Academic Articles -- ޢިލްމީ ލިޔުންތަކުގެ ޖަމާ
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Item Environmental impact assessment for the reconstruction of a harbour in Maabaidhoo Island, Laamu Atoll, Maldives(2013-09) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. The project involves reconstruction of a harbour at the island of Maabaidhoo in, Laamu Atoll. This project is initiated by the government of Maldives as part of its national programme to provide safe harbours to each and every inhabited island in Maldives. Presently, the lack of an appropriate harbour is not only the biggest obstacles faced by the islanders, but the reason why the economic growth of the island is not expanding and diversified. Lack of an appropriate harbour has many development obstacles for islands and similarly, Maabaidhoo is also faced with similar dilemma. At present, the islanders depend on favourable weather conditions to get on and off the island. In rough weather, getting in and out of the island is difficult. In south west monsoon, due to lack of an breakwater make the harbour difficult to use and moore the boats. The proposed project is therefore geared towards developing a third generation harbour on the western side of the island at the existing foot print of the harbour. This harbour is expected to ease many of the challenges faced by the islanders, especially for the vessel owners, as safe mooring will be guaranteed. An environmental assessment was undertaken for this project and the findings are reported in this EIA. This EIA has been prepared to assess the environmental impacts of this proposed harbour reconstruction project. As this is a redevelopment project, significant negative impacts on the marine environment will not be felt through habited modification and direct destruction of the marine environment. Similarly, the coral reef will also be not directly and indirectly impacted from this project. At the same time, the socio-economic impacts of the project will be significantly felt on a very larger group, and not necessarily the islanders only. In such projects, environmental damage cannot be avoided and hence the goal should be to undertake the works in the most least damaging manner. As some area of the marine and coastal environment will be affected, careful implementation of mitigation measures and adopting methods which minimizes damage will be key for this project. Most of these measures are best practice guidelines and protocols that does not require a lot of money to implement. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the island council and the client in order to incorporate the socio-economic components in the project. Stakeholders, most importantly the island community represented by the Island council was the most significant as they have the maximum knowledge and experience from the daily difficulties faced due to lack of a harbour. The redevelopment of the harbour at Maabaidhoo will have some environmental impacts to the island, most of which will be felt on the coastal and the marine environment. The island had been facing erosion since the existing harbour was developed in early 90s. However, natural erosion of the island has been affected to the southern. The biggest threat to islands when a harbour is developed is the disruption it causes to the natural movement of the beach. The social impacts of this project will be significant and will benefit the community as well as the region. The development of a harbour in Maabaidhoo is expected to increase the annual visitor numbers significantly which will have numerous environmental impacts. Therefore, it is justifiable to undertake this project.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal protection and modification to the original concept at Moofushi Island Resort, South Ari Atoll, Maldives(2010-07-01) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the coastal protection works and bring minor modifications to the resort development concept. Moofushi Island is currently under redevelopment. The redevelopment is being undertaken after obtaining the proper approval including the approval of the EIA. Since construction began in September 2005, the need arose to bring minor modifications to the original development concept, which includes the following components. ‐ Construction of a new swimming pool ‐ Extension of the arrival jetty by 10 meters ‐ Construction of new breakwaters for better coastal protection ‐ Modification and repair of some of the existing breakwaters for better coastal protection ‐ Replenishment of the eroded areas of the beach ‐ Removal of some groynes and seawall that are not functioning Although Moofushi has coastal protection, they are not functioning entirely and some areas of the coastline are undergoing chronic erosion. Hence, new coastal protection measures have been suggested. 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 would be that of sedimentation on the nearby reef areas. 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 proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. 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 commitment by the proponent to undertake mitigation measures is proven by the summary monitoring reports undertaken by the client since the inception of the resort redevelopment stage in September 2009 (attached as an annex). Since construction began, Moofushi island’s environment has been monitored continuously as per the monitoring schedule outlined in the EIA of 2009, which was approved for the redevelopment. The proponent also commits to undertake the 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 Environmental impact assessment for the development of a domestic airport in Fainu, Raa Atoll, Maldives(2018-11) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd in order to fulfil obligatory requirements of the National Environment Protection and Preservation Act, Law No. 4/93 for the proposed development of a domestic airport in Fainu, Raa 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. This report is prepared for the project proponent, Island Aviation Services Limited, to establish a domestic airport in the island of Fainu, Raa atoll. The main justification for this project is its alignment with the Government’s policy to improve the connectivity through air transportation and the implementation of the tourism expansion policy. This project will be carried out in three phases. Phase one will comprise of dredging, reclamation, and vegetation clearance, construction of runway, apron, taxiway, terminal, fire station and basic amenities. Phase two will consist of construction of staff quarters, ATC and office buildings. Phase three consists of construction of fuel depot, hangar and service building. This project involves a section from the eastern and western side to be reclaimed to accommodate the length of the runway and the airport infrastructures. The total area for reclamation is estimated at 8.33Ha. The proposed borrow area to acquire the material for reclamation is located at the north-eastern lagoon of the island. A total volume of 249,719.3m3 can be obtained from the area if dredged to a depth of -16m. The entire boundary of the airport on the south, east and west sides will have revetments constructed as shore protection measures. As the project infrastructure is proposed on a vegetated area, the entire boundary area needs to be cleared. This area accounts for approximately 92% of the island’s vegetation2 The concept design for the proposed airport has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives. The infrastructures, asphalt standards, fire and safety measures shall be in accordance with the Maldives Civil Aviation Regulation (MCAR) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The environmental impacts that are anticipated for the project are both positive and negative. Among the activities from the construction phase, vegetation clearance has been identified as the activity with the most negative impacts. This is because the impacts are long term or permanent, and definite. Vegetation clearance effects the physical, biological and socio-economic environments of the island. Dredging and reclamation has its negative impacts mostly in the marine and coastal environments. However, the magnitude of its impacts can be reduced greatly if the mitigation measures are executed carefully. Reclamation has it positive impacts as it increases the land are of the island and thus increasing the area of freshwater lens over time. It also allows greater utilization of the existing island for the community without sacrificing valuable land for airport development. Remaining negative impacts during the construction phase can be considered mostly temporary as they are from mobilization, impacts from the work force, construction and operation of heavy machinery. Although they may be temporary they can still produce major adverse effects and care must be taken to implements the mitigation measures. The operational phase of the project has its positive and negative impacts as well. Positive impacts includes more employment opportunities to Fainu Island the region. It is expected that the tourism industry would have more demand when the airport becomes operational.Furthermore, development to the island community is also expected through stimulation of local economies and other fringe industries such as transportation, trade, food services, fuel, accommodation etc. As more visitors and tourists transiting in the island increases, the demand for basic necessities such as health care would increase, thus resulting in the improvement of the health care facility in the island. Additionally the airport will increase accessibility to healthcare in Male’ as well2 The preferred alternative proposed in this report is for the shape of the reclamation area to be maintained in a more natural shape. The access road can also be shifted towards the island as to abide by the Built Environment Regulation. The no-project option is also recommended considering the two existing airports in the region, and the permanent negative impacts that will be produced. The overall project has a number of concerning aspect, as with any development project of this scale. However it is important to consider the necessity of the project since there is no strategic environmental assessment undertaken for the region or the country as a whole. The proponent shall also carry forward the responsibilities for compensation of trees and the relocation of the island waste management centre, and the recommended monitoring.Item