Environmental impact assessment report : redevelopment of Fun Island Resort, South Male' Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd. contracted by Villa Hotels Pvt. Ltd for the proposed new developments at Fun Island which include development on land and over-water buildings. Project Location: Fun Island Resort (Bodufinolhu) is located on the south eastern corner of South Male Atoll. The reef on which Fun Island exist is an atoll rim reef which also houses six other islands (Maadhoo Finolhu, Kuda Finolhu, Olhuveli, Oligandu Finolhu, Ehuruh Huraa and Rihiveli). Olhuveli (adjacent to Fun Island on the southern side) and Rihiveli are tourist resorts hotels Proposed Design: As part of developing Fun Island as a unique and exclusively set resort complex, the owner is proposing to re-design the island for an extensive re-development plan. The new concept design is based on establishment of a top class facility aiming at the higher end market. Therefore the development will include three ranges of products, Water villas, beach villas and beach suits. Additional amenities suitable to cater for the requirements of the resort such as a small harbour would be included in the overall design. Existing Environment: This reef system has a length of about 16 km with an approximate width of about 1 to 1.5 km. The reef system has a relatively shallow reef flat that has an average depth of approximately -0.5 m (MSL). The atollward slope of this reef system has a sandy slope scattered with coral habitats and there is no deep lagoon within this reef system, which is a common feature found on most peripheral reefs of Maldives. The total area of the reef complex is approximately 19km2 . The local Maldivians divide the climate of the Maldives into four monsoon periods that are characterized by very different wind climate, rain fall. These four seasons are the NE monsoon (Iruvai moosun), Transitonal period from NE monsoon to SW monsoon (Hulhangu halha), SW monsoon (Hulhangu moosun) and transitional period from SW monsoon to NE monsoon (Iruvai halha). Tides experienced in the Maldives are mixed semi-diurnal and diurnal with a strong diurnal inequality. A tide station at Male International Airport has continuous records of tide for over the past 30 years. The maximum tidal range recorded at this tide station is 1.20m. The highest astronomical tide level was +0.64m (MSL) and the lowest astronomical tide level was -0.56m (MSL). Due to close proximity of the permanent tide station at Male International Airport (Hulhule) it was assumed that the tidal signal at Hulhule will be the same as that at Fun Island. The assumption on the tidal signal at Fun Island was verified by comparing the density spectrum for tide data at Hulhule for the month of July 2005 with the spectrum of tide data recorded at Fun Island for the same period. This comparison evidently showed a near perfect match in the tidal spectra indicating the accurateness of the aforementioned assumption. The spectral analysis also shows the diurnal constituent K1 (24hrs 23min) and semidiurnal constituent S2 (12hrs 20min). The current speed data recorded by the Valeport 106 meter was plotted as a time series graph which showed fluctuating current magnitude that seems to be corresponding with the tidal signal. The current speed data when filtered through a low pass filter to remove the fluctuations with periods less than 1hr showed a clearer correlation with the tidal fluctuation The maximum current speed recorded for the period data collection was 0.62ms-1 flowing from west to east (i.e. from the atoll lagoon into the reef flat area. The flow of current from the atoll lagoon into the reef flat appears to be corresponding to the low tide periods. The reef system where Fun Island is located was highly impacted by the extensive bleaching event in 1998, which devastated reefs throughout the Maldives. At present, the reef flat shows signs of recovery, with many new recruits surviving well on the reef. The eastern side of the reef system experiences high energy waves from swells. There were no signs of anthropogenic impacts such as anchoring or diver damage. Almost all of the eastern side of the reef was dominated by turf algae. According to the resort staff brown coloration was seen after tsunami and they thought it was coral growth. In reality this was turf algae dominating the bare substrate. Whether this growth was stimulated by the action of tsunami or if this was a recent incident is difficult assess since historical data on this site is limited. Live coral species observed in this area was typical of high energy areas like digitate, encrusting and massive life forms. Live coral diversity was low on eastern side compared to the survey sites on the western side. But this result should be considered cautiously since almost all of the western side reef structure is sandy (gradual sand slope), only the area near the main jetty has live corals or rock patches. Live coral cover at the reef slope was significantly higher than reef flat areas. On the western side live coral cover was higher than that of eastern side. In terms of diversity site four had the highest number of coral genera recorded.