Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4492
Title: Environmental impact assessment for the proposed development of Southwest Harbour Male’ City Maldives
Authors: Sandcays
Keywords: Project description
Legislation and regulations
Existing environment
stakeholder consultations
Significant impacts and mitigation measures
Project alternatives
Environmental monitoring
Issue Date: Oct-2015
Citation: Sandcays. (2015). Environmental impact assessment for the proposed development of Southwest Harbour Male’ City Maldives. Male': Maldives
Abstract: This report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development of Male’ Southwest harbour. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. At present, Male’ city is overcrowded with numerous industrial operations right in the middle of residential areas. Among the numerous social and environment issues faced by the large community of Male’ city is waste management and pollution. The project aims at developing the southwest harbour so that some of the industrial work is relocated out of residential areas and provide a dedicated area for transfer of waste from Male’ area to Thilafushi. The proposed project entails reclamation of 3.7Ha at the southwest harbour and maintenance dredging of south harbour. In addition, a new access channel will be provided to allow access to southern harbour. Material for reclamation is to be obtained from maintenance dredging of harbours in the greater Male’ region, demolition waste from west coast development project and dredging activity at Gulhifalhu. There are very few practical alternatives to the proposed project; alternatives to dredge material and dredge areas are assessed in the report. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as positive resulting mainly from improved socio-economic situation of Male’. The main negative environmental impact of the project is identified to be the possible movement of low to moderate levels of sediment on the reef during channel dredging and reclamation. Movement and settlement of fine sediments are expected to occur on the reef flat to a small degree. However, effects of this would not be severe as sediment plume is not expected to last longer and live coral cover at the location is minimal. In addition, temporary inconvenience to vessels using the harbour area is predicted during construction phase. Overall, the negative environmental impacts of the project are short-term and of moderate significance while long term socio-economic benefits are numerous. Hence the impact matrices done for the project indicates a net positive impact. Impact mitigation measures are few. In order to mitigate inconvenience to users of harbour during construction, an alternative location for their use for the duration of construction phase is proposed. In addition, bunds around reclamation area and creating settlement ponds are also suggested to reduce spread of sediment plume during construction phase of the project. Regular environmental monitoring and reporting is an essential element of the EIA process. During the construction phase, in-situ monitoring of total suspended solids and turbidity is usually undertaken in harbour and reclamation projects to ensure that water quality criteria are met and sedimentation on the reef does not occur. It is recommended to incorporate these into an island-wide monitoring programme, which is not within the scope of this EIA report. In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view to carry out the proposed project to develop southwest harbour of Male’ city. However, before start of construction phase, the consultants recommend evaluating alternative dredge material option proposed in this report; as use of demolition waste from Male’ buildings is likely to reduce cost of project.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4492
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Environment A


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