Environmental impacts assessment : for the development of the waste transfer facility, Male’ Kaafu Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impacts Assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The project involves the development of the Waste Transfer Facility in the Industrial Village in K. Male’. At present, solid waste poses one of the biggest risks to the environment and to public health in Male’. This is a result of the lack of a proper waste management system on the island. Over the years, the increase in population and increase in economic productivity in Male’ has meant that the amount of solid waste generated on the island has increased astronomically. Thus, the Ministry of Environment and Energy are looking to solve this issue by developing and implementing a proper solid waste management system in Male’. Key to this is the proposed Male’ Waste Transfer Facility, where sorted waste generated in the island will be transported to the waste management area in K. Thilafushi. Environmental impacts of this project were assessed and have been identified as resulting from the construction works. The main impacts noted are that of noise and vibration, as well as landscape integrity due to the construction of a waste transfer site. Aside from these, the negative impacts are minimal because the dredging works and quay wall construction have been carried out for the site already, and also due to the environmental considerations put into the design of the facility. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in the report. Completing the construction work in the shortest time frame and with sound environmental practice and additional practices that reduce air and noise pollution are important measures that need to be taken into consideration. For the operational phase, asphalting the entire surface of the facility will eliminate the risk of groundwater leaching, while the use of waste containers will minimize the risk of pollution of the surrounding marine environment as well as in the facility. 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.