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Item Environment impact assessment for the proposed construction of Island Waste Management Centre at Maabaidhoo, Laamu Atoll(2017-10) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to construct the Island Waste Management Centre (IWMC) in Maabaidhoo, Laamu Atoll. The proponent of this project is United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) The contractor for this project is Uni Maldives Private Limited. The main rationale for the project is to establish a sustainable waste management system in the island so that the waste is disposed and managed properly. The project is intended at constructing an island level waste management centre, with a compost ground and machineries and equipment to collect and to manage the waste. This project forms part of Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development (LECReD), a United Nations joint programme which seeks to mainstream LECReD issues into local development planning and service delivery for greater community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits. The proposed project involves the construction of the waste management centre. The IWMC will have a compost pit, waste segregation lots, equipment room, toilet, rainwater tank. This will be implemented as part of this project. The proposed IWMC will measure 89ft by 83ft and will be built at southern tip of the island. The proposed centre will be developed to manage the waste generated in the island and to ensure proper and sustainable disposal of waste. The waste management centre will also composting tools, compacting machineries to manage the waste. A truck of 1.5 tonnes and bins will be provided for waste collection. The duration of the construction of IWMC will take approximately 3 months. Once constructed, it will be handed over to the council for operation. The island community previously disposed waste at different locations of the island and the waste is not segregated. Following the efforts during the mangrove conservation project, all waste is now disposed to the location designated to build the IWMC under this project. 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, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 and Waste Management Regulations and Maldivian Land Act and Decentralisation Act. The existing condition of the island and the proposed IWMC was assessed for this report. Assessments conducted include groundwater quality assessments, and terrestrial assessments. Baseline noise levels were also recorded at the site. The assessment shows that during construction stage of IWMC, main impacts will be increased noise level, air quality degradation, loss terrestrial flora and fauna. The proposed location is a vegetated area where already most of the vegetation has been cleared. However, prior to construction few of the pioneer species will need to be cleared. Other impacts during construction stage possible contamination of groundwater and soil due to leakage of chemical and oil. During operational stage, the most significant impacts on the groundwater, greenhouse gas emission and on biodiversity. If the IWMC is poorly constructed including composting pit, likelihood leachate leaking into the ground is high and this may have irreversible impacts on groundwater quality. During operational stage, the IWMC may be receiving waste that cannot be managed at the site if unsupervised, this may result in open burning waste that result in the emission of toxic gases and chemicals which will degrade the air quality and cause GHG emission. Accumulation and mismanagement of waste also has the tendency to impact the biodiversity in the island whereby certain species are replaced by crows and rats, which will feed on waste stockpiles. The proposed is an aesthetically pleasing site and the visual amenity of the area will also be disrupted. Since the proposed site used to be a wetland, before it was reclaimed from waste, risk of flooding the area during swell tides or torrential rain is high. This may significantly impact the operation of the IWMC. Proper mitigation measures must be taken to reduce the risk of flooding. Overall this is an environmental improvement project.. Through composting and selling recyclable materials the project will also open up business opportunities for the island. In addition, irresponsible dumping and littering around the island may be stopped following the implementation of IWMC and waste management plan. The alternative options were evaluated for the no project option and alternative locations for IWMC. The “No Project” option is deemed infeasible, given the current condition of waste management and disposal in the island. Alternative locations for IWMC were also considered, however as there are no other apt locations in the island, it is proposed to go ahead with the proposed location, with stringent measures to mitigate flooding in the area. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical of the island, ground water quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. Monitoring costs is estimated at MVR 25,000 – 35,000 per annum. The management plan 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. Stakeholder consultations were held with Maabaidhoo Island council, Maabaidhoo public, Laamu Atoll Council, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Authority. Both Maabaidhoo Island Council and public are in favour of this project. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. Operational stage impacts are mainly on climate change, groundwater contamination and on biodiversity. Overall, the project will have positive impacts to the island community under supervised and effective management of the IWMC. . The EIA recommends to go ahead with the project and to develop the IWMC and to follow the mitigation measures to avoid significant impacts. Stringent mitigation measures must be taken to reduce the risk of flooding at the proposed location. It is strongly recommended to develop and implement an environmental management plan to maximise the benefits of IWMC and ensure sustainability of operations.