EIA for the proposed digital terrestrial television broadcasting network development project

Abstract

Public Service Media ( PSM) is undertaking the project to mount communication towers in 22 sites to improve Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast (DTTB). Based on the Decision statement issued on Environmental screening by EPA, out of 22 sites, only 9 sites are required to do an EIA before the project work begin on the sites, and they are Ha. Dhidhdhoo, HDh. Kulhudhuffush, Sh. Funadhoo, N. Manadhoo, ADh. Dhangethi, V. Felidhooo, Th. Guraidhoo, L. Gan and GDh. Fiyori. In each of these islands a communication tower of heights from 40 meters to 90 meters, with a service station with two story height would be constructed. This EIA is a requirement under 5thclause of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (law 4/93) and PSM as the proponent of this project gives their full commitment to undertake all the mitigation prescribed by this EIA for the adverse impact that may cause from the various components of this project. Apart from undertaking this EIA, the proponent needed to take dewatering permit from EPA prior to dewater in order to carry the required dewatering during construction of the foundation. In general, the existing environment of the sites allocated in these nine islands includes few matured trees and coconut palms with tall and medium size of bush grasses. In order to erect the towers the trees and grasses will be removed. From nine islands a total of 237 trees will be removed to clear the nine sites. The main impact to from the project activities were identified is to be depletion of groundwater due to dewatering during foundation work. However this depletion would be very short, infect, it would be restricted to the duration of dewatering. Once the dewatering is stopped, the groundwater will resume being normal through evenly distribution of the existing water lens and also infiltration takes place during rainfall. Loss of species of fauna and flora would be none due to the vegetation clearance. Apart from this, proper mitigation such as piling around the foundation bed would be done to reduce horizontal water flow and to prevent possible landslide. In conclusion, in order to complete DTTB network, PSM required to upright the communication antennas on these nine islands. Without these nine antenna, there will be a gap between the rest of the network, therefore without theses antennas the network will not function properly