposed expansion works.
The severity of impacts through application of Leopold matrix based on major impact
areas varies from minor to moderate based on the size and time frame associated with the
project construction phase. Major impact areas identified are coral reef, seawater quality and
sea grass bed. Environmental mitigation measures on reducing identified impacts are
addressed in the report. These include construction of a bund wall around the proposed
dredging for harbor basin. Alternatively silt screen can also be placed so that sediments from
dredging and reclamation can be confined to the impact area ensuring impact reduction in
project adjacent and residual impact areas. Since none of the impact areas are identified as
critical or endangered habits at local or national level, no measures to compensate for loss of
these habitats were suggested. Post construction phase of the project is likely to cause only
minor impacts to the seawater quality and waste management. Mitigation measures proposed
through application of local standards and use of available facilities will further minimize
these impacts. Appropriate environmental monitoring program and activities are scheduled to
ensure compliance to environmental mitigation measures and monitoring. An institutional
arrangement has been proposed for environmental compliance and grievance redresses
associated with the project that involve all relevant stakeholders.
Evaluation of project environmental components, impacts of the project on these
components and their magnitude have indicated that the impacts are minor and manageable.
Hence it can be concluded that the project is feasible with very limited impacts on natural
environment. The positive benefits of the project from a socio economic perspective far over
weighs the negative impacts. With the environmental impact mitigation measures proposed,
environmental monitoring appropriately carried out through the proposed institutional
arrangement further impacts that are not foreseen or addressed in this report can be managed. |