Environmental impact assessment for rehabilitation and repair of harbour at Inguraidhoo Island, Raa Atoll

Abstract

1. The Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure requested the services of Maldives Energy and Environmental Company (MEECO) to provide an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) for the rehabilitation and repair of the harbour, Inguraidhoo Island, Raa Atoll, Maldives. 2. The assessment addresses specific key issues stated in the Terms of Reference (ToR) as agreed between EPA and the Proponent following the Scoping Meeting held on the matter. 3. Inguraidhoo harbour was developed in 1998 by dredging into the island from the original coastline of the Island to create the required space for the harbour basin. Since then there was a major repair done in the year 2005, however, the repair and maintenance activity for the harbour had been performed was not adequate. Moreover, the island envision of expanding the basin to cater to the growing demand of increasing vessels in the island. 4. Inguraidhoo has a registered population of 1,842 people. Due to the poor design and workmanship during the construction of its existing harbour, it has failed to provide much anticipated protection and safety for the travellers and vessels. Consequently, the people of the island have suffered enormously. The present entrance channel creates dangerous situations particularly during the rough weather conditions. There had been several incidents of damages to the vessels, people and to property while trying to pass through the channel. In addition to the problems caused due to the deterioration of the breakwater, the original height of the seawall is not adequate to prevent overtopping of waves into the harbour basin creating very rough conditions during bad weather. Similarly the low height of the quay wall allows overtopping of waves into the coast causing flooding. 5. In order to alleviate the above problems the Proponent intends to rehabilitate the breakwater, extending the breakwater to provide protection for the harbour entrance, constructing revetment on the northern and southern ends of the harbour adjoining the land, maintenance dredging of shallow areas within the harbour basin and the entrance channel. 6. The Consultants assessed the potential environmental impacts using sound scientific methodology, literature review and experiences from the past projects of similar nature. In addition views and opinions of the key stakeholders have been reflected in the report. The main findings have been summarised in the following sub-paragraphs. a. Due to the critical role the harbour plays in the socio-economic development of the island, the existing problems associated with the harbour need to be addressed as a matter of priority. b. Environmental impacts assessment carried out for the project indicates that the project can be successfully implemented without an irreversible significant damages to the environment and that the socio-economic benefits to the community and the region far outweighs minor damages that may arise out of the project. c. The project, however, has inevitable low magnitude negative impacts, including, sedimentation over parts of the reef, noise and vibration due to piling and construction activities, pollution from solid and hazardous waste. Hence, the project shall put in place the mitigation measures prescribed in the report while undertaking the project activities. 7. The Inguraidhoo harbour maintenance and rehabilitation project is of utmost importance to the people of the island. The project is in line with the government’s policies and can be implemented in fully compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. The Proponent has given full commitment to undertake mitigation measures given in the report during the project implementation. Hence the negative impacts can be effectively mitigated through the prescribed actions and the project could be implemented successfully.