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Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed agriculture project in Funadhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll(2017-09) Musthafa, Amir; Wahhab, Mahfooz Abdul; Adam, RashihuThe proposed project is to undertake an Agricultural Project located in the island of Funadhoo in North Huvadhoo Atoll at 0°33’42.85” N and 73°31’33.83”E. The nearest airport is Koodoo airport approximately 20km north of Funadhoo. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared in order to meet the requirements of Clause 5 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives to assess the impacts of the proposed Agriculture Project in GA. Funadhoo. The main components of the project include: creating accessibility to the island, Vegetation clearance, setting up utilities, harvesting local produce, and livestock farming. Currently, about 90% of fruits and vegetables are imported from overseas to the Maldives. The majority of this food are transported to the tourist resorts and a major portion of the remainder is used by the people of Male’, Hulhumale’, Villingili and nearby islands. The quality of the fruits and vegetables which reaches the atolls is therefore, compromised and not adequate for the population in terms of quality and volume. Therefore, there has always been great need to improve on this condition. As such, one of the main objectives of this project is to meet the needs of the local communities. Interms of harvesting and growth, based on the available land, the growing area will be allocated in a manner which has minimal effects on the natural habitat and trees to effect minimum interruption. One hectare will be designed with net houses to grow most vegetables, such as cucumber, chili, tomato, capsicum and sweet melon. In addition to that, availability of affordable fruits and vegetables to the local communities in Huvadhoo Atoll will be a priority. Goods will be produced using locally available fertilizers in order to promote healthy vegetables and fruits. Another eight hectares will be used for open growing such as coconut trees, banana, papaya, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. A two hectare area will be allocated for facility development as well as maintaining livestock. This will help to maintain a naturally fertile land and make fresh meat available in the local area. A 30kVA gensets will be established at the project site in the powerhouse, along with Two 5kVA gensets. A 10 ton RO plant will be placed in the island along with a 6 ton plant for back up. 3 septic tank systems will be put in place as sewerage system. A rainwater collection system for building roofs would be built to subsidize and support the water production facility. A micro sprinkler system will be laid along the farm for irrigation purposes. Disease control and quarantine facilities will be in place. The project is expected to be completed in 12 months. Regarding existing environment, there are no declared environmentally sensitive areas on Funadhoo island. 9 different types of vegetation species were found on Funadho during the survey. Majority of the mature trees in the island were Screw pines, typical coastal vegetation and coconut palms. It is expected that about 30 to 40 percentage of vegetation will be removed as part of the works. However, coastal vegetation will not be removed and a 20m buffer area will be maintained. The island undergoes erosion on the eastern oceanward side, although a substantial beach could be found on the western atollward side. Groundwater quality of the island was surprisingly poor, with large number of coliforms. Eastern lagoon was covered with seagrass beds, while the seagrass beds were present only near the coast on the Western side. It was observed that the Eastern lagoon was shallower compared to the Western side, having less than 1m at low tide. The results of the surveys show that 49.9% of the western reef was composed of rock with only 1.6% live corals, and limited number of target fish were observed. The legal framework for the project includes existing policy are regulation with respect to any development sensitive to the environment such as the EIA regulation, regulation on cutting and uprooting trees, Environment protection and preservation act, regulation on coral mining, waste management regulation, dredging and reclamation regulation, etc. In addition to these, there are agriculture specific regulation and guidelines, such as the Agriculture policy, general regulation for food establishment, etc. One of the most important set of guidelines with respect to the project is the Maldives Good Agriculture Standards, which has been recently formulated. While it is not mandatory to conform to the standards currently, the study strongly emphasises on its importance and recommends its incorporation to the project. Impact evaluation is undertaken by standard accepted methods. General impacts from development in uninhabited islands exists for the development such as those including vegetation removal and marine dredging, which has been noted among the more important ones. General mobilisation and setup impacts are also there, in addition to establishing and operating utilities in the island. Waste management in a secluded island such as this is important. More specific impacts occur due to handling and using chemicals and fertilizers, animal and pest control, and harvesting procedures. Mitigation measures are given for each impact. Vegetation removal is unavoidable. However, it is recommended to transplant larger trees as much as possible, and to utilise green waste as compost for the facility. Marine dredging impacts are likewise unavoidable. But the harbour is designed in such a way as to minimise the long term impacts. With regards to agricultural practices, it is strongly recommended to follow the Maldives Good Agricultural