Academic Articles -- ޢިލްމީ ލިޔުންތަކުގެ ޖަމާ
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Item Environmental audit report : Taj Coral Reef Maldives (Hembadhoo, North Male Atoll) : powerhouse registrations(2011-10) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupItem Environmental impact assessment report : development of Transit Hotel and Marina Finolloss, Baa Atoll(2011-09) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupBackground The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Transit Hotel and a Marina facility on the island of Finolhoss, Baa atoll. This hotel is developed as part of the airport development project in Dharavandhoo, Baa atoll. The Transit Hotel at Finolhoss will be operated by Coastline Hotels and Resorts under Coastline Group of Companies Pvt Ltd. Project Detail Finolhoss will be developed as a luxury hotel, accommodating 200 beds offering a unique and exclusive product. The project will involve construction of 17 land villas (duplex), 32 water villas, and a small marina catering for small to medium sized yachts (8-15m yachts). The water villas would be constructed at the lagoon area from the northwest point of the island, while the land villas are to be built on the northern side of the Island. The marina and support facilities would be constructed at the southern side of the island within the shallow lagoon. Environmental Component of the project As the project is set in a coral reef based island the proposed component of the project are very much related to the surrounding environmental components. These include, the terrestrial vegetation, marine environment which includes reef, near-shore lagoon and intertidal beach. Use of field data collected during the field visit to the site in October 2010 and available secondary data on the said environmental components has been used to assess and evaluate potential environmental impacts that are likely to arise from implementation of the proposed project activities especially in the context of the magnitude and duration of the project components. Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Possible impacts arising from the resort development and operation works are categorized into reversible and permanent (irreversible) impacts. The impacts identified are also described according to their location, extent (magnitude) and characteristics. Reversible and irreversible impacts are further categorized into intensity of impacts (negligible, minor, moderate and major) for identifying best possible remedial (mitigation measures) actions to be taken. In any development project major direct impacts to the environment (either short term or long term) occur mainly during the construction phase. Potential direct or indirect impacts on the environment (on land and reef system) from the proposed works are limited to number of causes. These include: Construction debris blown away by wind or spillage during transportation on to the reef or lagoon (initially material will be unloaded using barge, but after completion of harbor dredging works, the harbor will be used for material unloading), Potential changes to the long shore transport and littoral regime of the island due to the coastal developments (beach creation, backfilling works and harbor deepening works), Possible impacts from excessive sedimentation on the reef by beach creation works and harbor deepening works, as these may alter the local hydrodynamic regime within the system resulting in siltation and increased water turbidity, Direct loss of habitat and disturbance to the lagoon bottom and reef flat area by harbor dredging and piling works at the water bungalow construction areas, Direct loss of habitat and disturbance to the lagoon bottom by footing clearance for piling works for the over water structures, Loss of vegetation due to clearing vegetation for creating space for new constructions, Groundwater contamination by digging trenches or dewatering for placing foundations of building and possible spillage of fuel or other hazardous chemicals. Operation of heavy machinery and construction related equipment will contribute to noise pollution. Noise pollution during the construction works will be mainly due to the operation of excavators, trucks and concrete machines. Air pollution due to the project will be mainly due to operation of heavy machinery like excavators, trucks, concrete machines, power generator, burning of waste and boat operations. Mitigation measures Mitigation measures are discussed for the construction and operational stages of the project. During the construction stage it is important to take measures to minimize generation of construction waste; impacts due to disposal of construction waste may cause significant degradation of terrestrial habitat or groundwater quality or reef health. Method of construction also has to be taken in to account for minimized impact. A construction method that has the least impact on terrestrial or marine environment has to be utilized. Waste generated during the construction phase will be sorted and reused as much as possible (construction debris for construction works as filling, timber for form work). All burnable items will be burnt, rest sorted and sent to local disposal site or Thilafushi (disposal at Thilafushi will be costly due to long distance transportation). Project management staff will be appointed for monitoring waste generation and management of the contractors working on the island. All waste generated at end of each working day will collected and sorted and then sent to the waste management building. All burnable waste (timber flakes, saw dust, paper, and packing material) will be incinerated. Reusable items such as gunny bags, saw dust (for making compost) will be reused as much as possible. Food waste generated at the temporary accommodation and kitchen area will be collected in waste collection bins. Separate bins will be placed for collection of metal tins/glass bottles and plastics. All burnable items will be incinerated; glass bottles crushed, metal tins compacted and sent to local disposal site or disposed at deep sea. During construction stage green waste will be generated from the vegetation clearance works. All major vegetation (large mature trees) removed will be replanted elsewhere to the greatest extent possible. Daily cleaning works will also generate green waste; these would be used for making compost at the nursery. Alternatives Considering the alternatives for the project in terms of location, type of economic activity to be carried out has been decided by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Apart from the type of economic activity and location other aspects that can have alternatives are; Construction method of over water structures Location of over water structures Sewage treatment method Feed water intake method, outfall and brine discharge pipes Beach creation and back filling work Harbor basin deepening method Conclusion Assessment of the project components and their associated impacts have been considered in the context of baseline environmental information collected at