| Abstract: | This is the first Addendum to the EIA for the harbour project being undertaken in Guraidhoo,
Kaafu Atoll. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure.
An environmental assessment was undertaken for this project in March 2014. According to the
EIA, justification for the project is to provide safe and secure harbouring facilities to the vessels,
especially the larger ones. The island only had a natural harbour with some jetties without a
breakwater for providing protection during the rough weather conditions. As a result government
proposed a harbour construction project in K.Guraidhoo.
K.Guraidho Harbour Construction project was initially begun under the project, “Design and
Build of Harbours in 10 Islands” in 2014. The agreement was signed on 9th February 2014 and
harbour construction work begun in 25th February 2014. Project work lasted till 30th October 2014
during which period, Quay wall construction and dredging was completed.
However, due to quota restrictions and other reasons, during the years 2013 and 2014,
Maldives has undergone a difficult time in sourcing rock boulders for construction projects in the
country. As a result, K.Guraidhoo harbor construction site was temporarily demobilized on 30th
October 2014 for using the machineries to speed up other projects of the contractor.
On 21st April 2016, the project site was mobilized for the second time to complete the
remaining works together with other additional works agreed under, “Construction of K.Guraidhoo
harbor Phase II” whose value is MVR12.7 million. Major design change was brought to the
breakwater component of the project.
This addendum addresses the modifications to the breakwater component. Length, shape and
location of the breakwater in Phase II has been changed compared to the initial concept. New length
of the break water is 340m compared to the 194m in the initial concept. Out of 340m, 62m will be
constructed on south side of the harbour adjoining the Quay Wall. Under the current design, the
breakwater will run over the natural channel on west of the main Quay Wall which will be reclaimed
or filled to around -0.8m which is about 0.2m shallower than the existing depth of the shallow areas
on both sides. Minor dredging is involved to source the fill material. Changes incorporated to the
breakwater design is complimented by the island community. According to the initial harbour
construction EIA, island community expressed dissatisfaction over the initial breakwater design as
it did not cover the western side which is the predominant wave direction during the southwest
monsoon.
Proposed changes to the breakwater is a better alternative compared to the initial concept. It
protects a larger area, specially the western side as mentioned earlier. The natural lagoon will be
better enclosed to function more like a harbour, providing a safer habouring area. This design has
also been identified in the 2014 EIA as an alternative.
Environmental impacts of the proposed change were assessed for both construction and
operation stage of the project. Most of the identified impacts are positive as they will improve the
socio-economic situation of the island. As in all construction projects of this nature and explained
in K.Guraidhoo harbour construction EIA, the main negative environmental impact of the project
is identified to be the movement and settlement of sediment on the reef during the dredging to
source the fill material for the channel. However, sedimentation due to the project is considered
negligible as a volume required is less which is around 2000cbm. Additionally, the 62m breakwater
on the southern side may enhance beach erosion as it will obstruct the longshore current around the
island. But the effect of this breakwater on the shore might be difficult to identify as the area used
to have Jetties previously.
The most effective impact mitigation measure for the addendum would be to borrow sand from
the first location proposed as the borrow area. This area is far from the reef, closer to the project
area and once the work begins, will be enclosed by breakwater bed which will act as a bund wall
in restricting and limiting the sediment flow.
As outlined in 2014 harbour construction EIA, environment monitoring for sea water quality
and shoreline changes should be carried out. Shoreline changes are to be monitored for a longer
period of about 2 years after the project completion to identify any possible adverse effect due to
the project.
In an environmental and technical point of view, the proposed change to the breakwater of
K.Guradhoo habour is justified and favoured by the island community. |
