Environmental impact assessment for the construction of additions at B. Landaa Giraavaru

Abstract

The potential environmental impacts associated with the construction of Additions at Landaa Giraavaru are assessed in the present report. Landaa Giraavaru Resort is looking to upgrade its facilities with a wedding pavilion, a new line employee block and an upper floor at the management block. The wedding pavilion is required in order to provide a response to the existing tourist demand of celebrating nuptials in a separate and intimate environment. The staff buildings are required to accommodate the increasing number of employees. In order to meet the highest standards, the wedding pavilion has been designed as an overwater structure, not connected to land. Landaa Giraavaru has been developed since 2004 by Landaa Giraavaru Pvt. Ltd. as a tourist resort and is operated by Four Seasons. The proponent contracted Seamarc Pvt. Ltd. to carry out the survey and environmental impact assessment for the current project. The assessment analyses the environmental conditions at the site with regard to the proposed activities, in order to forecast the impacts. It then proposes solutions, alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits from the project. Main equipment to be used is a floating barge, concrete mixer, excavators and general construction tools operated by the resort engineering department. The present development follows the legislation, plans, policies, guidelines and international conventions outlined by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) of the Maldives and the Maldives Tourism Act of Maldives. There are many stakeholders that can affect and be affected by the development projects. The project proponent has a duty to conserve the environment and the environmental consultants play a major role in informed decision making and communication of information. The MOT, MEE and EPA are responsible to implement the EIA process. Impacts to the environment are divided into two. Impacts during construction - physical and indirect impacts are predicted using survey results and past experiences - and impacts during operations-. Limitations in impact prediction are possible. Significant impacts assessed include: disturbance of sea bed, modification of the hydrodynamic regime, loss of habitats and vegetation, sedimentation due to sediment plume, noise, smell and other disturbances to habitats as well as greenhouse gas emissions.The no-project scenario will lead to the lack of updated facilities for the resort’s operation. Alternatives to the proposed project has been studied -including different locations of the buildingsfinding many disadvantages. Mitigation measures will be adopted for each of the impacts mentioned. Monitoring to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures and environmental impact monitoring will be carried out under the supervision of environmental consultants.