Practices. Alternatives for the project includes assessment of the no project option as per usual where the need for the project is discussed at length. It is concluded that the no project option is not viable at this stage. Other alternatives such as those for the project site, harbour area, water source, sewage options, and energy source has been discussed. The project has proposed the most simple and commonly used sources and it is recommended to proceed with these for the time being, while the harbour has been designed in the most environment friendly manner possible. Stakeholder consultations were carried out with different government authorities in addition to respective councils. The councils were generally supportive of the project. However, they all unanimously stated that they recommend more involvement of the island communities in development such as these. The government authorities expressed concern with respect to projects such as these and the agricultural industry of the Maldives in general. Monitoring program has been proposed as per usual. It is recommended to carry out annual monitoring even after the construction works have been completed. Important monitoring parameters include groundwater monitoring, marine water, marine life, shoreline, product water, general health and safety at site, etc. One of the key points with regards to impacts is, the scale/magnitude of works will be much less compared to other types of development which takes place in uninhabited islands such as airport developments or more typically, resort developments. The operation stage of the project will also be much more environment friendly than other developments. However, the main area of concern with regards to operation is apart from general good practices in maintenance and waste management, the use of fertilizers and chemicals. This can be regulated if it is ensured that the operation is in compliance with MGAP. In fact, the entire operation can be made sustainable once the operation fully conforms to the guidelines as provided by MGAP. Considering these factors and the great socio economic benefits the project will bring to the regional community, the project can be regarded to be environment friendly on a long term basis. With proper operating procedures as outlined in MGAP, mitigation measures as given in this study, and subsequent monitoring, it is recommended for the project to proceed as proposed.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed 10 storey building construction in H. Asrafee Villa, Male’(2017-09) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 10 storey building construction at the residence, H. Asrafee Villa in the capital city, Male’. The project is being developed and constructed by W Construction Pvt. Ltd., which will undertake the construction works and project management including overseeing the EIA process. The proponent of the project is Adam Shafeeq. 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 favourable 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 for the project to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a moderately built area in the east end of Male’. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site. The existing environment therefore was focussed on the regional climate of Male’, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. The project area does not endure much traffic relative to the general traffic conditions in Male’. 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 old structures and maybe prone to some damages. Older buildings were mostly single storey structures and there was one high rise building on the north eastern corner of the proposed site. Therefore, serious structural defects are expected to be at a minimum, especially considering the standard foundation protection methods. The report does recommend 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, traffic issues 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, albeit an increase in cumulative impacts. The main reason an EIA was required for the project was due to the basement construction and associated impacts. These can be mitigated by restricting the type of storage materials in the area, implementing fire safety systems, and proper mechanical ventilation and drainage. Submersible pumps are proposed for the project as well as mechanical ventilation. The other impacts that do occur can also be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them. Mitigation measure proposed includes creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Other measures include taking 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 in addition to a 1m offset from the adjacent building. Dewatering procedure also needs to be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. Care should also be taken to prevent any damage to the road and disruption to traffic during transport of machinery and equipment. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. No project option is not viable at this stage of the project. Regarding construction methodology, a few alternatives are recommended. Regarding the design also, there are recommendations to make the development greener. These include interior landscaping to incorporate plants, use of green walls, use of LED lights, rooftop solar panels, etc. 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, none that the island community is not yet enduring. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with proposed precautions and mitigation measures as recommended in this study.Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of Thinadhoo, Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, Maldives : change of borrow area(2016-05) Musthafa, AmirThis report is the Addendum to the EIA undertaken for the Proposed Reclamation of GDh. Thinadhoo, Maldives. This addendum is based on the change of borrow area after the sand search campaign has been undertaken. More details on the sand placing method is also provided in this addendum. