Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4872
Title: | Environmental impact assessment for the proposed land reclamation at Thilafushi Industrial Zone Plot S8-136 |
Authors: | Water Solutions |
Keywords: | Land reclamation Dredging Existing marine environment Existing coral reef environment Existing coastal environment Environmental impacts Mitigation measures Environmental management and monitoring plan Environmental impact assessments |
Issue Date: | Jan-2016 |
Citation: | Water solutions. (2016). Environmental impact assessment for the proposed land reclamation at Thilafushi Industrial Zone Plot S8-136. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken
by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Maldives Transport and Contracting
Company (MTCC) for Ministry of Home Affairs. MTCC has been awarded the
project by Ministry of Affairs.
The project involves reclamation of land which has been allocated to Ministry
of Home Affairs by Thilafushi Cooperation at Thilafushi Industrial Zone. After
completion of the project, Ministry of Home Affairs would relocate the transmission
antennas which are located on eastern side of Male’ at Henveru Park. These antennas
is being relocated as part of the project to develop the China Maldives Friendship
Bridge between Male’ and Hulhumale’. The project aims to:
Dredge the borrow material from the shallow lagoon of Thilafushi for
reclamation works
Excavation of an estimated that of 14,000 cbm of sand as borrow
material for the reclamation work
Reclamation of 137 m by 183 m area of the plot using excavated sand.
Reclamation of 25,071 m2 of land which is located on western side of
the Thilafushi Industrial Zone.
Levelling the reclaim land at +1.5 m above mean sea level.
Environmental impacts of this project were assessed and most of the
environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting from the
dredging and reclamation works. Dredging to borrow sand for the reclamation work
will be undertaken using excavators and this is particularly a method that creates lot
of sedimentation. This is a threat to the marine environment. Dredging has been
proposed from the western side of the island.
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
reclamation area to contain sedimentation and reduce its impact on the reef. In
addition, completing the dredging and filling works in the shortest time frame, before
the on setting of south west monsoon 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%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed
project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon and damage to some
areas of the reef, which will cause death of corals in the direct impact zone and partial
death of corals in other areas of the coral reef. During dredging works, the
sedimentation will also affect the fish species in the vicinity of these areas and hence,
their population will drop in areas affected by sedimentation.
It is inevitable that there would be negative environmental impacts of this
project. However, balancing these negative impacts and the socio-economic benefits
gained is something that is very difficult. It will not be possible to avoid
environmental damage entirely, but ways to minimize damage are critical factors to
consider during implementation. 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. As
the socioeconomic impacts are going to be felt in the long term, monitoring these
changes is very essential.
The proposed reclamation does pose threats to the marine environment. There
will be direct and indirect damage to marine environment in the vicinity of the project
site. Some of the corals, mostly in the lagoon and shallow areas of the reef slope will
die due to smothering as well as from construction activities. But these are damages
that cannot be entirely avoided. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4872 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
Items in Saruna are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.