Environmental impact assessment : for undertaking reclamation and quaywall construction at ALIA Thilafushi site, Thilafushi, Kaafu Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for ALIA Investment Pvt Ltd. The project involves construction of quaywall of the Thilafushi ALIA Site. The project aims to: •Provide safety and protection to the vessels accessing the site. •Increase the land area of the site One of the challenges facing ALIA Thilafushi Site is lack of a proper quaywall. Therefore vessels accessing the site has to use adjacent site quaywalls to handle cargos coming in out of the site. Main components of the project include: •Construction of 20m concrete quaywall on the lagoon side of the site. Quaywall will be aligned as same level as the adjacent sites. •Filling of 450m2 are of the site. Sand will be acquired commercially for this purpose. Estimated volume of sand is 2800 cbm. Environmental impacts of this project were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting from the filling works. Sedimentation from the construction works is the biggest threat to the marine environment of Thilafushi from this project. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in the report. Sedimentation control methods have been specifically focused due to its seriousness. An important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the filling area to contain sedimentation and reduce its impact on the reef. In addition, completing the filling works in the shortest time frame is also a significant mitigation measure to minimize the impact of sedimentation on the marine environment. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. It is inevitable that there would be negative environmental impacts of this project. As a result, a mitigation and monitoring component has been suggested which takes into consideration, the most important elements that require monitoring, most importantly a mechanism and means to measure and value the social benefit of the project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the potential negative impacts. The proposed project does pose some threats to the marine environment of the area. Even though, the existing environmental condition of the project site is degraded, there will be direct and indirect damage to marine environment in the vicinity of the project site. However there are many positive benefits of the project in long term. This project is justifiable in the light of the positive impacts.