Environment - ތިމާވެށި
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Item Microbiology behind coral bleaching(މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އެންވަޔަރަންމަންޓް އެންޑް އެނަރޖީ, 2010-09-01) ހަމްދޫން މުޙައްމަދު; Mohamed, HamdhoonItem Lichens - example for living in harmony(އެންވަޔަރަންމަންޓް ޑިޕާޓްމެންޓް - މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް ހައުސިންގ އެންޑް އެންވަޔަރަންމަންޓް, 2011-02) ހަމްދޫން މުޙައްމަދު; Mohamed, HamdhoonItem Environmental impact assessment for jetty work project in V. Fulidhoo(2017) ހަމްދޫން މުޙައްމަދު; Mohamed, HamdhoonThis report discusses the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study undertaken by Independent Environmental Consultant (Mr. Hamdhoon Mohamed) recruited by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure to construct a Jetty and associated dredging works at the Fulidhoo Island in Vaavu Atoll. This report is prepared in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation (2007) under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (1993) and the Amendments to the EIA regulation. The purpose of this EIA report is to fulfill the requirements of the aforementioned law and regulation and conduct an assessment of possible impacts on the ecological, biophysical and socioeconomic environment arising from the proposed Jetty works project in V. Fulidhoo Island. The main rationale of this project to construct a jetty at V. Fulidhoo is to provide a reliable accessibility infrastructure for the island residents in V. Fulidhoo. There is an existing old jetty. However, this jetty is inadequate to meet the demand of the jetty users. Moreover, the old jetty is surrounded by accreted sediments which make the jetty unusable during the low tide period. The proposed project will involve construction of 31.5 m long T- jetty with 4 m width walkway, ground leveling the jetty area, dredging near Jetty area 40m width and 30 m length area, dredging a new entrance channel 24 m width & 181 m length. However, during the field assessments it was found that the proposed dredging area and the access channel have a depth in the range of 4 – 7 meters hence there will be no requirement of dredging during the construction phase of the project. Furthermore, it was found that if the jetty is constructed with a length of 31.5m, there may be a requirement for maintenance dredging during the operational phase of the project. Hence, it is recommended to extend the jetty length upto 60m which will reduce the requirement for the maintenance dredging during the operational phase as the depth of the jetty area will be around 5-6 meters. Key Impacts The project will involve impacts both during the construction and the operational phase of the project. The main project activities which may result in impacts during the construction phase include; excavation for piling the foundation and the footing of the jetty. However, the impact arising from this activity is expected to be short-term. Another project activity during the construction phase of the project which will have a significant impact is ground leveling of the jetty area. The ground leveling will be done from the excavated materials obtained from excavations to place the footing and pilling foundation of the jetty. The main project activities during the operational phase which may have a significant impact on the environment include: maintenance dredging during the operational phase of the project. However, there are very few scattered corals found on the jetty area, hence the direct loss of habitat will be minimal. Sedimentation will be a key impact during the maintenance dredging and with the proposed mitigation measures the impacts of the sedimentation will be reduced. The other project activities which may have impact on the biophysical environment of V. Fulidhoo is stockpiling of the dredged material. The stockpiling will be done on locations identified in this report which are areas of shoreline which are prone to erosion. Coastal protection measures will be constructed prior to stockpiling of the dredged material in order to reduce the adverse impacts of sedimentation. The major socioeconomic impact is found to be positive. The provision of a reliable accessibility infrastructure to V. Fulidhoo will improve the safety and livelihood of the island community in V. Fulidhoo. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the access to improved and reliable accessibility infrastructure will increase the economic opportunities for the island community of V. Fulidhoo in the form of local tourism. Mitigation Measure The mitigation measures were proposed based on conducting appropriate field surveys and environmental assessment of the V. Fulidhoo Island, proposed and alternative locations for jetty construction. The main mitigation measures which needs to be taken during the construction phase include carrying the excavation work only during low tide, exposing the excavated material to rain before utilizing it for ground leveling work and taking precautionary measures and making oil confinement equipment available in order to prevent oil spill accidents. The main mitigation measures to be taken during the operation phase of the project include conducting the maintenance dredging during low tide. Continuous monitoring of the turbidity of seawater in order to reduce the sedimentation impacts during maintenance dredging works. Stockpiling of the dredged material should be done after treating the dredged material with rainwater and coastal protection measures need to be taken in order to avoid sedimentation as a result stockpiling the dredged material. Alternate location, length of jetty and fate of the existing old jetty Alternative location for the jetty construction was proposed on the south-western side of the island. However, the field assessments suggested that construction of jetty at the alternative location will have greater environmental and social