| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to construct the Waste Management
Centre (IWMC) in Dhanbidhoo, Laamu Atoll. The proponent of this project is United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP).
The main rationale for the project is to establish a sustainable waste management system in the
island so that the waste is disposed and managed properly. The project is intended at
constructing an island level waste management centre, with a compost ground and machineries
and equipments to collect and to manage the waste. This project forms part of Low Emission and
Climate Resilient Development (LECReD), a United Nations joint programme which seeks to
mainstream LECReD issues into local development planning and service delivery for greater
community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits.
The proposed project involves the construction of the waste management centre. The IWMC will
have a compost pit, waste segregation lots, equipment room, toilet, rainwater tank. This will be
implemented as part of this project. The proposed IWMC will measure 98ft by 98ft and it will be
developed on the southern tip of the island. The proposed centre will be developed to manage
the waste generated in the island and to ensure proper and sustainable disposal of waste. The
waste management centre will also composting tools, compacting machineries to manage the
waste. A truck of 2 tonnes and bins will be provided for waste collection. The duration of the
construction of IWMC will take approximately 3 months. Once constructed, it will be handed
over to the council for operation. The location, which has been approved, by EPA and MLSA is
approximately 1km from the residential and requires the development of an access road. This
will incur additional cost and the distance also makes it impractical to transfer waste on a daily
basis.
At present, there is no designated site waste disposal. The island community disposes waste at
two different locations of the island and the waste is not segregated.
All project activities will be in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and
relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations
applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 and Waste Management Regulations and Maldivian Land
Act and Decentralisation Act.
The existing condition of the island and the proposed IWMC was assessed for this report.
Assessments conducted include groundwater quality assessments, air quality and terrestrial
assessments. Baseline noise levels were also recorded at the site. The assessment shows that during construction stage of the IWMC, main impacts will be
increased noise level, air quality degradation and loss terrestrial flora and fauna. The proposed
location is a vegetated area where already some of the vegetation has been cleared. However, if
the allocated site is chosen for the construction of IWMC, an access road will need to be
developed which will require more vegetation to be cleared including palm trees. Other impacts
during construction stage possible contamination of groundwater and soil due to leakage of
chemical and oil. During operational stage, the most significant impacts on the groundwater,
greenhouse gas emission and on biodiversity. If the IWMC is poorly constructed including
composting pit, likelihood leachate leaking into the ground is high and this may have irreversible
impacts on groundwater quality. The IWMC may be receiving waste that cannot be managed at
the site if unsupervised, this may result in open burning waste that result in the emission of toxic
gases and chemicals which will degrade the air quality and cause GHG emission. Further to this,
distance to the IWMC from the residential zone means a longer commute route which will
further contribute to GHG emission from transportation. Accumulation and mismanagement of
waste also has the tendency to impact the biodiversity in the island whereby certain species are
replaced by crows and rats, which will feed on waste stockpiles. The visual amenity of the area
will also be disrupted and given that the nearest island in the vicinity will be developed to a
resort this poses major issues in the long term. However, through composting and selling
recyclable materials the project will also open up business opportunities for the island. In
addition, irresponsible dumping and littering around the island may be stopped following the
implementation of IWMC and waste management plan.
The alternative options were evaluated for the no project option and alternative locations for
IWMC. The “No Project” option is deemed infeasible, given the current condition of waste
management and disposal in the island. Given the unfeasibility of the proposed site for IWMC
due to the long distance for transportation from the residential zone and from the harbour,
alternative locations for the IWMC explored. It is recommended that any other location within
200ft from either the northern or southern direction from the residential zone is feasible or
building IWMC. This provides a feasible transportation distance from the collection entities also
to the harbour where the recyclable materials can be easily traded.
Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical of the island, ground water
quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. Monitoring costs is
estimated at MVR 25,000 – 35,000 per annum.
The management plan for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated
impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for
monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition provide evidence of
compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. Stakeholder consultations were held with Dhanbidhoo Island council, Dhanbidhoo public,
Laamu Atoll Council, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and
Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Authority. Both Dhanbidhoo Island Council and
public are in favour of this project, although the newly elected council not fully acquainted with
the project.
In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations
of Maldives. Operational stage impacts are mainly on climate change, groundwater
contamination and on biodiversity. Since the proposed location for the IWMC is not practical in
terms of transportation of waste and the need to develop an access road which will incur
additional cost, it is recommended to consider alternative locations for the IWMC. Overall, the
project will have positive impacts to the island community under supervised and effective
management of the IWMC. . The EIA recommends to go ahead with the project and to develop
the IWMC at a site that will not cause major loss of biodiversity or cause GHG emissions.
It is strongly recommended to develop and implement and environmental management plan to
maximise the benefits of IWMC and ensure sustainability of operations. |
