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Title: | Environmental impact assessment reclamation of 15 hectares of land at Thilafushi for development of the regional waste management facility for Zone 3 |
Authors: | Water Solutions |
Keywords: | Applicable policies, laws and regulation Project description Existing environmente stakeholder consultations and information disclosure Methodology Environmental impacts Mitigation measures Alternatives Environmental management and monitoring plan |
Issue Date: | Nov-2017 |
Citation: | Water Solutions. (2017). Environmental impact assessment reclamation of 15 hectares of land at Thilafushi for development of the regional waste management facility for Zone 3. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | This report discusses the findings of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study undertaken by Water
Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Ministry of Environment and Energy for the proposed reclamation of 15
hectares from the shallow lagoon at Thilafalhu, Male’ Atoll. Thilafalhu is the lagoon where Thilafushi is located.
The reclamation and coastal protection project is the first step to establish a Regional Waste Management Facility
for Zone III at Thilafushi to manage and dispose waste which is generated from islands in the central 4 atolls of
the Maldives. The reclamation project involves reclamation 15 hectares of shallow lagoon at Thilafalhu,
Thilafushi to height of +1.7 m above mean sea level. Sand is proposed to be borrowed from the lagoon of
Thilafushi near the reclamation area located on northern side of the proposed site. It is estimated that total of
525,000 cbm of sand will be required for this reclamation. The sand would be dredged using Cutter Suction
Dredger and dredged sand will be pumped to the reclamation area from the dredger. The reclaimed land would
be protected using 510 m rock boulder revetment on southern side and 475 m revetment on northern side.
Ministry of Environment and Energy would undertake a detail design using their engineer based on observations,
issues, and concerns raised during the EIA process.
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 Cutter Suction Dredger and this is particularly a method that creates
lot of sedimentation. Reclamation work for filling and levelling work would be undertaken using excavators and
bulldozer which will have an impact on the marine environment during the initial stage of the project. It is
anticipated that impacts of this projects will be felt on the marine environment of the Thialfushi reef system.
Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in the report. Sedimentation
control methods have been specifically focused to reduce its impact on the surrounding marine environment. An
important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the reclamation area to contain sedimentation and
reduce its impact on the marine environment. In addition, completing the dredging and filling works in the
shortest time frame, during north east monsoon is also a significant mitigation measure to minimize the impact
of sedimentation on the marine environment.
The proposed mitigation measures shall be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures
proposed to mitigate environmental impacts is considered to be appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by
about 90%. The negative environmental impacts 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 the project area.
Several alternatives to the proposed project were considered, all of these alternatives cannot be implemented for
various reasons including issues related to regulations, cost, and environment factors. The present project design
seems to be feasible option in terms of costs, durability and safety.
It is inevitable that there would be negative environmental impacts of this project. It will not be possible to avoid
environmental damage entirely, but ways to minimize damage are critical factors to consider during
implementation. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) with environmental monitoring has been
recommended including important elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component shall be
adhered to and will allow the assessment of changes due to the implementation of the proposed project. As the
socioeconomic impacts are going to be felt in the long term, monitoring these changes is very essential.
The proposed reclamation pose threats to the marine environment of the Thilafushi and its lagoon. There will be
direct and indirect damage to marine environment in the vicinity of the project site. Some of the corals patches,
mostly in the reclamation area in the shallow lagoon will die due to smothering as well as from construction
activities. But these are damages that cannot be entirely avoided.
The project involves negative environmental impacts, such impacts are not severe as not to go ahead with this
project. The project is justifiable in light of the socio-economic conditions and anticipated benefits resulting
from the project, which seem to outweigh the negative environmental impacts. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4970 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
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