Environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal protection of Summer Island (Ziyaaraifushi Island), North Male’ Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the coastal protection works at Summer island resort (Ziyaaraifushi). Summer island is currently under operation. For many years, the island has been a victim of chronic erosion. As a result, various coastal protection methods have been used to combat and manage erosion. However, despite these measures, the problem of erosion seems to be taking its toll and the northern part of the island has suffered greatly as a result. Although Summer island has various types of coastal protection structures build around the island, not all of them are functioning and some areas of the coastline are undergoing very serious erosion. Some of the rooms have been completely destroyed and in response, desperate measures have been taken around the island. Roughly 400 meters of emerged breakwater is already constructed on the eastern side of the island from coral rubble, but most of it is now damaged and do not perform the function for which they were designed for. Repairs and realignment of the breakwater is thus required in order to make them properly functional. The coral rubble from which the breakwater has been constructed have failed due to their small size as the exposure of the breakwater to extreme weather do not match their design capacity. Summer island is in desperate need for new, robust and durable coastal protection measures as without them, the island will further fall victim to erosion. This report outlines the details of such measures proposed which includes the rehabilitation of damaged structures, construction of new structures and compensation for erosion through beach replenishment. This EIA is focused on measures aimed at controlling this ongoing and chronic erosion.The proposed project conforms to all prevalent environmental and tourism legislation and thrives to achieve its objectives in the most environmentally friendly manner. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from beach replenishment. The main impact from beach replenishment would be that of sedimentation of the lagoon. This impact is considered to be short‐term and cumulative. The other most significant impact will be the permanent alteration of the shore due to the new coastal protection structures proposed. These structures are going to change the shape and size of the beach line permanently.