Environmental impact assessment for resort development in K. Akirifushi, North Male’ Atoll

Abstract

This is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report carried out for Akirifushi Investmentt Pvt. Ltd to develop and operate a resort in Akirifushi Island located in North Western part of Male Atoll. Akirifushi development project involves creation of land through reclamation and develop and operate 70 room high-end tourist resort with all the necessary facilities and amnesties. The EIA was prepared as fulfilment of the requirement by the Ministry Tourism (MoT) for granting permission for the project. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of development projects is a requirement by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) (law 4/93) of the Government of the Republic of Maldives. The total cost of the proposed project is approximately 20 million USD. The project will be developed within 18 months. The project will create a relatively large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities for the Maldives. Therefore the project will significantly contribute to the economic growth, particularly tourism sector, and other relevant socioeconomic activities This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations published by the Ministry of Environment and Energy 2012 and covers both negative and positive environmental and socio-economic impact arising from the proposed project in Akirifushi Island. Major findings of this report are based on information gathered during the field inspection of both the existing environment and possible effects of the project activities, through extensive literature review and experiences gained from similar projects elsewhere in the Maldives. The proposed project activity will take place on Akririfushi Island and Falhu. Akirifushi Island is an uninhabited island and lies in an E-W oriented triangular shape reef on the western periphery of North Male Atoll. The island is situated on the south western end of Akirifushi Falhu in a north south orientation. Akirifushi ISland is a vegetated rubble cay (Huraa). Vegetated area of Akirifushi is approximately 8000 m2 and island area is approximately 1.4 hectares. Total area of the reef where Akirifushi Island is situated is approximately 75 hectares. After the land reclamation the area of the island will be 8.2 hectares. The island is characterized by fairly young natural vegetation mainly consisting of Kaani, Hirundhu, Dhigga, to a great extent and Magoo, Kuredhi, Boa Kashikeyo and Boashi to a smaller extent in the coastline. A small area covered in Kandoo (mangrove) is found on the northern side of the island in a slight depression where the ground gets occasionally flooded from tidal fluctuations. Only a couple of planted young Ruh were found in the middle of the island. The dominant vegetation on the island was observed to be Kaani, which was mostly found on the eastern parts as well as mixed with other vegetation such as Dhigga and Hirundhu in the middle parts. On the southern side, patches of Magoo were observed while on some of the northern parts mixed coastal vegetation including Magoo, Kuredhi, Boa kashikeyo and Boashi were found Akirifushi Island is found in a single reef on the NW rim of North Male’ Atoll. The reef is triangular in shape with western side slightly curved and the island is located almost at the edge of this curvature. The length of the reef including the reef slope from west to east is estimated to be 1km and the width of the reef from north to south is estimated to be 960m. The total area of the reef is estimated to be 75ha with most parts found in shallow lagoon. The large and deep Vilu on the eastern side of the island occupies almost 15% of the whole reef, while the island and the smaller Vilu on the northern side occupy approximately only 3% each of the whole reef. Hence, the shallow lagoon of the reef is approximately 79% and mostly comprised of sand and rubble, while the western side mostly composed of dead rocks. The general condition of the reef in terms of percent live coral cover is low approximately 10%. During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in Akirifushi Island. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. The report has identified and described in detail possible change that would occur to the existing condition of the environment caused during the construction phase and have suggested appropriate mitigation measures for each and every impact identified in the report. Dredging has been identified as the most significant negative environmental impact that could be associated with the proposed development. Liquid, solid and other forms of wastes and particularly hazardous waste generated during the construction and operational phase has also been identified as significant impact associated with the project and appropriate mitigation measures are suggested for each and every waste related impact identified in the study. The study has evaluated alternative options for some components of the project and has suggested some modifications to the shape of reclaimed area. Also the report found, based on the similar project activities elsewhere in the Maldives, the island and the reef will recover from the expected impacts rapidly and will re-establish a new ecological balance soon. However the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring the environmental changes associated with the development and make necessary adjustment to the activities of the project based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. The report has identified the following beneficial effects form resort development in Akirifushi:  Increased direct employment and training opportunities;  Improvements in environmental quality of the island;  Stimulation of local economy, cultivation and small business opportunities for nearby island communities; and  Increased government revenue and increased GDP. The report found no evidence that the resort development in Akirifushi requires or involves any of the following environmental or socio-economic impacts.  loss of unique habitat or wilderness areas;  resettling of local communities;  removing or destroying cultural properties;  contravening national government of the Republic of Maldives, or island community policies, regulations, criteria, customs or aspirations concerning environment, economy, employment, cultural traditions or life styles. On the basis this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of the planned resort development in Akirifushi Island will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environment.