DC Field | Value | Language |
dc.contributor.author | ސީޑީއީ ކޮންސަލްޓިންގު | - |
dc.contributor.author | CDE Consulting | - |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-10-23T05:24:30Z | - |
dc.date.available | 2019-10-23T05:24:30Z | - |
dc.date.issued | 2017-08 | - |
dc.identifier.citation | CDE Consulting. (2017). Environmental impact assessment for the proposed geotechnical students at thilafushi lagoon, Kaafu Atoll. Male': Maldives. | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/5303 | - |
dc.description.abstract | This document is submitted by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited to fulfil the
requirements for an EIA under Environment Protection and Preservation Act and EIA
Regulations to undertake the proposed geotechnical investigations on Thilafushi Lagoon.
The proposed activity requires drilling nine boreholes to depth of 30-40 m and extracting
sediment samples for laboratory assessments. The project site is the presently undeveloped
shallow northwest corner of Thilafushi Lagoon. This site has been designated as a zone for port
development in the previous Thilafushi Master Plans. The proposed drill size is 6” and will be
undertaken using a drill rig mounted on a small floating platform. Platform will be anchored
using weights. Drilled holes will be filled with Bentonite up to the top 1 m. The remaining areas
will be filled with sand.
This activity is part of the Thilafushi Container Port Study. The Proponent and Ministry of
Economic Development has signed an MoU for an exclusive negotiation towards entering int0
an investment agreement for the construction, operation, management and financing of a seaport
and free trade zone at Thilafushi Island, Male’ Atoll. The project is at its initial phase where its
technical and financial feasibility is assessed. The project will only go into a design and
construction phase only depending on the outcome of the assessment and the negotiations
between the two parties. For the moment, the project requires surveying the project site to
determine the technical feasibility. These include bathymetry surveys, geotechnical surveys and
hydrodynamic studies.
The project site comprise of shallow reef flat and deep lagoon. The surroundings are in poor
condition. The coral reef is largely dead with limited new recruits. The proposed impact foot
print is covered with coral rubble and sand. Thilafushi lagoon has undergone years of
modification and the marine water quality around it is known to be in the worst conditions of
any lagoon in the Maldives.
The proposed activities are 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 and Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulation 2012.
This assessment shows that there are no significant impacts from the proposed activity. This is
due to the limited the number of drill sites, the diameter of the drilling pipe, shallow depth at
most sites, short drilling period, small impact foot print and absence of live coral cover or
suitable substrate at the proposed drilling locations. Thus, no major mitigations measures are
recommended. However, best environmental practices when working coral reef environments
have been recommended.
Consultations were held with Ministry of Economic Development and Thilafushi Corporation
(TCL). Both parties consulted have no reservations on proceeding with the project. TCL has
raised the concern that the overall port project MoU has been agreed with China Harbour
Engineering without their input and asks MED to consult in the matter in the future. However,
they have no issue in proceeding with the study. TCL have placed come conditions before the
work can be carried out. These include regulatory clearances from EPA and to inform TCL one
week prior to the start of work on site.
The alternatives evaluated for the project were the no project option, reduced number of
boreholes and alternative options do deal with the abandoned drill holes. No alternative option
was necessary as the activities as currently designed do not have significant impacts.
Monitoring programme proposed has focussed on water quality, noise and reef health.
It is recommended to proceed with the project using the mitigation measures and management
plan presented in this EIA. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.title | Environmental impact assessment for the proposed geotechnical students at thilafushi lagoon, Kaafu Atoll | en_US |
dc.type | Technical Report | en_US |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
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