| Abstract: | Mr. Abbas Waheed of H. Finimaage Aage proposes to develop an 11-Storey Building at H.
Finimaage found in Block 21 on Bodufungandu Magu in Male’. The development comprises
of 18 apartments, a car park at the ground floor and a shop at the basement. The total built-up
area will be 1,020ft2 and the remaining 38ft2 will be left as open space. The basement will
have an area of 617.85ft2.
This EIA Report has been prepared in compliance fulfillment of the Environmental
Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93) and the Schedule D of the EIA
Regulations 2012 towards getting environmental clearance to implement the project.
In order to understand existing environmental conditions of the proposed project area,
assessments have been undertaken including ambient noise levels, traffic volume and
movement, groundwater, vegetation, physical condition of the surrounding buildings and
roads were assessed.
The highest noise levels recorded were from the southern side of the plot at the junction of
Bodufungandu Magu and Burevi Magu having 53dB. The noise level in front of the plot is
49dB. The traffic flow is from south to north by the proposed plot and the majority of the
traffic volume is motor cycles. An hourly flow of 52 motorcycles have been recorded.
There is no vegetation found within the plot as it is entirely covered with an existing building.
The adjacent plots including Finimaage, Meydhamaizandhoshuge, Elnilum and Elpaso all
have existing buildings and there are no vegetation found in the immediate surrounding areas
either.
There are two existing buildings found adjacent to the proposed plot. A 5 storey building
found in Finimaage located on the south of the plot and 2 storey and 3 storey blocks found in
Meydhamaizandhoshuge located on the north of the plot. The entire plot has an existing
building, most of which are single storey. However, two small areas within the plot presently
have two storeys used for residential purpose. The condition of the road Bodufungandu
Magu in which the plot is found was observed to be in good condition. No cracks or physical
damages were observed.
The environmental impacts that may be associated with the proposed project are predicted
and assumed in the EIA Report. These environmental impacts are divided into construction
phase and operation phase environmental impacts. Most of the construction phase
environmental impacts are believed to occur from demolition, excavation, dewatering,
construction activities, operation of construction machinery and vehicles and construction
waste disposal. The main environmental impacts believed to occur during operation phase of
the project include household waste and increased traffic.
As part of the proposed project, a number of mitigation measures have been proposed in the
EIA Report including using corrugated sheets supported by iron beams as a safety measure
for protecting the excavated area for foundation, dewatering will be undertaken upon
approval from EPA, while preparing the site ready for construction, measures such as
installation of safety and dust protection nets, appropriate signage will be placed to make
aware people on the development. Also, important mitigation measures that will be
implemented include complete elimination of waste disposal during construction and
operation stages of the development into the project boundaries.
Although during construction of the project, negative environmental impacts from
construction activities have been envisaged, with appropriate environmental management and
mitigation measures, these impacts will be reduced to a considerable level. Also, with
positive socio-economic outlook of the project and considering the overall importance of
residential units in Male’ to alleviate housing stress, it is concluded that the project should go
ahead as planned. |
