Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4641
Title: Environmental impact assessment for the construction of a harbor in Filladhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives
Authors: Water Solutions
Keywords: Harbor development projects
Harbor construction
Legislative and regulatory considerations
Existing marine environment
Existing coastal environment
Existing terrestrial environment
Existing climatic environment
Existing socio-economic environment
Constructional impacts
Operational impacts
Mitigation measures
Environmental management and monitoring
Environmental impact assessments
Issue Date: Dec-2016
Citation: Water solutions. (2016). Environmental impact assessment for the construction of a harbor in Filladhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives. Male': Maldives
Abstract: This report discusses the findings of environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the proposed harbour development project in HA. Filladhoo. HA. Filladhoo is located on the eastern rim of Haa Alifu atoll and has a population of 576 (Census, 2014). Majority of the island community depend on fishing and agriculture as their main economic activity. Until now, the island has no modern harbour facility and is one of the most crucial issues faced by the island community. This project is initiated by the government of Maldives as part of its national programme to provide safe harbour to each and every inhabited island of Maldives. Presently, lack of a harbour is an obstacle for the economic expansion and diversification of the island. Lack of a harbour in Filladhoo has many developmental obstacles for the island. At present the only way to access the island is by means of jetties on the west side of the island. For mooring the vessels, fisherman and other vessel owners use deep lagoon areas of the island. The construction of the harbour includes the following:  Construction of 312 m quay wall on inner side and both ends of the harbour using T-shaped concrete blocks.  Deepening the harbour basin to 3 meters at mean sea level.  Dredging of the harbour basin which is 650 feet long and 250 feet wide.  Construction of 298 m long breakwater with rock boulders.  Reclamation of the area between the harbour and shoreline and both sides of the harbour by using dredged material from the harbour basin.  Dredging of an access channel to a depth of 3 meters at Mean Sea Level (MSL).  Construction of 5m wide pavement along the quaywalls.  Construction of revetments to protect the proposed reclamation areas.  Clearance of an access road to the harbour. Road length is approximately 345m and 14m wide.  The dredging work for the project is expected to generate around 50,000 m3 of dredged material. The dredged material will be used for reclamation and road levelling purpose. The proposed project is therefore geared towards developing a third generation harbour on the south west side of the island with an entrance channel and breakwaters to protect the harbour basin. The harbour is expected to ease many of the challenges faced by the islanders, especially for the vessel owners, as safe mooring will be guaranteed. As this is a completely new development, significant negative impacts on the island marine environment will be felt through permanent habitat modification and direct destruction of the marine environment. Indirect impacts can also be felt on the mangrove area of Filladhoo without proper measures. Similarly, the coral reef and lagoon area will be directly and indirectly impacted for this project. As the same time, the socio-economic impacts of this project will be significantly felt on a very large scale and not necessarily for the islanders only. In such projects, environmental damage cannot be avoided and hence the goal should be to undertake the works in the most least damaging manner. As a large area of the marine and coastal environment will be affected, careful implementation of the mitigation measures and adopting methods which minimizes the damage will be the key for this project. Most of these measures are the best practice guidelines and protocols that does not require large finances to implement. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups including island council and the client in order to incorporate the socio-economic components in the project. Stakeholders, most importantly the island community representatives were the most significant as they have the maximum knowledge and experience from the daily difficulties faced due to lack of a harbour. The development of the harbour in Filladhoo will have significant environmental impacts to the island, most of which will be felt on the coastal and the marine environment. The project takes place in an environment that has not been modified or damaged previously. However, natural erosion of the island has been affected to the area of the island. Social impacts of this project will be significant and will benefit the community as well as the region. The development of a harbour in Filladhoo is expected to bring many beneficiaries to island community. Proposed mitigation measures need to be taken to minimize or avoid the proposed impacts. Proper measures need to be taken to protect and preserve the mangrove area near the harbour location. Although the project involves inevitable negative impacts, the project is justifiable in light of the socioeconomic conditions and anticipated benefits resulting from this project.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4641
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