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under the „Jadhuvalu R‟ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. This report would further conform to the Dredging and Reclamation regulation. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions in an environmentally sound manner. The new dredging location is about 8 km west of the proposed borrow area 1 and area 3 given in the original EIA. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature and the results indicate that the proposed project has minimum negative impact and have an overall net positive outcome. The main environmental positive impacts due to this change comes from the fact that it is slightly far from the resort islands and sensitive areas, and therefore direct impact guests will be minimised. However, the change results in the borrow area being located relatively closer to the inhabited islands area, which also hosts a dive spot and a sensitive area. However, the dredging location is still over 1 km away from the inhabited area, while it is about 7km away from the nearest sensitive area. Dredging activities will no doubt increase sedimentation impacts in the area, although lasting impacts are not envisaged. There are no additional impacts due to reclamation as there is no change in scope with regards to this component. Furthermore, it is important to note that the approved dredge locations in the initial EIA were closer to the “Havodigalaa” sensitive area. Important new stakeholders for the project include Atoll council, nearby resorts, and Management at the Airports company, who may use the surrounding region of the borrow area. The stakeholders consulted did not have any significant reservations. However, they did note that the shallow reef North of the borrow area was used for bait fishing, and fishermen from Madaveli use the general area and channel for fishing. The management at the airports company inquired whether the height of the dredger would cause any issues to incoming aircrafts. Both these concerns were attended to and subsequently, the stakeholders did not have any further issues. The height of the ship will not cause any issue since the channel was south of Kaadedhoo was not going to be used, and all stakeholders will be preinformed before dredging commences. Alternative borrow area options are not viable as the sand search campaign concluded that there are no other significant sand depots within a reasonable distance from Thinadhoo. Alternative areas are those that have already been excluded. The only other viable alternative is to source sand from another region. Importing sand from abroad will be very costly and will have further negative impacts at the reclaim site. It is recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of marine water quality. The monitoring plan proposed in the original EIA is slightly updated to include more monitoring locations, near borrow area. A two stage monitoring plan is given, which recommends quarterly monitoring during the 1st year and less frequent monitoring for the next 5 years. Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures is necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the environment. It is thus recommended that since the project has major socio-economic benefits and environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Moreover, since the change in scope is relatively small, and since the initial EIA has been approved, and also considering the fact that the sand search campaign resulted in only one location within reasonable distance from Thinadhoo to obtain sand, there is no viable reason to postpone or cancel the project due to this change.Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of Feydhoo, Addu City, Maldives : change of borrow area(2016-05) Musthafa, AmirThis report is the Addendum to the EIA undertaken for the Proposed Reclamation of Feydhoo, Addu City, Maldives. This addendum is based on the change of borrow area after the sand search campaign has been undertaken. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under the ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. This report would further conform to the Dredging and Reclamation regulation. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions in an environmentally sound manner. The new dredging location is about 1.5km North of the proposed borrow area 1 given in the original EIA. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature and the results indicate that the proposed project has minimum negative impact and have an overall net positive outcome. The main environmental positive impacts due to this change comes from the fact that it is slightly far from the inhabited area, and therefore direct impact on inhabitants will be minimised. However, the change results in the borrow area being located relatively closer to the manta point, kuda kandu, and maa kandu, which a popular dive spot and sensitive areas respectively. However, the dredging location is still over 3-4km away from the sites. The area is slightly closer to the british loyalty wreck is also 3km away from the dredge area. Dredging activities will no doubt increase sedimentation impacts in the area, although lasting impacts are not envisaged. There are no additional impacts due to reclamation as there is no change in scope with regards to this component. Furthermore, it is important to note that the approved dredge locations in the initial EIA had similar distances away from other sensitive areas in the South. Important new stakeholders for the project include dive centres and fishermen who may use the surrounding region of the borrow area. While some dive centers had significant reservations and had been reported to be outright against the project taking place in the area, their