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 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.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 Environmental impact assessment for the construction and setup of a sewerage system in Baarah Island, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives(2017-09) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd in order to fulfill obligatory requirements of the National Environment Protection and Preservation Act, Law No. 4/93 for the proposed setup of the sewerage system (hereafter referred to as the project) in Baarah island, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives. The purpose of this EIA is to identify and minimize potential adverse environmental impacts related to this project and enhance the overall quality of the project. By examining the project location, the legal framework and the existing environmental components such as marine ecology and the socio-economic aspects, this EIA provides useful information regarding the extent, nature and the magnitude of impacts that are likely to occur. The EIA will also help to identify the long term socio-economic benefits to the community after implementing this project. It also provides a framework for future monitoring of the environment, so that changes can be monitored and corrective measures can be undertaken. The proposed project aims to establish a sewerage collection and disposal system in the island of Baarah in Haa Alifu Atoll. The concept designed for Barrah is a gravity type wastewater collection and disposal system. The existing systems are mainly based on septic tanks and small bore sewers. Without proper maintenance these systems are prone to damage and contamination of groundwater can occur. The contamination of the groundwater has occurred to the extent that it cannot be utilized for any potable use. Therefore, the current setup is not environmentally acceptable nor suitable. The sewerage system for Ha. Baarah will be a gravity sewerage system where sloping pipelines will allow waste water from the entire island to flow to three zonal pumping stations. The sewage will be pumped from the pumping station to the treatment plant where it will be treated and discharged via a sea outfall pipeline into the sea. The sewerage system will comprise of elements of a given specification for sewer mains, cleanouts, manholes, vents, pump stations, outfall pipeline and diffuser that will ensure a 30 year design flow The sewerage system therefore comprises of the following components: a) Household inspection chambers. b) A gravity sewerage reticulation network. c) Reticulation pumping stations and pressure main system. d) Construction of a sea outfall to discharge the sewage into deep sea. The proposed project will ensure that the groundwater of the island does not get contaminated through improper sanitation systems. It will also ensure that the surrounding marine environment will improve in terms of environmental quality and will ensure pollution from sewage does not occur on the near shore environments. The project is expected to bring several positive impacts on the environmental quality of the island and the surrounding reef. Particularly, the most significant benefit would be achieved through improvement in the bacteriological quality of the groundwater. The health benefits of the project are worthy of noting as the improvement in water quality are going to bring significant health benefits to the community. Environmental & social impacts and the mitigation measures Several environmental impacts of this proposed project have been examined through a number of processes. These include consultations with the project development team, field surveys, observations and assessment, and field experience gained from similar development projects implemented throughout the country. Potential positive and negative impacts on the environment have been considered. The assessment indicates environmental impacts, both during the construction and operation stage. During the construction period, impacts are likely to occur on the marine and terrestrial environment (groundwater). Most of the impacts during the construction period are impacts related to construction waste, dewatering, disruptions to the local traffic, dust emission, damage to the reef during sea outfall construction and noise. During the operational stage of this project, there will be both positive and negative impacts. Positive impacts include the improvement of the ground water quality of the island. Negative impacts include the increased in extraction of groundwater for toilet flushing that may increase the chances of groundwater salinization at a much accelerated rate. This project does foresee some negative impacts even during the construction stage but is geared towards improving the overall environmental quality of the island, most notably the environmental health. The project is presently planned to lay the sewer pipeline along the centre of the exiting road. During this process, dewatering and construction pose some challenges. Previous experience of sewer construction in the Maldives has indicated that excavation depths more than 3.5m are not recommended for conventional dewatering methods to avoid the risk of undermining and trench collapses as well as loss of structural integrity of the surrounding earth. For the purpose of the Baarah design, the maximum depth of excavation will not exceed 3.5m as per the Design criteria and technical specifications for conventional gravity sewerage systems guideline released by the Water and Sanitation Unit of the Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency, 2015). Strict reference to these criteria will be followed and necessary as the streets are very narrow and congested, leaving limited space for mechanical excavation between buildings for the installation of pipelines. The lack of an established land use plan for the island is also a draw back for Baarah. No land used plan means that future projections rely solely on population statistics rather than the land physically available for future development. The present design is based solely on the existing populated