Environment - ތިމާވެށި
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Item Environmental and social management plan for upgrading island waste management centre at Fuvahmulah(2016) Zuhair, Mohamed HamdhaanThis is a sub-project undertaken under, Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP), a World Bank managed, European Union and Australian Aid funded project implemented by Ministry of Environment and Energy on behalf of the Government of Maldives. This project will provide the basic infrastructure for management of waste at Fuvahmulah and ensure composting is undertaken at the island. Appropriate training will be provided to island level staff for this purpose. The main targets of the project include the following; ensure that target island has resolved its waste management issues, establish rules and regulations for waste management, reduce the waste produced and to use reusable materials, aggregate all waste that is produced and dispose-off properly, raise awareness of the community regarding the economic benefits of keeping the island clean and establish a mechanism to ensure that waste is managed appropriately through a proper collection system. The main components of the project include the following; establishment of waste collection system, upgrading of Island Waste Management Centre (IWMC), providing machinery for waste management and transportation of waste to Regional Waste Management Facility (RWMF). The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed within 06 months. The only activity that will be undertaken outside the footprint of the existing IWMC is clearing of vegetation at the project site. The area to be cleared is only sparsely vegetated and consist of one or two mature trees and few mature coconut palms. Impacts were assessed using rapid impact assessment matrix method and it was identified that the only foreseeable impacts of the project are related to vegetation clearance. Impacts related to construction can be easily mitigated by following good practices and the impacts of operational phase are primarily positive. Environmental Management Plan for Upgrading of IWMC at Fuvahmulah The environmental monitoring program proposed for this project, ensures that the mitigation measures are implemented and records are maintained in terms of social and environmental impacts of the project. The proposed grievance redress mechanism ensures that any public concerns as a result of the project are attended and addressed promptly. Overall, it is hoped that this will be a positive project that is beneficial to the community of Fuvahmulah.Item Environmental and social management plan : upgrading island waste management centre at Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo(2016) Zuhair, Mohamed HamdhaanThis is a sub-project undertaken under, Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP), a World Bank managed, European Union and Australian Aid funded project implemented by Ministry of Environment and Energy on behalf of the Government of Maldives. This project will provide the basic infrastructure for management of waste at Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo, Addu atoll, and ensure composting is undertaken at the island. Appropriate training will be provided to island level staff for this purpose. The main targets of the project include the following; ensure that target island has resolved its waste management issues, establish rules and regulations for waste management, reduce the waste produced and to use reusable materials, aggregate all waste that is produced and dispose-off properly, raise awareness of the community regarding the economic benefits of keeping the island clean and establish a mechanism to ensure that waste is managed appropriately through a proper collection system. The main components of the project include the following; establishment of waste collection system, upgrading of Island Waste Management Centre (IWMC), providing machinery for waste management and transportation of waste to Regional Waste Management Facility (RWMF). The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed within 06 months. This project is proposed to be undertaken immediate north of the existing dump site, at the location of the abandoned IWMC built by Red Cross after Tsunami. The existing IWMC is proposed to be expanded to cater for the current population of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. Impacts were assessed using rapid impact assessment matrix method and it was identified that the only foreseeable negative impacts of the project are related to vegetation clearance. Impacts related to construction can be easily mitigated by following good practices and the impacts of operational phase are primarily positive. Environmental and Social Management Plan for Upgrading of IWMC at Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo The environmental monitoring program proposed for this project, ensures that the mitigation measures are implemented and records are maintained in terms of social and environmental impacts of the project. The proposed grievance redress mechanism ensures that any public concerns as a result of the project are attended and addressed promptly. Overall, it is hoped that this will be a positive project that is beneficial to the community of Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo.Item Environment and social impact assessment for the proposed community-based wetland management plan and associated activities in Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey area of Hithadhoo Island, Addu City(2014-01) Shaig, AhmedThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Bank (WB) to implement the proposed Community-based Wetland Management Plan (CBWMP) and more specifically the proposed construction and operation of the ecotourism activities within the plan. The CBWMP focuses on better managing the “Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey” protected area of Hithadhoo Island in Addu City through participation from the community. This project is part of the Wetland Conservation and Coral Reef Monitoring for Adaption to Climate change (WCCM) Project being implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, under a multi-donor Maldives Climate Change Trust Fund, administered by World Bank. The proponent of this project is