reasons are not backed by sound science and there is simply a lack of information to conclude the dredging in this area will result in any lasting impact to the popular dive spots. Alternative borrow area options are not viable as the sand search campaign concluded that there are no other significant sand depots within Addu Atoll. Alternative areas are those that have already been excluded. The only other viable alternative is to source sand from another region. Importing sand from abroad will be very costly and will have further negative impacts at the reclaim site. It is recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of marine water quality. The monitoring plan proposed in the original EIA is slightly updated to include more monitoring locations, near borrow area. A two stage monitoring plan is given, which recommends quarterly monitoring during the 1st year and less frequent monitoring for the next 5 years. Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures is necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the environment. It is thus recommended that since the project has major socio-economic benefits and environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Moreover, since the change in scope is relatively small, and since the initial EIA has been approved, and also considering the fact that the sand search campaign resulted in only one location within Addu Atoll to obtain sand, there is no viable reason to postpone or cancel the project due to this change.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed 2500 housing units development project in Hulhumale’ Phase II(2017-10) Musthafa, Amir; Aujaaz, NafhaThis report is based on the proposed 2500 housing units proposed for Hulhumale’ Phase II. Eleven buildings in total will be built as part of the project, each 15 – 17 storeys high. The project is being developed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and constructed by Sinohydro, which will oversee the development and project management including managing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works due to the large scale of the project with high rise buildings. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions based on favourable 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 HDC to proceed. HDC is a 100% government entity, which also has the responsibility to set guidelines and oversee all developments in Hulhumale’. The project is part of larger program by HDC to establish 15,000 social housing units in Hulhumale’. Therefore, other similar EIAs have been done recently, most notably for the 7000 housing units projects. Apartments in these buildings can generally be regarded as being targeted towards lower class members of the community, who cannot afford commercial housing projects. The project will contribute to the grand plan by the government of reducing congestion in Male’ by providing a large number of housing opportunities in Hulhumale’. By 2019, it is projected that 15,000 such housing units will be built in Hulhumale’. The existing environment at the project site does not consist of any significant vegetation and the water test result shows normal water quality. There are no residents living in Phase II yet and there is no other structure at the site as well. However there are other similar developments including the 7000 housing units. Other development in the land include shore protection and road construction. During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste generation is the major areas of concern as is the case for similar developments. With proper planning and project management, this can be easily mitigated. Impacts on water quality due to dewatering as identified can be mitigated by dewatering inland. Waste is the main concern during the operational stage of the project, in addition to social issues. Since this will be developed as a condominium with multiple tenants owning the rights of the building, it has to be ensured that the tenants are held responsible to properly maintain the building. Impacts that may occur due to conflicts with other developments being undertaken simultaneously can be mitigated with proper communication and planning before project implementation. Long term social issues are envisaged due to a large population living in a concentrated area. Several social and legislative mitigation measures are proposed to counter this. Also concerns regarding fire safety exists. Proper fire safety measures are very important to be established as well as additional features such as sprinkler systems in each floor. Regarding alternatives, there are no viable alternatives available for the project with respect to location, as the most suitable location had been predetermined during the planning stage. The no project option is also not plausible at this stage and possibilities are outside the scope of this study. Other alternatives including material, foundation type, construction methodology are not necessarily recommended. Recommendations had been made to proceed with the project as planned. It is recommended to dewater inland to an empty land close to the project site after excavating the area to ensure that water is contained in the allocated area, and will not have any negative impact on the groundwater aquifer. An environmental monitoring plan is proposed to be carried out with 2 phases; one for the construction stage, and one for 2 years post construction. Factors to investigate include surveying the amount of waste generation, noise pollution, traffic flow, health and safety at site and water quality. The project in general has minimum impact as it is being undertaken in newly developing land. All project specific building related impacts highlighted in the study can be mitigated. The socio-economic benefits to Greater Male’ City from projects such as these is very high. The project would go a long way in providing much needed additional housing opportunities, which would contribute to alleviating the housing issues in Male’ City, and therefore mitigating the issues related to congestion. Thus, after consideration of all these perspectives, it is recommended that this project proceed as planned, after incorporating the mitigation measures given in this study with the commitment to implementing the monitoring plan given. Furthermore, proper planning and stronger legislation is required to ensure sustainability of such projects and to ensure maximum benefits are reaped from them. Building maintenance legislation needs to be strengthened to ensure such projects provide the maximum benefits to the community with minimum risks over a long period.