Second addendum : EIA for proposed coastal protection works in Dh. Maaenboodhoo

Abstract

I. This is the Second Addendum to the project’s approved main EIA, which has been prepared for obtaining permit and environmental clearance for revised coastal protection measures in Dh. Maaenboodhoo. The Proponent of the project is Ministry of Environment and Energy and the contractor of the project is SAS e Senok JV Pvt. Ltd. II. It is a legal requirement under the Amended EIA Regulation 2012 EIAs/Addendums for projects that are believed to generate negative environmental impacts. This Addendum has been prepared as per the approved Terms of Reference (TOR) on 6 February 2018.

III. The scope of this Addendum is to assess the existing environmental condition of the proposed project areas and surrounding environment, identify potential environmental impacts, propose environmental management and mitigation measures to minimize environmental impacts as well as propose an environmental monitoring plan with appropriate environmental parameters to monitor changes on a regular basis.

IV. The locations and design of the geo-bag revetment has been altered as part of the revised new design which was approved and awarded to the contractor on 6 December 2017 as the second phase of the project. The main reason for the revision is that erosion on the island has shifted to the new locations where coastal protection measures are now required on the NW shoreline of the island.

V. A detailed environmental assessment was undertaken as part of the main EIA and marine and coastal environmental assessments relevant for the proposed project have been used as the baseline environmental condition in this Addendum.

VI. The project involves excavation of fill material, land filling and development of geobag revetments and groynes to be constructed as part of the overall coastal protection works. The environmental impacts from sedimentation and direct destruction and loss of habitat from these activities have been identified to be the most significant environmental impacts from the project. Especially in areas where dredging and land filling occur, irreparable damages in these areas of the environment have been identified. To some extent, the revetments itself is also an impact to the environment in terms of permanently replacing the habitats within the area.

VII. Environmental monitoring has been planned to undertaken in conjunction with the main EIA environmental monitoring plan.

VIII. Although there are a number of environmental impacts from the proposed development, some of these can bring permanent changes to the environment of the island, other impacts can be reduced and mitigated by use of appropriate methodology. The effectiveness of these methodologies can be documented by implementing a comprehensive monitoring programme. Also, with positive social outlook of the project and considering the overall need for the project, it is concluded that the project should go ahead as planned