| Abstract: | This report is based on the proposed harbour works related Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll.
Gulhifalhu is located in Kaafu atoll, 5 km away from the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport,
in Hulhule’. The operations of the island are under Gulhifalhu Investment Limited (GIL).
However, the area in which the proposed development is to take place have been leased to
MWSC on long term basis. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the
project as the coastal modification works fall under the ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. In addition to meeting the regulatory
requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to
make decisions based on favourable environmental conditions with the main focus on
sustainability.
This EIA is based on the following coastal related works:
• Dredging an entrance channel and basin
• Construction of harbour structures
Gulhifalhu is an island that is currently designated for light to medium industrial level
activities in the greater Male’ region. The major stakeholder of the island is Gulhifalhu
Investment Limited (GIL), which is a state owned corporation formulated to attract
investment to the island and overall development of Gulhifalhu.
This EIA has been prepared by Amir Musthafa, a registered environmental consultant
experienced in both environmental consultancy and coastal engineering works. The
consultant has been actively engaged in coastal projects in the Maldives for the past 5 years.
Amir was assisted by Mahfooz abdul Wahaab and Ibrahim Rashiu Adam, both environmental
consultants.
MWSC is in great need to streamline supply of manufactured materials to islands for different
projects. Currently the main harbour area MWSC use for this purpose is in Hulhumale’ and
Male’. This requires a lot of materials produced in to be transported within the greater Male’
region, which incurs high unnecessary costs. Therefore to make material transport more
feasible and convenient in the long term, and to improve the services offered by MWSC to
its various clients in the inner Atolls, there was a need to construct a harbour on the industrial
land in Gulhifalhu which was already designated for MWSC.
Tried and trusted standard methodology was used for the observations and study of the
existing environment and subsequently to determine the potential impacts to the environment.
The most significant impact from the project is the loss of habitat due to the dredging on the
reef crest for the purpose on an entrance channel. However, this is inevitable. Live coral cover
EIA for the proposed MWSC port construction project, Gulhifalhu, Kaa fu Atoll
Proponent: MWSC
ix
in the work area is virtually non existent. Major impact from the project is nevertheless due
to the removal of the reef crest to make the entrance channel to the harbour, thereby
weakening the reef structure. This is an unavoidable impact if the harbour has to be developed
on this area with the proposed design. Moderate impacts of concern include the temporary
loss of water quality due to increased turbidity from the dredging works, and general impacts
such as due to mismanagement of waste and health and safety issues. There are other general
impacts such as the generation of noise health hazards during construction stage. These
impacts can be mitigated by following best practices at the work place such as use of boundary
walls to demarcate project area, warning sign boards, and use of protective equipment and
clothing. Other main mitigation measures include proper planning of the project before
mobilisation. There are bigger positive impacts from the project such as enabling the full use
of the industrial area.
Since it’s a coastal project, there are considerable alternatives to consider. Major alternatives
include construction of the harbour on the eastern side of the island facing the lagoon rather
than the deep sea, changing the layout of the harbour, changing materials used, etc.
A comprehensive monitoring plan is provided at the end of the report. Monitoring is
recommended to take place every month during the construction stage, once every 3 months
for 1 year after the construction phase, and once each year for 5 years. Shoreline, water
quality, status of the marine environment has been recommended to be monitored with these
frequencies using standard methods as used in this report.
After careful consideration of the need for the project, the viable alternatives available, and
the impacts the project component causes, it is recommended that the project proceed as
proposed. The preferred alternative is to construct the harbour on the eastern side, which will
not have the said impacts on the reef and will also ensure a safer harbour area for vessels.
However, due to plans by GIL for future developments in Gulhifalhu, it had been informed
that this can not be entertained at this stage. It is recommended to undertake proper
environment monitoring as there are many unknowns in such a project and the design may
need to be refined based on subsequent observations as outlined in the monitoring plan.
Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures proposed in this report is
necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the
environment |