area, centrally located in the island. There are large areas of the island undeveloped and unzoned due to lack of a land use plan. Large areas of the island are used for agriculture and pilot projects have been established with aid agencies to try new agricultural technologies. The island is a potential hot spot for future tourism development due to the vase natural resources (beach, mangroves and thick forests and plenty of land). Different types of developments such as guesthouses and restaurants may require grease traps to prevent large influxes of unwanted material into the sewerage network. Therefore the present design of the system has not considered these future developments and in the event of such developments, the existing system will require upgrading. Requirements may need to be specified at a policy level to counter this issue. Therefore this is a potential risk factor in this project. Despite these shortcomings the project does not pose serious threats to the natural environment (marine and terrestrial) and will directly benefit the environment and the community, both in the short and long term. Minor negative impacts with varying significance will occur as the project is implemented. They include dewatering and localized salinization, disruption to public transport, dust emissions during pipe laying work and reef damage during the process of outfall construction. The pump stations have not been placed around the periphery of the island, instead are located within the population zone. This could pose the issue of foul odour in the event of a system failure whereby the foul odour abatement mechanism is affected. Incorporating the pump stations in the populated areas is a necessity and this design factor will enhance the functioning of the overall system. The project will benefit the community and the island in the long term. It is important to ensure that the project implementation is carried in a sustainable manner and in such the sewerage system can be maintained in a cost effective manner as and when required. It is therefore in the opinion of the consultant that the project does not foresee significant negative environmental impacts and should be allowed. Although the project will benefit the community, the proposed design has a number of disadvantages. Construction of pump stations underground on the streets is seen as a design issue that could have operational difficulties. Instead, the pump stations could be located within the residential block boundary with a small plot of land allocated for the pump station. Selection of sites can be focused on places such as mosque, symmetry and from other public buildings or plots of land. With the present design, a number of operational difficulties are anticipated. Experience from similar systems setup elsewhere in the Maldives have been studied and reviewed for this project. The reviews and experiences from these systems are not infavour of the present design and this is something that needs to be considered before undertaking the project. Sanitation systems must be both environmentally and socially friendly and acceptable. As important as the design is the operation and maintenance. Operation and maintenance should be viewed as a key sustainable aspect of similar projects. No matter how good a design is, the sustainability and acceptability will depend on how good the system functions in the operational period. With the pump stations being located on the road itself, there are a number of such difficulties which are equally as important as the engineering design aspects.Item Environment impact assessment for the proposed construction of island waste management centre at Kunahandhoo, Laamu Atoll(2017-10) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to construct the Waste Management Centre (IWMC) in Kunahandhoo, Laamu Atoll. The proponent of this project is United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The main rationale for the project is to establish a sustainable waste management system in the island so that the waste is disposed and managed properly. The project is intended at constructing an island level waste management centre, with a compost ground and machineries and equipments to collect and to manage the waste. This project forms part of Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development (LECReD), a United Nations joint programme which seeks to mainstream LECReD issues into local development planning and service delivery for greater community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits. The proposed project involves the construction of the waste management centre. The IWMC will have a compost pit, waste segregation lots, equipment room, toilet, rainwater tank. This will be implemented as part of this project. The proposed IWMC will measure 84ft by 89ft. The proposed centre will be developed to manage the waste generated in the island and to ensure proper and sustainable disposal of waste. The waste management centre will also composting tools, compacting machineries to manage the waste. A truck of 1.5 tonnes and bins will be provided for waste collection. The duration of the construction of IWMC will take approximately 3 months. Once constructed, it will be handed over to the council for operation. At present, there is no designated site waste disposal. The island community disposes waste at different locations of the island and the waste is not segregated. 