Environmental impact assessment for the proposed land reclamation of Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrication plot at Thilafushi

Abstract

1. This report provides the finding of an environmental impact assessment conducted for a reclamation project in K. Thilafushi, initiated by Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrications in accordance with the Environmental Act and EIA Regulations 2012. The report was compiled by Maldives Environment and Energy Company (MEECO) to fulfil the requirements of law. The main objective of the project is to ease accessibility to the company’s facility and alleviate congestion at the facility due to lack of space. 2. The marine industry, and marine transportation is a crucial sector to the national development. This sector has been rapidly expanding in recent times as local tourism had kick started in the country. With the need for better and streamlined sea transportation mechanisms to connect inhabited islands where local tourism are flourishing, Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrications has experienced an insurgence of demand. With high demand comes the need to expand the current production facility and provide better services to clients. This has become a limitation to the company as the total area (65,000 ft2) allocated and leased to the company by Thilafushi Corporation Limited was found to be inadequate to meet these needs. The eastern plot leased to the company included a very shallow water body of approximately 537 m2. Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrications, dredged this area and constructed a breakwater to develop an enclosed harbour to use it as an access point to their facility and to dock company vessels. However, with the expansion of industrial activities at Thilafushi, more plots were leased to companies which created congestion in the harbour. Issues of accessibility and inadequate space at their production facility prompted the company to construct a better accessibility facility and to reclaim the dredged harbour area to capitalise on the extra space it would create. 3. In order to solve, the issues of accessibility, congestion and unauthorised access to the harbour area, the proposed project includes reclaiming the harbour area that measures 17X30 m. The amount of fill material required for the proposed reclamation was calculated to be 1,700 m3 4. Environmental impacts were identified and assessed for both the construction phase (reclamation) and operational phase of the project. The project would result in permanent loss of a relatively small lagoon space. Reclamation would also result in sedimentation and degradation of water quality and relocation of vessels anchored at the location. Due to the small scale of the project, and that fact that the project environment has been heavily modified, with no live corals and very limited fish life, it is evident that the project would not result in loss of an ecologically important environment. Sedimentation as result of reclamation was found to be the most important environmental impact of the project. However, this will be contained as reclamation will be carried out after sheet piling the reclamation area. Significant positive impacts were identified for the implementation phase of the project. The project would not only address difficulty in accessibility but it will also aid the economic growth of the company and contribute to the wider economy of the nation. Alternative reclamation methods have also been proposed in the report with their advantages and disadvantages. 5. Baseline and acceptable thresholds have been established for monitoring any unforeseen negative effects of the project in the surrounding environment by establishing control points. Should the recommended thresholds exceed, the project shall temporarily cease, the casue of the problem shall be recognised and additional corrective measures shall be undertaken after consultation with the Project’s environmental consultant. 6. The Proponent, Guarantee Fibreglass fabrication is committed to undertake the necessary mitigation measures and monitoring during all stages of the project that has been proposed in the report. The project is in line with the national development polices of the government and planned to be executed in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations of the Maldives pertaining to conservation of the environment if implemented in accordance with the report. 7. In conclusion, the project is expected to generate economic and social benefits while as per the assessment, carrying out the project would not result in loss of environmentally sensitive or unique habitat. Since all identified negative effects of the project can be mitigated by practical measures, it is concluded that the project can proceed as planned.