Environmental impact assessment notes for Lh. Olhuvelifushi harbor construction project : Olhuvelifushi, Faadhippolhu, Maldives

Abstract

This impact note deals with the construction of a harbor at Olhuvelifushi in Lhaviyani Atoll. 1. The implementing agency for this project is Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure (MCPI). The project will be executed under the Access Improvement Program of the Government. The project was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Plc. Ltd., Maldives. 2. The proposed site for the project on the northwestern side of the Island appears to be the most appropriate location for the harbor development taking into account environment, construction feasibility and economics of the proposed development. 3. Baseline environmental conditions at the project site indicated that the coral cover around the harbor basin area was very low. The coastal vegetation around the proposed harbor area was mainly thanburu and mirihi, and does not represent any specific preservation value. A very large area was observed to be bare. 4. Significant environmental impacts are predicted for the proposed development project. But these are short term impacts (e.g. sedimentation). These impacts can be mitigated through proposed environmental impact mitigation measures.