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed mixed residential apartment building development ‘Fitron Residence’ in Plot C4‐2, Hulhumale’, Maldives(2017-10) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed mixed residential building construction in Plot No. C4- 2, Hulhumale’. It is proposed to build two 10 storey towers, of which 2 storeys will be allocated for commercial purposes. The project is being developed by MUNI Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. The proponent is to oversee the development and project management including managing the EIA process. The contractor has not yet been decided. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works as per the requirements of the signed agreement between MUNI Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and Housing Development Corporation (HDC). In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions based on favourable 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 HDC to proceed. HDC is a government entity being given the responsibility to set guidelines and oversee all developments in Hulhumale’. The project is part of larger program by HDC to establish mixed residential buildings in Hulhumale’. Therefore, many similar EIAs have been done recently. Apartments in these buildings can generally be regarded as being targeted towards middle to upper class members of the community. The project will contribute to the grand plan by the government of reducing congestion in Male’ by providing more housing opportunities in Hulhumale’. By 2019, it is projected that there will be over 1000 such housing units built in Hulhumale’. The existing environment at the project site does not consist of any significant vegetation and the water test result shows deteriorating water quality. There are no residents living in close proximity to the site and there is no other structure at the site as well. However, there are numerous similar developments including Rainbow Oceanfront building development in Plot D2-3 and other developments by ENSIS, APOLLO holdings, DAMAS, etc along the same road. The proposed site also directly faces the Hulhumale’ western shoreline. During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste generation are the major areas of concern as is the case for all similar developments. With proper planning and project management, this can be easily mitigated. Waste is the main concern during the operational stage of the project as well. Since this will be developed as a condominium with multiple tenants owning the rights of the building, it has to be ensured that the tenants are held responsible to properly manage the waste in addition to maintaining the building. Further impacts to the adjacent construction site are foreseen. However, this can be mitigated with proper communication and planning before project implementation. Regarding alternatives, there are no viable alternatives available for the project with respect to location. The no project option is also not plausible at this stage and possibilities are outside the scope of this study. Other alternatives including material, foundation type, maintenance methodology, construction methodology are not necessarily recommended. Recommendations had been made to proceed with the project as planned. An environmental monitoring plan is proposed to be carried out with 2 phases; one for the construction stage, and one for 2 years post construction. Factors to investigate include surveying the amount of waste generation, noise pollution, traffic flow, health and safety at site and water quality. All the impacts as highlighted in the project can be mitigated. The socio-economic benefits to Greater Male’ City from projects such as these is high. It also provides additional housing opportunities, which would contribute to alleviating the housing issues in Male’ City, and therefore mitigating the issues related to congestion. Thus, after consideration of all these perspectives, it is recommended that this project proceed as planned, after incorporating the mitigation measures given in this study with the commitment to implementing the monitoring plan given.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed mixed residential apartment building development ‘The Gardens’ in Hulhumale’, Maldives – Jausa Investments(2017-11) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed mixed residential building construction in Plot No. D2- 1A, Hulhumale’. It is proposed to build two 12 storey towers, of which 2 storeys will be allocated for commercial purposes. The project is being developed by Jausa Investment Pvt. Ltd. and constructed by Jausa Construction Pvt. Ltd. Jausa Investment (Jausa) is to oversee the development and project management including managing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works as per the requirements of the signed agreement between Jausa. and Housing Development Corporation (HDC). In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions based on favourable 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 HDC to proceed. HDC is a 100% government entity being given the responsibility to set guidelines and