the project location as part of this EIA report. It has been the general finding that the project components will bring environmental alterations to the project site if the activities are implemented. Several projects of similar nature have been developed over the past several decades as part of the Maldives tourism industry. No serious environmental damage has been reported or documented due to implementation of these projects. With due consideration given to the fragility of the natural environment, this document has discussed and identified mitigation measures for the potential impacts to the natural environment. The economic benefits from the project are likely to beneficial to the national economy at large.Item Environmental impact assessment for development of a slipway at Raa. Vandhoo(2011) Mohamed, MiruzaThis EIA report is prepared in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2007 under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Act No. 4/93). The purpose of this EIA is to fulfill the requirement of the Law and to conduct an assessment of possible impacts on ecological, biophysical and human environment arising from proposed development project of Slipway Development in Vandhoo in Raa Atoll, Maldives. The project is proposed by Mr. Mohamed Ali Fulhu (Naares, ID card number A‐092574, Mobile: +9607784393) a successful businessman from the island of R. Innamaadhoo. The main construction activities of the proposed project involve development of a slipway and its associated infrastructures to accommodate working staff at Vandhoo. These include dredging a small basin and an entrance channel, construction of a small accommodation facility for 15 staff. All these development activities will be carried out at the land and sea area leased to the developer by the Government authorities. The allocated area is on the southeastern side of the island. The construction activities will be completed within six months from the start of the construction phase. The project cost is estimated as Maldivian Rufiyaa 11,383,300/00. The proposed slipway is 300ft long and 200ft wide. The slipway will be attached to the coast of the island and consisted of concrete flooring at the lagoon area which is sloped to facilitate beaching of vessels. A narrow entrance channel of about 18m wide will be dredged to make access to the slipway possible. The main operation of the project will be boat building and repair operations. This will include boats of all types and sizes that are below 140 feet in overall length. Baseline environmental conditions at the project site indicated that the coral cover around the slipway basin area was low (about 2%). The coastal vegetation around the proposed slipway area was mainly kaani, ruh, boashi, hirundhu and dhiggaa, and does not represent any specific preservation value. Need and justification of the project Vandhoo is on the eastern rim of geographic Raa Atoll. The island is uninhabited and remained as an agricultural island for the residents of near by island. There is no safe access to the island. Many people of R. Innamaadhoo and R. Rasmaadhoo would like to use the island as a site for boat building. To date most of the boat building of these two islands is being carried out within these small inhabited islands triggering health and other social problems. It is important to note that a school is also located adjacent to the boatbuilding area of Innamaadhoo causing disturbances. Hence it is very important to relocate the boatbuilding activities to an area away from human settlement. For this purpose no land is available at Innamaadhoo. The Cabinet has also decided to lease a part of land from R. Vandhoo for the development of a slipway on its meeting at 31st August 2010 (Ref 2010‐651 Press Release, The President’s Office). Thus the project is in conformity with the policies and strategies of the government. This project is also vital to reduce the impact of health hazards associated with boat building in Innamaadhoo.Item Initial environmental examination for the construction of an 11 storey residential building at MA. Jambugasdhoshuge Male’ Atoll, Maldives(2010-08-01) CDE ConsultingThis Initial Environment Examination (IEE) is an evaluation of the potential environmental, socio-economic and natural impacts of the proposal for the construction of an 11 storey residential building at Ma. Jambugasdhoshuge, Male’.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 6 storey building construction at Ma. Funamaage, Malé(2018-02) Shareef, AliThis report discusses the findings of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out for the proposed 6 storey building at Ma. Funamaage, Bodufulhah goalhi, Malé. The objective of undertaking the project is to provide a residence to the proponent and family. The proponent also aims to rent out apartments in the building for residential use. The report has looked at the justifications for undertaking the proposed project components. Alternatives to proposed components or activities in terms of, design and environmental considerations were suggested. A mitigation plan and monitoring programme before, during and after the works has also been proposed. It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts, especially during excavation, dewatering and construction work is carried out. The potential environmental and social impacts from the overall project includes water contamination, shortage of groundwater, generation of waste, air pollution, noise pollution, disruption to traffic and interruption to commercial activities around the project location. After a survey and the study undertaken, these negative impacts identified are not severe enough to not allow the project. In light of possible impacts assessed, a comprehensive monitoring component has been suggested to monitor environmental (natural and social) impact during the course of this project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the limited nature of the impact. In addition, the socioeconomic impacts that have been assessed have been identified as mostly positive impacts, not just in short term but also in long term. Therefore, from an environmental and technical point of view and in light of the existing socio-economic developments it appears justifiable to carry out the proposed project.Item Environmental impact assessment for establishment of sewer network at Aa. Ukulhas(2018-01) Wahhab, Mahfooz Abdul; Adam, Ibrahim RashihuThe purpose of this EIA is to critically analyse and assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the establishment of a sewer network in AA.Ukulhas and expose the solutions and preferred alternatives as well as mitigation measures to minimize any negative impacts whilst trying to derive the maximum positive impacts from the project; Existing sewer situation at the aforementioned island are not proper and are subject to cause ground water contamination. In this sewer establishment project, sewer facilities are proposed to be constructed at a location whereby public nuisance could be minimised along with little disturbance to the natural setting of the