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, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 and Waste Management Regulations and Maldivian Land Act and Decentralisation Act. The existing condition of the island and the proposed IWMC was assessed for this report. Assessments conducted include groundwater quality assessments, and terrestrial assessments. Baseline noise levels were also recorded at the site. The assessment shows that during construction stage of the IWMC, main impacts will be increased noise level, air quality degradation and loss terrestrial flora and fauna. The proposed location is a vegetated area where already most of the vegetation has been cleared. However, prior to construction few of the pioneer species will need to be cleared. Other impacts during construction stage possible contamination of groundwater and soil due to leakage of chemical and oil. During operational stage, the most significant impacts on the groundwater, greenhouse gas emission and on biodiversity. If the IWMC is poorly constructed including composting pit, likelihood leachate leaking into the ground is high and this may have irreversible impacts on groundwater quality, especially given the island has low groundwater lens is prone to flooding. The IWMC may be receiving waste that cannot be managed at the site if unsupervised, this may result in open burning waste that result in the emission of toxic gases and chemicals which will degrade the air quality and cause GHG emission. Accumulation and mismanagement of waste also has the tendency to impact the biodiversity in the island whereby certain species are replaced by crows and rats, which will feed on waste stockpiles. The visual amenity of the area will also be disrupted. However, through composting and selling recyclable materials the project will also open up business opportunities for the island. In addition, irresponsible dumping and littering around the island may be stopped following the implementation of IWMC and waste management plan. Overall this is an environmental improvement project. The alternative options were evaluated for the no project option and alternative locations for IWMC. The “No Project” option is deemed infeasible, given the current condition of waste management and disposal in the island. Alternative locations for IWMC were also considered, however as there are no other apt locations in the island, it is proposed to go ahead with the proposed location, since the IWMC will be built with 1ft elevated as a mitigation measure. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical of the island, ground water quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. Monitoring costs is estimated at MVR 25,000 – 35,000 per annum. The management plan 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. Stakeholder consultations were held with Kunahandhoo Island council, Kunahandhoo public, Laamu Atoll Council, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Authority. Both Kunahandhoo Island Council and public are in favour of this project, although the newly elected council not fully acquainted with the project. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. Operational stage impacts are mainly on climate change, groundwater contamination and on biodiversity. Overall, the project will have positive impacts to the island community under supervised and effective management of the IWMC. . The EIA recommends to go ahead with the project and to develop the IWMC and to follow the mitigation measures to avoid significant impacts. It is strongly recommended to develop and implement and environmental management plan to maximise the benefits of IWMC and ensure sustainability of operations.Item Environment impact assessment for the proposed construction of island waste management centre at Dhanbidhoo, Laamu Atoll(2017-10) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to construct the Waste Management Centre (IWMC) in Dhanbidhoo, Laamu Atoll. The proponent of this project is United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The main rationale for the project is to establish a sustainable waste management system in the island so that the waste is disposed and managed properly. The project is intended at constructing an island level waste management centre, with a compost ground and machineries and equipments to collect and to manage the waste. This project forms part of Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development (LECReD), a United Nations joint programme which seeks to mainstream LECReD issues into local development planning and service delivery for greater community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits. The proposed project involves the construction of the waste management centre. The IWMC will have a compost pit, waste segregation lots, equipment room, toilet, rainwater tank. This will be implemented as part of this project. The proposed IWMC will measure 98ft by 98ft and it will be developed on the southern tip of the island. The proposed centre will be developed to manage the waste generated in the island and to ensure proper and sustainable disposal of waste. The waste management centre will also composting tools, compacting machineries to manage the waste. A truck of 2 tonnes and bins will be provided for waste collection. The duration of the construction of IWMC will take approximately 3 months. Once constructed, it will be handed over to the council for operation. The location, which has been approved, by EPA and MLSA is approximately 1km from the residential and requires the development of an access road. This will incur additional cost and the distance also makes it impractical to transfer waste on a daily basis. At present, there is no designated site waste disposal. The island community disposes waste at two different locations of the island and the waste is not segregated. 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, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 and Waste Management Regulations and Maldivian Land Act and Decentralisation Act. The existing condition of the island and the proposed IWMC was assessed for this report. Assessments conducted include groundwater quality assessments, air quality and terrestrial assessments. Baseline noise levels were also recorded at the site. The assessment shows that during construction stage of the IWMC, main impacts will be increased noise level, air quality degradation and loss terrestrial flora and fauna. The proposed location is a vegetated area where already some of the vegetation has been cleared. However, if the allocated site is chosen for the construction of IWMC, an access road will need to be developed which will require more vegetation to be cleared including palm trees. Other impacts during construction stage possible contamination of groundwater and soil due to leakage of chemical and oil. During