Environmental impact assessment for the proposed rehabilitation of harbour in Holhudhoo, Noonu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed harbour rehabilitation in Holhudhoo, Noonu Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to provide safe and adequate access to the island. As such the project encompasses maintenance dredging of existing entrance channel and basin, replacement of existing quaywall and breakwater and improvement of existing boat beaching area. The harbour is located on the northern side of the island. This location is appropriate in terms of beach dynamics since beach material hardly moves to this location. It may be possible that only part of the beach on the northwest side moves towards the harbour. As a result the northwest shoreline has been severely eroded and it is the primary location identified for placing the dredge material. Since this area needs protection and also the powerhouse is in this area with possible fuelling stations for dhonis and other vehicles, it is recommended that, as an alternative, to consider moving the boat beaching area to this side as the northeastern end where the beaching area currently exists is a predominantly residential area. Therefore, zoning light industrial activities to the powerhouse area would be sensible. It has also been suggested by the community to expand the harbour towards the west after creating a T-jetty at the western end of the existing harbour. Therefore, the recommended alternative given in the report has taken these landuse zoning and community aspirations into consideration. The proposed concept involves the maintenance dredging of the existing harbour basin and provision of new quaywall and breakwater. However, the concept has not been discussed with the community so far. Therefore, community views that have been incorporated in this EIA report needs to be given consideration in finalising the design. Since, the community has been anxiously waiting for the project for quite some time, it is recommended to allow the proposed project to proceed while further modifications can be finalized in consultation with the relevant stakeholders during the construction phase. Taking this into consideration the environmental impacts have been assessed for the worst case scenario in which the Proponent takes into consideration all demands of the community and provide the final detailed design to the EPA in due course. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using appropriate matrices and the results indicated that the proposed project has net positive impact. Given that the project has several socio-economic benefits although there would be some negative environmental impacts, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed.