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 Kunahandhoo, 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 84ft by 89ft. 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 1.5 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.
At present, there is no designated site waste disposal. The island community disposes waste at
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, 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 most of the vegetation has been cleared. However, prior to construction few of the pioneer species will need to be cleared. 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,
especially given the island has low groundwater lens is prone to flooding.
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. 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. 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. Overall this is an environmental improvement project.
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. Alternative locations for IWMC were also considered,
however as there are no other apt locations in the island, it is proposed to go ahead with the
proposed location, since the IWMC will be built with 1ft elevated as a mitigation measure.
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 Kunahandhoo Island council, Kunahandhoo public,
Laamu Atoll Council, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and
Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Authority. Both Kunahandhoo 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. 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 and to follow the mitigation measures to avoid significant
impacts.
It is strongly recommended to develop and implement and environmental management plan to
maximise the benefits of IWMC and ensure sustainability of operations. |