oversee all developments in Hulhumale’. The project is part of larger program by HDC to establish mixed residential buildings in Hulhumale’. Therefore, many similar EIAs have been done recently. Apartments in these buildings can generally be regarded as being targeted towards middle to upper class members of the community. The project will contribute to the grand plan by the government of reducing congestion in Male’ by providing more housing opportunities in Hulhumale’. By 2019, it is projected that there will be over 1000 such housing units built in Hulhumale’. The study was initially initiated in May 2017. The project however dragged on due to delays in receiving some approvals from HDC. The existing environment at the project site does not consist of any significant vegetation and the water test result shows normal water quality. There are no residents living in close proximity to the site and there is no other structure at the site as well. However there are numerous similar developments including K Park building development in Plot D2 1B and Sandal Mauritius building in Plot D6 1C. The proposed site also directly faces the Hulhumale’ central Park. During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste generation is the major areas of concern as is the case for all similar developments. With proper planning and project management, this can be easily mitigated. Waste is the main concern during the operational stage of the project as well. Since this will be developed as a condominium with multiple tenants owning the rights of the building, it has to be ensured that the tenants are held responsible to properly manage the waste in addition to maintaining the building. Further impacts to the adjacent construction site is foreseen. However, this can be mitigated with proper communication and planning before project implementation. Regarding alternatives, there are no viable alternatives available for the project with respect to location. The no project option is also not plausible at this stage and possibilities are outside the scope of this study. Other alternatives including material, foundation type, construction methodology are not necessarily recommended. Recommendations had been made to proceed with the project as planned. An environmental monitoring plan is proposed to be carried out with 2 phases; one for the construction stage, and one for 2 years post construction. Factors to investigate include surveying the amount of waste generation, noise pollution, traffic flow, health and safety at site and water quality. All the impacts as highlighted in the project can be mitigated. The socio-economic benefits to Greater Male’ City from projects such as these is high. It also provides additional housing opportunities, which would contribute to alleviating the housing issues in Male’ City, and therefore mitigating the issues related to congestion. Thus, after consideration of all these perspectives, it is recommended that this project proceed as planned, after incorporating the mitigation measures given in this study with the commitment to implementing the monitoring plan given.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed 1394 social housing units development project in Hulhumale’ Phase II(2017-12) Musthafa, Amir; Aujaaz, NafhaThis report is based on the proposed 1394 social housing units proposed for Hulhumale’ Phase II. Twelve buildings in total will be built as part of the project, each 14 storeys high. The project is being developed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and constructed by 23rd Metallurgical Construction Group Co. Ltd., which will oversee the development and project management including managing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works due to the large scale of the project with high rise buildings. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions based on favourable 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 HDC to proceed. HDC is a 100% government entity, which also has the responsibility to set guidelines and oversee all developments in Hulhumale’. The project is part of larger program by HDC to establish 15,000 social housing units in Hulhumale’. Therefore, other similar EIAs have been done recently, most notably for the 7000 housing units project and 2500 housing unit project. Apartments in these buildings can generally be regarded as being targeted towards lower class members of the community, who cannot afford commercial housings. The project will contribute to the grand plan by the government of reducing congestion in Male’ by providing a large number of housing opportunities in Hulhumale’. By 2019, it is projected that 15,000 such housing units will be built in Hulhumale’, which would accommodate approximately 80,000 people. Similar to the other building EIA’s in Phase II, the existing environment at the project site does not consist of any significant vegetation and the water test result shows normal water quality. There are no residents living in Phase II yet and there is no other structure at the site as well. However, there are other similar developments previously stated projects. Other development in the land include shore protection and road construction, which is currently ongoing. During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste generation is the major areas of concern as is the case for similar developments. With proper planning and project management, this can be easily mitigated. Impacts on water quality due to dewatering as identified can be mitigated by dewatering inland. Waste is the main concern during the operational stage of the project, in addition to social issues. Since this will be developed as a condominium with multiple tenants owning the rights of the building, it has to be ensured that the tenants are held responsible to properly maintain the building. Impacts that may occur due to conflicts with