| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to construct the Island Waste Management
Centre (IWMC) in Maabaidhoo, Laamu Atoll. The proponent of this project is United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) The contractor for this project is Uni Maldives Private
Limited.
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 equipment 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 89ft by 83ft and will be
built at 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 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.
The island community previously disposed waste at different locations of the island and the
waste is not segregated. Following the efforts during the mangrove conservation project, all
waste is now disposed to the location designated to build the IWMC under this project.
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 IWMC, main impacts will be increased
noise level, air quality degradation, 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.
During operational stage, 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
proposed is an aesthetically pleasing site and the visual amenity of the area will also be
disrupted. Since the proposed site used to be a wetland, before it was reclaimed from waste, risk
of flooding the area during swell tides or torrential rain is high. This may significantly impact
the operation of the IWMC. Proper mitigation measures must be taken to reduce the risk of
flooding. Overall this is an environmental improvement project.. 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. 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, with stringent measures to mitigate flooding in the area.
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 Maabaidhoo Island council, Maabaidhoo public,
Laamu Atoll Council, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and
Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Authority. Both Maabaidhoo Island Council and
public are in favour of this 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. Stringent mitigation measures must be taken to reduce the risk of
flooding at the proposed location.
It is strongly recommended to develop and implement an environmental management plan to
maximise the benefits of IWMC and ensure sustainability of operations. |
