| Abstract: | This report provides the finding of an environmental impact assessment conducted for the
proposal of an agricultural development at the island of Ungulu, Raa Atoll.
Environment Impact Assessment is required before undertaking any developmental project
such as agriculture development that may have a significant negative impact on the natural
environment of the island under Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. Hence,
this report is written to fulfill the legal obligations under the EIA regulation.
The project is proposed by Ms. Aasima Hassan and the island of R. Ungulu is also leased to
Ms. Aasima in 2016 to develop agricultural activities.
The proposed agricultural project, at Ungulu is based on production of high quality banana,
papaya and coconuts for supplying produce to surrounding resort islands. This project also
involves along with the establishment of commercial farming plots for banana, papaya and
coconut plantation, small scale goat husbandry and poultry farm, establishment of a fuel
reserve and infrastructure such as packing and storage facilities, utility facilities and staff
quarters. The proposed development would produce some of the imported fresh food locally
to reduce cost to consumers and also provide them with better quality goods. The proposed
project has the following major components:
Agro-Forestry: The concept of growing agricultural crops alongside forest trees, for
integrated farming systems
Banana (1100m2 plot), Papaya (1100m2 plot) and Coconut Plantation (3268m2 plot):
areas are dedicated to growing banana, papaya and coconut palms with some areas
allocated for native trees.
Goat Husbandry and Poultry Farm: Providing goats to buyers for religious festivals
and poultry products to the market.
Fuel Storage Tanks: to store fuel needed for the operation of the power plant in the
island
Ungulu agriculture development project is part of the embodiment of the Government’s vision
for promoting food security and to increase yield and optimum land use through improved
and high yielding crops and hybrid varieties, cultivation designed for more sustainable and
commercial scale agricultural produce such as year round banana produce and Maldivian
coconut produce.
The project would include infrastructure to support the project and land clearance for banana,
papaya and coconut plantation. This project involves the establishment of commercial
farming plots for banana, papaya and coconut plantation along with goat farm and poultry
farm and utility and other required infrastructure such as packing and storage facility and staff
accommodation.
Construction of the buildings will be kept to a minimum; staff accommodation, kitchen /
dining facilities will be constructed to accommodate about 20 people for the agricultural
works. A small harbor is to be constructed on the southern side of the island while a small
jetty will be constructed on the northern side of the island.
The baseline environmental conditions were assessed using standard methods. Environmental
impacts were identified and assessed for both construction phase and operational phase of the
project. Some of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as positive
resulting mainly from improved socio-economic conditions, increased economic activities in
Raa Atoll as a whole, direct and indirect employment opportunities, and increased business
opportunities. The main negative environmental impacts of the project are identified to be the
changes to the island ecosystem from clearance of vegetation and impact on the marine
environment from sedimentation due to harbor construction work. The main mitigation
measures for the proposed project would be that clearance take place only where necessary
and dredging activities be carried out within a short period of time. Septic tanks systems have
been proposed for disposing human waste and pose no long-term negative environmental
impact considering the small number of people expected to be based on the island.
The activities proposed in the project comply with the environmental laws of the
Maldives, its rules and regulations, including requirements of those agencies relevant to the
agricultural development works enforcement.
Alternatives have been identified in the project document. These include alternative for a
remote harbor in contrast to the proposed embedded design. Also, “no-development” option
was also analyzed so that the island could be used by local community as is currently being
used. However, upon closer analysis of these options, the proposed development of the island
for agricultural purpose was found to be more viable based on the present circumstances
under which the island has been leased. Therefore, the consultants propose exploring use of
alternative renewable sources to the proposed fuel based energy generation.
It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts. However, most of
the impacts of the proposed project are minor compared to the positive socio-economic
benefits of the proposed system. Yet, monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed
project would be necessary. Therefore, a monitoring component has been suggested which
takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require regular checks. This
monitoring component will be adhered to and will allow the assessment of changes due to
construction and implementation of the proposed agriculture project. Monitoring is
specifically focussed on employment opportunities, price changes in the market, direct and
indirect economic ventures, ground and marine water quality, changes in the hydrodynamics
of the project area as well as impacts on the reef or marine ecological area of importance.
In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry
out the proposed project to develop Ungulu as an agricultural island; nonetheless, the
consultants suggest proponent to explore alternatives presented in this EIA prior to
construction. |