operational stage, the most significant impacts on the groundwater, greenhouse gas emission and on biodiversity. If the IWMC is poorly constructed including composting pit, likelihood leachate leaking into the ground is high and this may have irreversible impacts on groundwater quality. The IWMC may be receiving waste that cannot be managed at the site if unsupervised, this may result in open burning waste that result in the emission of toxic gases and chemicals which will degrade the air quality and cause GHG emission. Further to this, distance to the IWMC from the residential zone means a longer commute route which will further contribute to GHG emission from transportation. Accumulation and mismanagement of waste also has the tendency to impact the biodiversity in the island whereby certain species are replaced by crows and rats, which will feed on waste stockpiles. The visual amenity of the area will also be disrupted and given that the nearest island in the vicinity will be developed to a resort this poses major issues in the long term. However, through composting and selling recyclable materials the project will also open up business opportunities for the island. In addition, irresponsible dumping and littering around the island may be stopped following the implementation of IWMC and waste management plan. The alternative options were evaluated for the no project option and alternative locations for IWMC. The “No Project” option is deemed infeasible, given the current condition of waste management and disposal in the island. Given the unfeasibility of the proposed site for IWMC due to the long distance for transportation from the residential zone and from the harbour, alternative locations for the IWMC explored. It is recommended that any other location within 200ft from either the northern or southern direction from the residential zone is feasible or building IWMC. This provides a feasible transportation distance from the collection entities also to the harbour where the recyclable materials can be easily traded. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical of the island, ground water quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. Monitoring costs is estimated at MVR 25,000 – 35,000 per annum. The management plan 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. Stakeholder consultations were held with Dhanbidhoo Island council, Dhanbidhoo public, Laamu Atoll Council, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Authority. Both Dhanbidhoo Island Council and public are in favour of this project, although the newly elected council not fully acquainted with the project. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. Operational stage impacts are mainly on climate change, groundwater contamination and on biodiversity. Since the proposed location for the IWMC is not practical in terms of transportation of waste and the need to develop an access road which will incur additional cost, it is recommended to consider alternative locations for the IWMC. Overall, the project will have positive impacts to the island community under supervised and effective management of the IWMC. . The EIA recommends to go ahead with the project and to develop the IWMC at a site that will not cause major loss of biodiversity or cause GHG emissions. It is strongly recommended to develop and implement and environmental management plan to maximise the benefits of IWMC and ensure sustainability of operations.Item EIA for the airport development project at HAA Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi(2017-10) ZahidThis environmental impact assessment was undertaken by Dr. Zahid, contracted by Maldives Transport and Contracting Company for the development of a domestic airport at Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives. According to Regional Airports, allocated budget for the project is about USD11.4 million. Kulhudhuffushi is an inhabited island located on the south of Haa Dhaal atoll. Kulhudhuffushi is one of the most populous island in the north with a population more than 9000 people. The length of the island is approximately 2.5 km and 0.89 km in width. The most significant natural feature of the island is existence of two wetland areas (Kulhi). The larger one is in the northern end and small one in the south end of the island. Most dense vegetation exists near the wetland area and eastern side of the island. Due to the high population compared to the land size, already there is pressure on the limited available land area. The project involves the development of a domestic airport with runway length of 1220m by 30m width, taxiway with length of 90m and width of 15m and an apron with length 150m and width 45m. In addition to this, a passenger terminal, a control tower and safety buildings will constructed at the Kulhuduffushi airport. Under the project, other related services also will be established at the domestic airport. According to Regional Airports, the proposed runway to be constructed to ICAO standards and will be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives. The proposed airport development involves the clearing of about 6 Ha area of the island. In addition to this, the domestic Airport at Kulhudhuffushi is proposed to be built by reclaiming part of Kulhi and wetland area, located at the northern end of the island. This wetland area has been listed as a “environment sensitive area” due to the unique environmental features of the area. In addition to reclaiming wetland area, for building the airstrip, two areas are proposed to be reclaimed from the sea area as well (two ends of the runway will be built by reclaiming the sea area). Dredging and reclamation will be undertaken by a Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger and borrow area will be from the deep sea . Kulhudhuffushi airport development project activities (construction phase) will have considerable negative impacts on the environment and will have some positive and negative impacts during operational phase. During construction phase, the wetland area will be highly modified and vegetation will be removed from a large area. Environmental values of