other developments being undertaken simultaneously can be mitigated with proper communication and planning before project implementation. Long term social issues are envisaged due to a large population living in a concentrated area. Several social and legislative mitigation measures are proposed to counter this, including greater policing activities, larger public spaces, etc. Also concerns regarding fire safety exists. Proper fire safety measures are very important to be established as well as additional features such as sprinkler systems in each floor. In addition to fire safety, other impacts due to fuel storage at site and use and storage of chemicals are cause for concern. These can be mitigated by following the fuel and chemical storage standards and best practice methods. Regarding alternatives, there are no viable alternatives available for the project with respect to location, as the most suitable location had been predetermined during the planning stage. The no project option is also not plausible at this stage and possibilities are outside the scope of this study. Other alternatives including material, foundation type, construction methodology are not necessarily recommended. Recommendations had been made to proceed with the project as planned. It is recommended to dewater inland to an empty land close to the project site after excavating the area to ensure that water is contained in the allocated area, and will not have any negative impact on the groundwater aquifer. An environmental monitoring plan is proposed to be carried out with 2 phases; one for the construction stage, and one for 2 years post construction. Factors to investigate include surveying the amount of waste generation, noise pollution, traffic flow, health and safety at site and water quality. The project in general has minimum impact as it is being undertaken in newly developing land, similar to the other current developments in the area. All project specific building related impacts highlighted in the study, including those related for fire risks, health and safety, and fuel and chemical storage and use can be mitigated. The socio-economic benefits to Greater Male’ City from projects such as these is very high. The project would go a long way in providing much needed additional housing opportunities, which would contribute to alleviating the housing issues in Male’ City, and therefore mitigating the issues related to congestion. Thus, after consideration of all these perspectives, it is recommended that this project proceed as planned, after incorporating the mitigation measures given in this study with the commitment to implementing the monitoring plan given. Furthermore, proper planning and stronger legislation is required to ensure sustainability of such projects and to ensure maximum benefits are reaped from them. Building maintenance legislation needs to be strengthened to ensure such projects provide the maximum benefits to the community with minimum risks over a long period.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 11-storey building construction at Ma. Andhalus, Male’(2016-02) Jameel, Ahmed; Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 11 storey building construction at the residence, Ma. Andhalus in the capital city, Male‟. The project is being developed and constructed by FEDO Pvt. Ltd. They are to undertake 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 favourable 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 southern side. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site, The existing environment therefore was focussed 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 neighbourhood. 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.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 14 storey building construction in G. Hudhukoka, Male’(2013-12) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 14 storey building construction at the residence, G. Hudhukoka in the capital city, Male’. The owners of the land have appointed Zonal Construction Pvt. Ltd. to undertake 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 favourable 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 Male’ city council for the project to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a heavily built area in the heart of Male’. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site, with virtually no vegetation to be seen. The existing environment therefore was focussed 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 could possibly be the busiest and most populated shopping area in Male’ at any given time. Due to the congested nature of the area, the existing condition of buildings nearby was important to be investigated. It was found that most of the buildings in the area were quite old and prone to vibration impacts. However, serious structural defects were at a minimum. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature. Since the development is undertaken in a heavily 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 has 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. The major longer-term impact is the effect the construction may have on neighbouring structures. These impacts can however 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 taking 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 to prevent impact on neighbouring structures, and also dewatering procedure needs to be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. 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 changing the design of balcony railings for safety reasons, provide a green area at the terrace, while the pros and cons of making a parking area, or a mini mall in the building 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 area, it can be concluded that no significant long-term impacts are predicted. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with few minor changes.