the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). The term Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is used interchangeably in this report. However, this report does not equate to a Social Impact Assessment as used by EPA. The main rationale for the project is to practically implement the declared protected area for the Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey by developing an enforcing a proper management plan. The vision of the CBWMP is to “conserve and enhance nationally significant wetland and marine habitats and biodiversity while providing opportunities for sustainable economic and ecological benefits to the local community”. The long-term objectives of the plan are: (i) the preservation and enhancement of the natural assets of the area as a contribution to the global biodiversity conservation; (ii) the recognition of these natural assets as an added value for the development of new and alternative sustainable socio‐economic activities, in particular ecotourism, and: (iii) to develop an innovative demonstration model for managing and conserving valuable wetland ecosystems ensuring a durable community involvement. The project broadly involves creation of a management plan or the CBWMP. It proposes a modification to the existing EPA Directive defining the zoning for the Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey protected area, including the creation of two core areas and two marine buffer zones. It also proposes a work programme for the CBWMP which covers seven main components: administrative; provision of facilities and equipment; conservation programme; public use and outreach; livelihoods programme; socio-economic promotion and development; and research and monitoring. This EIA (ESIA) is mainly concerned with the proposed construction works under the plan and the operation of visitor facilities. More specifically, the scope of activities covered in this EIA are the construction of the Visitor Centre, board walk, bird observatories, viewpoints, picnic area, ranger huts, removal of existing waste, installation of mooring buoys on the reef and the operation of these facilities. All project activities will be in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, Decentralization Act, General Laws Act 4/68, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012, Waste Management Regulation, Regulation on Cutting Down and Uprooting Trees and Dewatering Regulation. The project requires meeting the World Bank Safeguard Policies to ensure that Bank operations do not harm the people and the environment. The WB’s Operational Policies (OP) that are deemed applicable to this project are: (i) Environmental Assessment: OP/BP 4.01; (ii) Natural Habitats: OP 4.04; and (iii) Physical Cultural Resources: OP 4.11. Hithadhoo Island is the second largest island in the Maldives and contains two of the largest wetland in any island of Maldives. The northern wetland Eidhigali Kilhi and Koattey area has been declared a protected area in 2004. The protected area has been modified through human activities such as changes to vegetation, farming activities and mining activities. Current activities in the area having a negative impact on the environment include illegal sand mining, illegal waste disposal and improper farming activities. The proposed management plan is designed address these issues. The proposed site for visitor centre contains vegetation cover including medium sized coconut trees and other bush plants. These trees will have to be removed or relocated. The visitor centre is located outside the protected area boundary. The proposed visitor facilities within the boundary such as the boardwalk, viewpoints and fencing will not require removal of trees as they can be adjusted to avoid the trees. Significant impacts from this project during construction phase are the potential impact of dewatering and excavation; potential impacts on groundwater quality due to contamination; impacts from disposal of waste; noise and vibration impacts on fauna; impacts on terrestrial environment due to vegetation removal; impacts on marine environment due to marine buoy installation; health and safety risks to construction workers. The main anticipated negative impacts during operations stage are the impacts on flora and fauna due to potentially higher visitor numbers and potential discontent from the some public groups due to inability to use the protected area for commercial purposes. The project mainly has positive socio-economic benefits, including increased direct and indirect job opportunities, tourism growth and conservation of the island’s iconic environment. Key mitigation measures for the construction stage include working during daytime, relocation of large trees, avoiding removal of any trees from protected area boundary, proper waste management, installation of a suitable septic tank system, awareness programmes and ensuring health and safety during construction The alternatives evaluated for the project are alternative foundation laying methods. The “No Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the current condition of the site. This project has strong support from the island community and all site plans have been seen and approved by the City Council. There is a general dissatisfaction due to the slow pace of the project. The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMF) for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition, provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. The framework also defines communications mechanisms, training, stakeholder engagement plan, including the Grievance Redress Mechanism, and health and safety management plan. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the terrestrial environment of the island groundwater quality, noise levels, occupational health and safety, waste, vegetation cover and socio-economic indicators, as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. The total cost of mitigation and monitoring are estimated between Rf75,000-100,000, depending on the need for dewatering and tree relocations to distant parts of the island. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts on terrestrial environment. However, mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimise these significant impacts and the proposed ESMF defines the mechanisms to implement and monitor these measures.