proposed locations of sewer facility and allied pump stations for the network. All the components of the sewer network will be constructed according to EPA specification complying to both MEE and EPA regulations; Additionally, this study also involved identification of several alternative locations for laying the outfall and selecting the most ideal location based on thorough study of the current patterns, proximity to the public recreational beaches and ease of design effectiveness. The preferred locations were selected based on best met design criteria of EPA and environmental options; The construction works of sewer network presented in this report are not expected to adversely impact the environment if the mitigation measures mentioned in the report are followed. The most important mitigation measures are daily maintenance of machinery, following chemical handling procedures, waste segregation and storage in closed labelled containers until disposal to Thilafushi and most importantly following the EPA guidelines for operation of sewer system; Potential groundwater contamination from damages to sewer network, potential impacts to marine life from discharge of sewerage from the outfall, excavation and dewatering are the most significant environmental impacts associated with the project. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow the proposed mitigation measure, relevant guidelines and regulations and the operation and maintenance manual of the sewer system during the operational phase. Overall, the proposed project is expected to bring in positive outcomes. It is expected that the newly established sewer network will ensure safe sanitation services to islandާ community in addition to greatly reducing further disturbance and contamination of the ground water and surrounding environment; and Monitoring is essential to ensure that environmental thresholds are not exceeded and mitigation measures proposed are working. Ground water and marine water quality monitoring will be done according to the proposed monitoring schedule.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 10 storey building construction at Ma. Maavelavaru, Malé(2018-01) Development Advisory ServicesThis report discusses the findings of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out for the proposed 10 storey building at Ma. Maavelavaru, Kudhirayimaa goalhi, Malé. The objective of undertaking the project is to provide a residence to the proponent and family. The proponent also aims to rent out apartments in the building for residential use. The report has looked at the justifications for undertaking the proposed project components. Alternatives to proposed components or activities in terms of, design and environmental considerations were suggested. A mitigation plan and monitoring programme before, during and after the works has also been proposed. It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts, especially during excavation, dewatering and construction work is carried out. The potential environmental and social impacts from the overall project includes water contamination, shortage of groundwater, generation of waste, air pollution, noise pollution, disruption to traffic and interruption to commercial activities around the project location. After a survey and the study undertaken, these negative impacts identified are not severe enough to not allow the project. In light of possible impacts assessed, a comprehensive monitoring component has been suggested to monitor environmental (natural and social) impact during the course of this project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the limited nature of the impact. In addition, the socioeconomic impacts that have been assessed have been identified as mostly positive impacts, not just in short term but also in long term. Therefore, from an environmental and technical point of view and in light of the existing socio-economic developments it appears justifiable to carry out the proposed project.Item Environmental impact assessment for the transplantation of coconut palms from K. Kaashidhoo to K. Bolifushi(2010-07-01) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental impacts of the proposed project for the transplantation of not more than 800 coconut palms from K. Kaashidhoo to K. Bolifushi. The primary objective of the project is to landscape the newly reclaimed land on Bolifushi Resort, which is being redeveloped and upgraded as a five star resort. This resort is being developed by SPH Ltd, a company with several years of experience in ecotourism development and management. The project has several socio-economic benefits. These include the revenue generated from the early opening of the resort, the direct and indirect employment opportunities and creation of roads as a direct result of the proposed project. It is from the proposed roads and proposed new house plots that the trees would be removed. The economic benefits to the coconut tree owners from the sale of the coconut palms could also be considered as a direct positive impact. Since the trees that would be transplanted have a zero mortality rate, the carbon sequestration from the trees would not be affected except for a short duration in which cutting off of some fronds would lead to a reduction in carbon sequestration, which would be negligible given that the bulk of the tree weight will remain with the tree. In addition, the Proponent would also plant 3000 or more coconut trees in a nursery or through other means. These trees would provide further carbon sequestration benefitting the environment in a special way by absorbing atmospheric carbon and contributing to the national goal of carbon neutrality. This would also help to offset the atmospheric emissions from the use of machinery for the transport and transplanting process, which is a direct negative impact of the proposed project. The holes that would be left after the digging would remain a public nuisance and health problem if they are not backfilled and levelled. Therefore, as an important mitigation measure, the holes would be filled with sand dredged from the existing harbour. This is not expected to have adverse impacts and the backfilling and levelling will further enhance the quality of the roads. The green waste from the project would also be taken to Thilafushi or appropriately dealt with on site. Provisions are also made for supervision and monitoring of environmental impacts to understand the overall benefits and impacts of the project over the long term. The monitoring is proposed to be undertaken for a period of two years. In conclusion, the socio-economic as well as environmental benefits of the project are greater than the negative impacts of deforestation including the impacts on terrestrial fauna from deforestation. In fact, the impact on fauna in the affected areas would be negligible given that the habitats of protected black turtle and important flora such as mangroves in marshy areas would not be affected at all. However, there may be uncertainties and care should be taken at all times during the implementation of the project.