impacts on V. Fulidhoo. Hence, the proposed location was chosen. The length of the jetty is proposed for 31.5 m in length, however consideration should be given to extend the length to 60 m which will significantly reduce the chances for requirement of a maintenance dredging during operation of the jetty. The existing old jetty can be removed which will enhance the longshore sediment transport. However, the island residents and island council intend to use this jetty for commercial purposes such as loading and unloading of goods and construction materials. Environmental Management and Monitoring An environmental management plan with environmental monitoring was developed taking into consideration the impacts and mitigation measures to be implemented. The important elements that require checks such as seawater quality, beach profile, coastal morphology and currents will be monitored according to the developed monitoring program during construction and operation period. Although the project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts, such impacts are not serve as to not undertake the project. Mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimize the significant impacts. Hence, the project is justifiable in light of the socioeconomic conditions and anticipated benefits from the project which clearly outweigh the negative environmental impacts.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed 13 storey building construction at M. Dhimyaath, Male’(2017-09) Jameel, Ahmed; Mohamed, HamdhoonThis report is based on the proposed 13 storey building construction at the residence, M. Dhimyaath in the capital city, Male’. The project is being developed and constructed by Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. He will be undertaking the construction works and project management including overseeing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions based on favorable environmental conditions with the main focus on sustainability. The project also adheres to several other rules and regulations in the Maldives and has obtained permit from the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a moderately built area in the heart of Male’, more towards the south western side. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site. The existing environment therefore was focused on the regional climate of Male’, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. As could be seen from the data, this area does not encourage much traffic relative to the busier roads in Male’. There were several existing construction sites in the neighborhood. A general exterior overview of the existing structures in the area was also observed. It was found that most of the buildings in the area were in good condition. Older buildings were mostly single storey structures. Therefore, serious structural defects are expected to be at a minimum. However, the report recommends to undertake a structural defects inspection study of the buildings in the same block as the proposed site by civil engineering experts. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found in literature. Since the development is undertaken in a moderately built area, the results indicate that the proposed project has neutral impact. However, there are some significant impacts on the environment during the construction phase of the project and these needs to be mitigated to avoid any significant damage to the environment. Significance of the impacts and mitigation measures have been provided based on previous similar projects undertaken in the Maldivian environment and based on literature. The main cause for concern regarding this project is the impact it will have on neighbours residing in this area. As such, several short-term impacts are envisaged including air pollution, noise pollution, aesthetic impacts, and safety concerns. As there are numerous high storey building projects being undertaken in Male’, there is no particular long term impact associated with this project. One significant impact specific to this project is the cumulative impact on the neighbourhood due to the sheer no. of construction projects that are simultaneously undertaken in the area. The impacts that do occur however can be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them. The first mitigation measure proposed includes creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Other measures include properly demarcating the area, putting up dust screens, and taking other protective measures to ensure people residing and utilising the vicinity will not have to endure the impacts during the construction stage. Foundation protection measures are recommended and are provided as part of the project to prevent impact on neighbouring structures. Dewatering procedure also needs to be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. During the operation stage of the project, parking and waste management are issues of note. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. Regarding project design, a few alternatives are recommended such as providing a green area at the terrace, while the pros and cons of making a larger parking area is also discussed. An environmental monitoring program is provided at the end of the report, which provides details on the parameters to monitor on site, and the frequency in which it needs to be done. Estimated costs for the monitoring works are given. Implementation of the program is essential for the sustainable development of the project. In conclusion, it is discussed the impact such major housing projects have for the increasing population density in Male’, and how it can be prevented at a policy level. However, taking this project as a standalone development project in an already heavily built island city, it can be concluded that no significant long-term impacts are predicted. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with precautions and mitigation measures in place.