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Title: | Environmental impact assessment for establishment of an integrated water management system in HDh. Nolhivaranfaru |
Authors: | ޑިވަލޮޕްމެންޓޮ އެޑްވައިޒަރީ ސާރވިސަސް Development Advisory Services |
Issue Date: | Aug-2017 |
Citation: | Development Advisory Services. (2017). Environmental impact assessment for establishment of an integrated water management system in HDh. Nolhivaranfaru. Male': Maldives. |
Abstract: | This non-technical summary presents the finding of the Environmental Impact Assessment of
the proposed Integrated Water Recourse Management system development project at
Nolhivaranfaru Island in Haadhaal (HDh.) atoll by the proponent Ministry of Environment and
Energy. This EIA report is prepared in accordance with Environmental and Protection and
Preservation Act and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. The purpose of this
EIA is to fulfil the requirement of the Law and to conduct an assessment of possible impacts
on ecological, biophysical environment and socioeconomics arising from the proposed resort
development.
The main rationale of this project is to develop and operate an Integrated Water Resource
Management System on HDh. Nolhivaranfaru. The specific objectives are to Development of
the necessary infrastructure for the functioning of Integrated Water Resource Management
System to provide safe water to the community. Implementation of the project bring
economic and social benefit to the community.
The project will involve the construction and operation of Integrated Water Resource
Management System. Construction involves construction of operation building, installation
of RO plant, construction of storage tanks, lining of water collection and distribution network,
construction of infiltration galleries for ground water skimming and rain water harvesting
system. Once the project is completed the Integrated Water Resource Management System
will be handed to the proponent for operation.
Key impacts
The impacts of the project result mainly from construction activities such as land clearance,
construction of the water treatment facilities, and construction pipeline network installation
of brine outfall. During construction of water treatment facilities and lining of pipeline
network have negative impact to the terrestrial environment of the island. It is estimated that
approximately 50 coconut palm needs to be removed or relocated. Construction of the brine
outfall increase in turbidity and sedimentation which can impact the marine environment.
Baseline environmental marine conditions indicated that the live coral cover was very poor
and fish count is negligibly less, showing minimum impact on marine habitat. Indirect impact
may also occur from silting which is a short term impact.
The major socioeconomic impact is found to be positive. Construction of Integrated Water
Resource Management System will create a lot of job opportunities during the construction
and operation of the system. Establishment of this project will improves public health, socioeconomic
well-being of the island community and also it improves the ground water quality
should there be less groundwater usage.
Mitigation measures
Mitigation measures were taken by conducting appropriate field surveys and environmental
assessment of the island, proposed and alternative locations for development water
Environmental Impact Assessment for Integrated Water Resource Management at Hdh. Nolhivaranfaru
xi
treatment facilities and brine outfall location of the project and its associated infrastructure.
Installation of brine outfall would be done during low tides to minimize the erosion and
washing away of the material. The necessary announcements and proper use of sign boards
will be used to minimize the difficulties caused during the construction works. A detailed
hydrogeological survey of the area where infiltration gallery would be installed is suggested
to be carried before construction begins.
Care would be taken so as not to take any construction work near the coast. The generated
waste would be stock piled on a frequent basis and waste segregation would be done to sort
out the hazardous waste which will be transferred to Waste Management Centre. Moreover,
a proper waste management facility would be established and the transfer vessels would be
EPA approved and licensed vessels for waste handling. The water and sewerage facilities
would be undergoing routine monitoring for the effluent water quality so that minimal to no
damage would be done to the marine environment.
Alternate locations and technology
Alternative technologies of construction methods and alternative locations have also been
considered during the assessment. Alternative locations for the construction of treatment
facilities and alternative methodologies for the brine outfall was also considered. Some of the
alternative technology are not recommended either due to expensive process or the available
technology not suitable to the environmental conditions.
Environmental management and monitoring
An environmental management plan with environmental monitoring was developed taking
into consideration the impacts and mitigation measures to be implemented. The important
elements that require checks such as sediment dynamics, coral cover and water quality will
be monitored according to the developed monitoring program during construction and
operation period.
Although the project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts, such impacts are
not serve as to not undertake the project. Mitigation measures have been proposed to
adequately minimize the significant impacts. Hence, the project is justifiable in light of the
socioeconomic conditions and anticipated benefits from the project which clearly outweigh
the negative environmental impacts. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/5306 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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