the environmental sensitive area will be reduced due to the vegetation clearance and reclamation. The main impact is the permanent loss of habitat for the flora and fauna and loss of terrestrial vegetation and deforestation of part of the area allocated for runway and other facilities development. Reclamation of Kulhi also will have impacts due to sedimentation and fish around Kulhi will be impacted from sedimentation. The wetland area surrounding the Kulhi acts as a natural catchment area for flood mitigation. If proper drainage system is not established, the area will experience flood impacts. Associated with reclamation of the sea area for airstrip development, main negative impact would be that of sedimentation on the nearby reef areas. Already the marine environment of the project area is not in very healthy condition. Hence, any additional activity will have far damaging impact on the marine environment. Sedimentation impact associated reclamation is considered to be direct and limited to the construction phase but can have lasting impact. The impact will be quite significant if sand bunds are built around the periphery of the reclamation area as currently proposed, as due to the conditions in the area, it is very likely the sand will get eroded on to the reef. The island might experience some socio‐ economic benefits through employment opportunities and minimising the cost of transport to Male’. Associated with the operational phase of the project, noise pollution will be elevated, aesthetic value of the environment will be reduced, restriction on the construction of multi-story buildings near the airport and generation of waste. Due to the existence of an airport (Hanimaadhoo) near Kulhudhuffushi may not outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the island compared to the limited positive impacts from the project. There are some among the Kulhudhuffushi island community which oppose the airport development by reclaiming the Kulhi area. Instead of Kulhi area, they had suggested to develop the airport on the eastern side of the island. However, due to space limitations, it was informed that this was not practical. Other major alternatives include developing the airport in a different nearby island without such sensitive areas. This would mean Kulhudhufushi community will have to travel by sea to access the airport and has thus been rejected by the concerned Government agencies and a decision has been made to develop an airport by reclaiming Kulhudhuffushi Kulhi area, as airport development project has been a presidential pledge. Mitigation measures for negative impacts associated with the project has been identified. The most important mitigation measure for the reclamation of the Kulhi area is creation of similar environment in another location as outlined in the regulation. This also has been pointed out in the regulation that if developmental activities to be carried out at a sensitive area, similar environment needs to be created in another location in consultation with concerned authorities. A more practical alternative is to ensure the developer undertake a program to protect, maintain and preserve an existing wetland area in the same region. In order to minimize the sedimentation due to reclamation of Kulhi and sea area, it is recommended to use of silt or sediment screens and bund walls as silt screens to cordon the reclamation area. Sheet piles, concrete blocks or geobags can be used as bunds rather than sand. To minimize impacts associated with vegetation clearance, it is recommended to remove the mature trees and coconut palms and replant in another location in the island. As some of the impacts are based on assumptions, it is important to carryout monitoring environmental monitoring during construction and operation. The proponent commits to undertake mitigation measures and monitoring program outlined in this EIA report. Monitoring will help to identify the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and take precautions to minimize any damage to the environment that may arise in the future. Baseline data collected during the compilation of this EIA report can be used for comparing data collected during monitoring period to identify any changes to the environment including changes to wetland habitat, terrestrial environment, hydrodynamics, reef structure and water quality including groundwater and sea water. Although, due to the nature of the project (proposed reclamation of the sensitive area, reclamation of the sea areas, borrow areas for reclamation and huge cost), the project is undesirable from a purely environmental perspective especially due to the impacts on the kulhi. However, considering the existing condition of the kulhi and given the obligation to better protect and preserve a similar environment in the region with a strict conservation program, the impact can be offset to an extent. Moreover, due to lack of land, the reclamation of the wetland area in Kulhudhufushi seems to be a question of when rather than if. There is political will to proceed with the project along with the backing and need of a vocal majority in the island. As this is a project that has long been delayed resulting in significant community issues, it does not seem the project will be delayed any further. Therefore, if the project is to proceed, it has to be ensured that all mitigation measures proposed in this report, especially regarding conservation of a similar environment in addition to the regular monitoring proposed should be undertaken. This is highly important to fully determine the impacts of the project, which will also be a reference for such future endeavours and plans by government and communities.