Academic Articles -- ޢިލްމީ ލިޔުންތަކުގެ ޖަމާ
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal protection of Summer Island (Ziyaaraifushi Island), North Male’ Atoll, Maldives(2011-01) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the coastal protection works at Summer island resort (Ziyaaraifushi). Summer island is currently under operation. For many years, the island has been a victim of chronic erosion. As a result, various coastal protection methods have been used to combat and manage erosion. However, despite these measures, the problem of erosion seems to be taking its toll and the northern part of the island has suffered greatly as a result. Although Summer island has various types of coastal protection structures build around the island, not all of them are functioning and some areas of the coastline are undergoing very serious erosion. Some of the rooms have been completely destroyed and in response, desperate measures have been taken around the island. Roughly 400 meters of emerged breakwater is already constructed on the eastern side of the island from coral rubble, but most of it is now damaged and do not perform the function for which they were designed for. Repairs and realignment of the breakwater is thus required in order to make them properly functional. The coral rubble from which the breakwater has been constructed have failed due to their small size as the exposure of the breakwater to extreme weather do not match their design capacity. Summer island is in desperate need for new, robust and durable coastal protection measures as without them, the island will further fall victim to erosion. This report outlines the details of such measures proposed which includes the rehabilitation of damaged structures, construction of new structures and compensation for erosion through beach replenishment. This EIA is focused on measures aimed at controlling this ongoing and chronic erosion.The proposed project conforms to all prevalent environmental and tourism legislation and thrives to achieve its objectives in the most environmentally friendly manner. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from beach replenishment. The main impact from beach replenishment would be that of sedimentation of the lagoon. This impact is considered to be short‐term and cumulative. The other most significant impact will be the permanent alteration of the shore due to the new coastal protection structures proposed. These structures are going to change the shape and size of the beach line permanently.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal protection at Embudhoo Village, South Male Atoll, Maldives(2011-01) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the coastal protection works at Embudhoo. The environmental monitoring that had been carried out at Embudhoo for the past 3 years indicates that the western side is undergoing chronic erosion and the coastal protection structures on the island are not functioning. Hence, there is a need to modify the existing coastal protection around and undertake beach replenishment as to recover the lost beach. It is proposed that a set of groynes will be established on western side and a breakwater on eastern side of the island using geotextile material. Beach nourishment will be undertaken using a sand pump aided by excavators. The material required for the beach nourishment works will be obtained from the proposed borrow areas on western side of the island. The total volume of material that needs to be obtained for beach nourishment on western and eastern side of the island is estimated to be 6400 m3. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from breakwater and beach replenishment. The main impact would be that of sedimentation on the lagoon. This impact is considered to be short‐term and cumulative. Nevertheless, mitigation measures have been proposed for anticipated negative impacts. Mitigation measures for these negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, especially sedimentation control methods. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the replenishment areas. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be quite appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation, which may cause death or partial death of corals. The proponent commits to undertake the mitigation and monitoring programme set out in this EIA report knowing that monitoring will help to identify the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and take precautions to minimize any damage to the main tourist attraction of the island, which is its environment. Therefore, it appears justified from a technical, social, economic and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed modifications.Item Addendum to environmental impact assessment for the proposed upgrading and redevelopment in Athuruga Resort, South Ari Atoll, Maldives(2009-12-01) Water SolutionsThis is an addendum to the EIA submitted in May 2009 for the redevelopment of Athuruga resort in South Ari Atoll. This Addendum highlights the different modification to the initial redevelopment project that was proposed in the EIA report. These includes, deepening the existing entrance channel, undertaking the coastal protection component including construction of the groynes, nourishment of eroded beach and construction of breakwaters, reuse of corals from demolition wastes as an effective waste management strategy and the relocation of the proposed overwater restaurant from the northern side of the walkway jetty to the southern side. The other changes that had been brought to the redevelopment project includes reducing the number of over water bungalows from 25 to 23, reduce the number of house‐keeping huts on the walkway jetty from 3 to 2, not developing the over‐water spa in the southern side of the walkway jetty and changing the reception at the centre of the northern walkway jetty to a bar. The new changes that had been brought to the master plan of the development would decrease the development foot print on the marine environment. The new component that had been included in the redevelopment project is the coastal protection component that was not initially proposed in the original project. Groynes had been built in Athuruga for many years. This has helped to retain the beach and prevent severe erosion of the island. However, since the re‐development project was initially proposed without the coastal protection component, this component has been proposed in this addendum in order to undertake the works as without coastal protection, it would be very challenging to manage erosion. The coastal protection component was not included in the redevelopment project, as the groynes existed on the island and these structures, which were made out of corals and coral rubbles, were moved around depending on the monsoon. Hence, it is proposed to build these groynes field around the island. Since Athuruga has lost large amount of beach, replenishment of sand is required to prevent further erosion and sustainably manage the coastline. The proposed project includes pumping of 6,900 m³ sand to the beach on the western, northern and eastern side of the island. Part of the materials for the beach replenishment would be obtained from the excavated spoil from the channel deepening component of the project. It is also proposed to build a submerged breakwater at the northern and western side of the island. This has been proposed as a additional defence to prevent the continuous erosion that the island endures. The project also proposes to deepen the existing entrance channel which is located on north western side of the island. The channel has become very shallow, causing difficulty for the boats to access the island during low tides. The project is proposed to deepen the existing channel to a depth of 3 meters at low tide. Since coral rubbles on a sandy sea floor is the main benthic substrate found in the existing channel, the channel deepening operations with an excavator is not expected to have a significant impact on the marine environment. The concept of redevelopment is to capture the architectural signature that was originally created at the island. Therefore, with this intention, the new buildings which are constructed with building blocks is being planned to be decorated with a layer of corals that have been recovered in the demolition waste stream. In the original EIA, this issue was not extensively elaborated. Hence, this addendum has included a section which deals with the reuse of the corals in the demolition waste stream. The proposed changes appears justified from an environmental point of view as there are no additional moderate to major impacts on the environment due to the proposed changes.Item Addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal protection in Alidhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives(2010-05-01) Water SolutionsThis is an addendum to the EIA submitted in April 2008 for the proposed coastal protection of Alidhoo resort in Haa Alif Atoll. This Addendum highlights the maintenance component to the initial project that was proposed in the EIA report. In principle, the addendum addresses maintenance component only. These include, deepening the existing mooring area and repairing part of the vertical emerged breakwater which has been damaged by bad weather. The breakwater repair will not modify the breakwater and it is intended to restore the breakwater to its original design. The proposed maintenance work will not increase the foot print on the marine environment. The proposed deepening of the existing mooring area which is located on north eastern side of the island will aim to restore the depths initially proposed for the mooring area. The mooring area has become very shallow, causing difficulty for the boats to access during low tide. The project is proposed to deepen the existing mooring area to a depth of 3 meters at low tide, only in areas where filling has taken place. Since fine sand and few coral rubble is the main benthic substrate found in the mooring area, the deepening operations with a sand pump is not expected to have a significant impact on the marine environment. Approximately 450 cubic meters of sand will be dredged from the mooring basin. The maintenance work proposed is aimed at restoring the original project to meet its original objectives and to ensure that the resort operation is not affected. Hence, this addendum highlights these issues which need to be undertaken. The proposed maintenance work appears justified from an environmental point of view as there are no additional moderate to major impacts on the environment due to the proposed works. Through this EIA addendum, the proponent proposes to undertake the maintenance work and also a permit to undertake annual deepening of the mooring area.