Environmental impact assessment, for the Hulhule-Hulhumale connecting link road development project, North Male’ Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the construction of the link road between Hulhule-Hulhumale connecting link road. The project is proposed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Hulhumale Island is developed on the eastern rim of North Male’ atoll between the island of Farukolhufushi (now part of Hullhumale) and Hulhule island. The island of Hulhumale has been an important growth centre since its development. Presently, Hulhumale is the fastest growing urban centre and has residential as well as industrial developments to a scale that has never been experienced anywhere in the Maldives. Being close to Male’ and the airport, Hulhumale has been attracting migrants from all over the Maldives. Construction of the Male’ to Hulhule bridge is presently the biggest infrastructure project under construction. This project is very much tied with the present link road as this link road will provide direct connection of Hullhumale and the bridge, ultimately making the traffic flow from Hulhumale to Male’. This road will be constructed on the east side of the existing land mass of Hulhule airport by reclaiming a small area further west of the existing island. The proposed road will consists of three zones. The proposed project is an important infrastructure development requirement for the development of greater Male’ region. As the project takes place in a congested zone with the airport being in the centre of the project boundary, some of the components of the project overlaps with existing legislations. Therefore, these must be addressed and an engineering solution should be sorted to achieve its objectives in the most environmentally friendly manner. The need to shift the road further east arose due to the changes that were brought to the sea plan landing and take off orientations to avoid flying over Hulhumale. Therefore, without the proposed shift in location, the road cannot be constructed. Environmental impacts were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from the coral reef damage caused by reclamation of additional land. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, especially sedimentation control methods. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the fill areas. Coastal protection has been proposed on the east side of the reclaimed land and the methodology proposed does not pose serious environmental concerns. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. As the existing road is presently used by limited number of vehicles and the fact that this is not a public road, social impacts during the construction period will be limited and manageable. The EIA was undertaken to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed link road construction. Based on the assessment, it has been identified that the major impacts of the project will be felt on the marine environment during the construction stage. The EIA report also highlights some of the studies and research work undertaken in similar environments, especially in Male’، to understand the impacts of construction works close to reef slope and how this knowledge can be transferred to similar environments based on the type of coastal protection methods in use. The mitigation measures are provided in the report with alternatives. It is vital to conduct the activities, during both project planning and construction phase, in line with mitigation measures emphasized in the report. Socio-economic impacts of the proposed project will be immense as direct land connection of Male’ and Hulhumale would bring significant benefits to the general public. Connection of Hulhumale, Male’ and the airport is a vital transportation link that would save time and money for more than 100,000 people residing in the greater Male’ region. The environmental impacts of various projects that are currently being undertaken in the airport region have caused significant damage to reef in various areas. This project will also have its impacts, but the impacts will not be anything greater than to what the environment has already been subjected to. Therefore a comprehensive monitoring programme has been suggested which covers components of coastal and marine environment to assess how the critical components of this project will affect the environment and to what extent. It is important to follow this monitoring programme not only to comply with the regulation but also to ensure that the impacts are measures in realistic terms. Though some of the components of this project contravenes with the Dredging and reclamation regulation; the regulation also exempts this project as Hulhule island is a special zone. Under clause 10 of the dredging and reclamation regulation, special projects are exempted. As the environmental consultants, it is our opinion that this project should be allowed to proceed as the environmental impacts of this project does not pose serious concerns to the natural environment. It is a project that has far greater socio-economic benefits than these limited environmental impacts.