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed mixed use residential complexes in Hulhumale’ hiyaa vehi project(2017-10) Zuhair, Mohamed; Shakir, Ibrahimi) AMIN Construction Pvt. Ltd. proposes to develop 3 Real Estate Complexes for mixeduse residential and commercial purposes in Hulhumale’ known as Hiyaa Vehi Project. The project will be undertaken in 3 land plots (C2-1; C2-2; C2-3) located on Moonimaa Magu and Reethigas Magu. The complex in each land plot will comprise of two residential blocks with a common ground and first floor. The first block (Block A) in each complex will be 13-storey and the second block (Block B) will be 14-storey. The land area of the plots are C2-1 (25,487.52ft2 / 2,367.87m2), C2-2 (27,543.31ft2 / 2,558.86m2) and C2-3 (27,282.07ft2 / 2,534.59m2). Each complex will be developed in a floor area of 14,962ft2 (1,390m2) and the remaining areas will be left as open space. ii) Upon completion of the proposed project, Block A will have 62 apartments and Block B will have 72 apartments in each complex. Hence the total residential use units will be 402 in the three complexes. The Ground Floor and First Floors of the three complexes will be developed as commercial, parking and access ways. A total of 33 car parking slots and over 500 motorcycle parking slots together with some commercial units will be developed in each complex in ground and first floors. iii) The sites will be excavated to a depth of 2.5m to lay the foundations. The entire boundary will be shored with corrugated sheets supported by iron beams as a safety measure while preparing the site ready for construction. The buildings will be developed separately. Each building will rest on a raft foundation. MWSC and STELCO utility services based in Hulhumale’ will be used for all construction and operation purposes. Dewatering will be primarily done on the open areas nearby, hence, no groundwater will be lost from the proposed development. Excavated material will be transported to designated areas in Hulhumale’ 2. iv) The EIA has been prepared as per the EIA Regulations 2012 developed directly under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act and identifies that development of such buildings exceeding 31m in height and over 10 storeys with greater than 5ft foundation require an EIA to be undertaken and approved by EPA before commencement of construction. Terms of Reference for the EIA was approved by 19 September 2017. v) In addition to Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, EIA Regulations, the project has to comply with Dewatering Regulation, Waste Management Regulation, Hulhumale’ Planning and Building Construction Regulation: Neighborhood 2 and 3, Land Act as well as comply with Maldives National Building Code recommendations. vi) In order to understand existing environmental conditions of the proposed project area, assessments have been undertaken including ambient noise levels, traffic volume and movement, groundwater quality, soil and vegetation, physical condition of the roads. vii) The proposed project will be undertaken in 3 land plots C2-1; C2-2; C2-3. C2-1 is located at 4°13'16.84"N / 73°32'26.01"E. C2-2 is located at 4°13'14.65"N / 73°32'25.79"E and C2-3 is located at 4°13'12.57"N / 73°32'25.59"E. All land plots are located on Moonimaa Magu and Reethigas Magu. viii) The highest noise level was recorded at Site 1 located on the southern side of the project site having 51dB. This is relatively low noise levels compared to other areas due to low traffic and minimal activities that are currently happening in the area. Occasional traffic found on the southern side of the project area raises noise level to a certain degree. Site 2 which is located in the middle of the plots had lesser noise (45dB) as no major activities are happening in the area. Site 3 located on the northern side of the plots had slightly increased noise (49dB) which is attributed to some temporary work happening in the plots. Site 4 located on the western side had the lowest level (43dB) as there are no major activities currently happening in the area. ix) The highest traffic along the road recorded was from motorcycles having 28 during the hourly period. The second highest traffic volume is from cars, mainly taxis having an hourly movement of 12 at the time of the assessment. Some movement of trucks and lorries were seen mainly coming and going out of construction sites. x) The general condition of the soil indicates that upper layers of the soil profile contains medium to dense coral sand with varying depths of loose sand below 2m. Groundwater is found at a depth of 1.4m. xi) The groundwater condition at the site is normal with no peculiar condition of parameters tested, except that some 1 MPN/100ml of Faecal Coliform counts have been recorded from C2-1. However, this is not a serious level. All other sites had 0 Coliform Counts. xii) There are no vegetation found inside the project boundary. However, some mixed mature vegetation are found by the roadside which is out of the proposed project boundary. Hence, there is no requirement for removing these vegetation and there will be no major impacts on these vegetation. xiii) There are currently no buildings adjacent to the proposed plot or the immediate surrounding area, however, some buildings similar to the proposed project is planned to be undertaken within the vicinity. C2-4, which is the southern plot (not part of the project) is getting ready for construction. Also, about 75m southwest of the proposed project, a site is getting ready for construction. xiv) The road condition by the project site namely Reethigas Magu and Moonima Magu are in good condition. No damages and cracks have been observed. xv) The environmental impacts that may be associated with the proposed project are predicted and assumed in the EIA Report. These environmental impacts are divided into construction phase and operation phase environmental impacts. Most of the construction phase environmental impacts are believed to occur from excavation, dewatering, construction activities, operation of construction machinery and vehicles and construction waste disposal. The main environmental impacts believed to occur during operation phase of the project include domestic waste and increased traffic within and around areas. xvi) With appropriate environmental management and mitigation measures as well as conformity to all the legal and regulatory requirements as outlined in the EIA Report, the project is believed to control or minimize most of the environmental and social impacts both during construction and operation phases of the