Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/7573
Title: | Environmental impact assessment : for the rehabilitation of tsunami damaged harbour at the Th. Thimarafushi |
Authors: | Zahid, Ahmed Aleem, Abdul Jameel, Ahmed Shah, Hassan |
Issue Date: | Feb-2008 |
Publisher: | Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. |
Citation: | Zahid, A., Aleem, A., Jameel, A. and Shah, H. (2008). Environmental impact assessment : for the rehabilitation of tsunami damaged harbour at the Th. Thimarafushi. Male' : Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. |
Abstract: | This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water
Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and Al Habshi Consultants of Kuwait upon request from Ministry of
Construction and Public Infrastructure.
The project involves the rehabilitation of the existing harbor in Thimarafushi, Thaa Dhaal Atoll with
additional and enhanced facilities. This project is initiated by the government of Maldives with
funding from Kuwait Fund (KFAED) as part of the Tsunami rehabilitation programme. The harbor
of Thimarafushi has been damaged to various extents and require repair and upgrading. A detail
assessment of the environmental and social conditions was assessed based on which a rehabilitation
project has been proposed. This EIA has been prepared to assess the social and environmental
impacts of this proposed rehabilitation project.
Major environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from dredging
and disposal of excavated materials. Excavation will be undertaken to create a new access channel.
Excavated materials will be used to closure the existing channel and back fill material of the quay
wall. In view of the assessment, the environmental damage to marine resources have not been
considered major due to the limited boundary of the project and also due to confined nature of the
project. Environmental impacts were assessed for both construction and operation phase of the
project.
Mitigation measures for these anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined in detail,
including sedimentation control methods and other measures. These mitigation measures will have
to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. Stakeholder consultations were held
with various groups, including the community and the client in order to incorporate the socio‐
economic components in the project. The proposed rehabilitation plans for Thimarafushi has been
prepared after considering the needs and requirements from the community by assessing and
incorporating the outcomes from the extensive community consultations held during the data
collection stage.
It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts, especially when
excavation is undertake. Nevertheless, these negative impacts are not so severe to the extent that the
project should not be allowed to take place. As a result, a comprehensive monitoring component has
been suggested which takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require regular
checks. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the limited nature of the impact. The most important consideration is the
socioeconomic impacts that have been assessed mainly as positive in nature. Not only they are
positive, but most importantly in the long term.
Therefore, it appears justified from a technical and from an environmental point of view, to carry
out the proposed rehabilitation project in light of the existing socio‐economic developments and
forecasts made on the harbor use and traffic increase. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/7573 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
Items in Saruna are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.