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Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed resort development at Olhahali, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives(2014-07) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt Ltd for the development of Olhahali Island in North Male‟ atoll in to a resort. This project is proposed by Grand Meridian Pvt Ltd. The resort is developed with a total bed capacity of 100. Olhahali is located in the North Male‟ Atoll, on the northern rim of the atoll on its own reef system. The island will be developed into a resort with 40 villas. Olhahali island is located about 75 km from capital Male‟ and lies southwest of Gaafaru island with a distance of 7.4 km. Olhahali island is formed within a coral reef system at the north edge of the North Male‟ atoll. The reef is triangular in shape with the widest area towards the east. There are two distinct deep lagoons formed in the reef system on the west side of the island. Olhahali is a very small island which had been used as a picnic island before the island was closed for redevelopment. As such, the island has existing buildings that was used as restaurant, kitchen, staff quarters and guest rooms. The land area of the island is not adequate to develop a resort island. Hence, it was proposed to extend the island and Ministry of Tourism approved the plan to increase the size of the island by 2.29 hectares under the proposed redevelopment. The island area after the reclamation would be 4.83 hectares. Discussions among the proponent, architects and environmental consultants have led to island extension possibilities thereby reducing the amount of fill material required for the extension. One of the main reasons for doing this was to ensure that there is minimal dredging from island‟s lagoon. These alternative designs are considered to be environmentally and economically favourable. In addition to design alternatives, alternative methods of dredging and filling have been considered so that minimal siltation would take place. The purpose of this is to protect the beautiful house reef from short term damage that may cause irreversible ecological loss. The recommended option considers minimal island extension together to minimise effect on long shore sediment transport and possible eutrophication in certain areas due to island extension. In order to ensure minimal sedimentation, bunds around the reclamation area recommended to be placed around the filling areas. 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 pumping and filling sand for island extension. Similar impact has been identified for the excavation of the inner and outer entrance channels. The second most important environmental impact would be that arising from the construction of water villas, especially the impact on marine environment. For both dredging and water villa construction, the main impact would be that of sedimentation on the nearby reef areas. This impact is considered to be short-term and cumulative, adding to the impacts from snorkelling and dhoni or boat operations. The impact significance is considered to be major (without mitigation) given that the reef flat and slope around the island is quite alive, especially at the proposed development area, more towards the existing island. The impact of the machinery is also considerable given that works would be undertaken in reef flat areas. The socio-economic benefits of the project are quite high and may be considered to outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the island, if adequate measures are taken to protect the environment. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, especially sedimentation control methods. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation, which may cause death of corals. The coral reef being the main tourism asset needs to be protected. In fact, there is a great economic imperative to protect reefs. Hence, the mitigation measures have been selected with that in mind. For this reason, the proponent finds it easier to accept the proposed mitigation measures and have made commitment to undertake the mitigation measures as proposed in the EIA report. The proposed project conforms to environmental and tourism legislation and thrives to achieve its objectives in an environmentally acceptable manner for both reclamation and resort development component. Therefore, it appears justified from a technical, social, economic and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed redevelopment project according to the proposed methodologies including proposed mitigation measures and environmental monitoring programme.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed resort development at Olhahali, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives(2014-05) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt Ltd for the development of Olhahali Island in North Male’ atoll in to a resort. This project is proposed by Grand Meridian Pvt Ltd. The resort is developed with a total bed capacity of 100. Olhahali is located in the North Male’ Atoll, on the northern rim of the atoll on its own reef system. The island will be developed into a resort with 40 villas. Olhahali island is located about 57 km from capital Male’ and lies southwest of Gaafaru island with a distance of 7.4 km. Olhahali island is formed within a coral reef system at the north edge of the North Male’ atoll. The reef is triangular in shape with the widest area towards the east. There are two distinct deep lagoons formed in the reef system on the west side of the island. Olhahali is a very small island and the land area is not adequate to develop a resort island. Hence it was proposed to extend the island and Ministry of Tourism approved the plan to increase the size of the island. Therefore, it has been approved by the Tourism Ministry to extend the island by 2.29 hectares under the proposed redevelopment. The island area after the reclamation would be 4.83 hectares. Discussions among the proponent, architects and environmental consultants have led to island extension possibilities thereby reducing the amount of fill material required for the extension. One of the main reasons for doing this was to ensure that there is minimal dredging from island’s lagoon. These alternative designs are considered to be environmentally and economically favourable. In addition to design alternatives, alternative methods of dredging and filling have been considered so that minimal siltation would take place. The purpose of this is to protect the beautiful house reef from short term damage that may cause irreversible ecological loss. The recommended option considers minimal island extension together to minimise effect on long shore sediment transport and possible eutrophication in certain areas due to island extension. In order to ensure minimal sedimentation, bunds around the reclamation area recommended to be placed around the filling areas. 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 pumping and filling sand for island extension. Similar impact has been identified for the excavation of the inner and outer entrance channels. The second most important environmental impact would be that arising from the construction of water villas, especially the impact on marine environment. For both dredging and water villa construction, the main impact would be that of sedimentation on the nearby reef areas. This impact is considered to be short-term and cumulative, adding to the impacts from snorkelling and dhoni or boat operations. The impact significance is considered to be major (without mitigation) given that the reef flat and slope around island is quite alive, especially at the proposed development area, more towards the existing island. The impact of the machinery is also considerable given that works would be undertaken in reef flat areas. The socio-economic benefits of the project are quite high and may be considered to outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the island, if adequate measures are taken to protect the environment. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, especially sedimentation control methods. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation, which may cause death of corals. The coral reef being the main tourism asset needs to be protected. In fact, there is a great economic imperative to protect reefs. Hence, the mitigation measures have been selected with that in mind. For this reason, the Proponent finds it easier to accept the proposed mitigation measures and have made commitment to undertake the mitigation measures as proposed in the EIA report. The proposed project conforms to environmental and tourism legislation and thrives to achieve its objectives in an environmentally acceptable manner for both reclamation and resort development component. Therefore, it appears justified from a technical, social, economic and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed redevelopment project according to the proposed methodologies including proposed mitigation measures and environmental monitoring programme.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of 24 hectare at Thimarafushi, Thaa Atoll, Maldives(2011-12) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the propose reclamation of 24 hectares in Thimarafushi island, Thaa Atoll. An area of 240,000 square meters or24 hectares will be reclaimed in order to expand the available land space for Thimarafushi, mostly for housing and industrial activities. This EIA report discusses the findings of the reclamation project. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Environment. The biggest challenge facing Thimarafushi is lack of space and overcrowding. Reclamation is a real need for Thimarafushi as the island is saturated and there are no additional land for housing plots nor industrial activities. The presently reclaimed area, although it is quite huge, most of which cannot be used for domestic use as majority of this land will be allocated to develop an airport and its boundaries. The present population of the island is 2817 and there are 350 households. This is 8 people on average per house. The island needs an additional 400 houses as existing houses are over crowded and too many families having to live in the same house is creating social and health issues. Twenty hectares will be reclaimed from area 1 and approximately 50% of this area would be usable domestic purposes due to airport development restrictions. Further development of Thimarafushi can only be achieved through creating additional land. Reclamation is therefore very much a serious requirement for the people as lack of space is causing many problems. Environmental impacts were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from the coral reef damage from dredging and reclamation works. Mitigation measures for the 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 fill 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 and destruction of the lagoon and some areas of the reef, which will cause death or partial death of corals. Coastal protection of the reclaimed area 2 will be undertaken in order to protect the shore. The project is mainly driven by the economic gain to the development of Thimarafushi, mainly through benefits achieved from increased land.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 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.