development. Important considerations with regards to mitigating environmental impacts include closing the boundary of the project area, placing safety and dust nets around the building, regularly transporting construction waste and avoiding material transport during peak traffic hours as well as designating proper time periods for construction works have been identified. xvii) Unlike short-term environmental impacts from the proposed development, it has longterm beneficial social and economic impacts, which is believed to tremendously contribute to the overall socio-economic development of Hulhumale’ that can be sustained for over longer periods. xviii) Although during construction of the project, negative environmental impacts from construction activities have been envisaged, with appropriate environmental management and mitigation measures, these impacts will be reduced to a considerable level. Also, with positive socio-economic outlook of the project and considering the overall importance of such a development in Hulhumale’ to alleviate social housing stress, it is concluded that the project is an important project that can be implemented for the benefit of social and economic development.Item Environmental impact assessment report development of 100 bed hospital at Addu City(2017-10) Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group1.1 Background The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the construction and development of a 100 bed tertiary level hospital at Hithadhoo, Addu City. The proponent of this project is the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and total estimated cost of the project is approximately MVR 162 million. The proposed project will be developed through redevelopment of the Equatorial Convention Centre which was developed in Addu City to host the SAARC Summit in 2011. Parts of some ponds introduced for aesthetic and flood control purposes within landscaping of ECC development would be backfilled for the construction of the Services and Utilities buildings on the south western and south eastern side of the main building. Once completed, the hospital will be handed over to the Ministry of Health, as the main operator and regulator of the Health sector in the Maldives. The facility will be constructed and developed to provide care in a number of departments and areas, details of which are provided in Section 5.2.1. 1.2 Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Impacts on the environment from various activities of the project development work (constructional impacts) and operational impacts have been identified through interviews with the project management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience of consultant in similar projects. Impacts were analysed for their significance with the aid of a Leopold Matrix. In any development project, major direct impacts to the environment occur mainly during the construction phase. Potential direct or indirect impacts on the environment from the proposed project include: Moderate impacts on pond water and groundwater resource due to backfilling works; Minor impact on vegetation due to the need to cut down vegetation located at the plots allocated for construction of infrastructure; Impact due to air and noise pollution during construction work; Impact due to flooding within vicinity Impact due to waste generation, especially during operational phase Risk of accidents on hospital staff and patients Positive impact on social wellbeing and health due to provision of good quality care Mitigation measures are discussed for the activities which would have potential impacts during the construction and operational phase of the project. In general, during the construction stage it is important to use a method of construction which has the least impact on the environment. Specific measures highlighted include: • Preplanning ways so as to expose backfill material sourced from MRDC, Addu City to rainfall, to decrease its salinity • Proper waste management and disposal to mitigate issues due to domestic waste and hospital related biohazardous waste • Establish Standard Operating Procedures for all departments and facilities at the hospital, so as to avoid accidents which pose risks to the staff and patients Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 of the report. Alternatives has been considered with respect to project location, as there is disagreement from the Council regarding proposed location. While proposed location is an existing structure and thus project development would have minor impact on environment, it is also considered by the island community as a site of significance and hence do not want to turn the facility into a hospital. The no-project scenario is also considered, which would mean that all environmental impacts due to the project and disagreements regarding use of ECC for the project would no longer be an issue. However, this means that health care for the population of Addu City will be provided as is now, through the Regional Hospital, which does not offer all of the facilities as proposed in the project. Hence, the community would not benefit from many benefits offered through better health care facilities and services offered through the project. The environmental impacts predicted for the project are minor to moderate, given that the project development is mainly at an existing structure. Hence the benefits of developing the hospital and better health care facilities outweigh the cost to the environment and are seen to be far more beneficial than the cancellation of the project. Therefore the “no-project” scenario is not an ideal solution and it is recommended that the project be continued, but with the proper implementation of all mitigation measures proposed in the report. One key recommendation of the consultant is the formulation and implementation of regulations which regulate the healthcare sector, especially those related to development of healthcare facilities (and criteria) and waste disposal from healthcare facilities. This is crucial for the improvement of the sector through both proper service provision and mitigating environmental impacts.