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Maldives College of Higher Education
Environmental Impact Assessment construction of Maritime Survival Training Centre at K. Villingili
March 2007
Prepared by
Land & Marine Environmental Resource Group Pvt Ltd 3rd Floor, H. Coleezium, Ameenee Magu, Malé 20-05, MALDIVES Tel: +960 331 5049, Email: [email protected]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................6 B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................8
B.1 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT AND NEED FOR THE EIA ....................................................................................8 B.2 PROCEDURE OF THE EIA ...........................................................................................................................8
C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................................................................11 C.1 PROJECT PROPONENT ..............................................................................................................................11 C.2 THE PROJECT...........................................................................................................................................11 C.3 PROJECT LOCATION.................................................................................................................................12 C.4 NEED FOR THE PROJECT ..........................................................................................................................13 C.5 LOCATION AND EXTENT OF SITE BOUNDARIES ........................................................................................13 C.6 CONSTRUCTION PHASES AND SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................14 C.7 MAJOR INPUTS - CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, METHODS AND PROCESSES..............................................15 C.8 RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT ...................................................................................................18
D. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK.......................................................................................19 D.1 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION ACT OF MALDIVES ...................................................19 D.2 BY LAW, CUTTING DOWN, UPROOTING, DIGGING OUT AND EXPORT OF TREES AND PALMS FROM ONE ISLAND TO ANOTHER......................................................................................................................................19 D.3 THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2002......................................................20 D.4 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) CONVENTION.........................................................21
D.4.1 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978. Amendments made 1998, 2006......................................................................................22 D.4.1.1 Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions.......................................22 D.4.1.2 Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships .......................................26
E. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT.........................................................................................................................28 E.1 GENERAL SETTING - MALDIVES...............................................................................................................28 E.2 GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND GENERAL SETTING OF K. VILLINGILI.......................................................29
E.2.1 Island Setting...................................................................................................................................29 E.2.2 Climatology .....................................................................................................................................30
E.3 BEACH ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................40 E.4 MARINE ENVIRONMENT ..........................................................................................................................42
E.4.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................42 E.4.2 Methodology....................................................................................................................................42 E.4.3 Results and discussion.....................................................................................................................43 E.4.3.1 Reef benthos .................................................................................................................................43 E.4.3.2 Reef fish community .....................................................................................................................47 E.4.3.3 Invertebrates.................................................................................................................................49 E.4.3.4 Protected marine species .............................................................................................................49 E.4.3.5 Sea water quality ..........................................................................................................................50 E.4.3.6 Terrestrial.....................................................................................................................................50
E.5 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................................................51 F. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...............................................................53
F.1 ACTIVITIES CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ....................................................................................53 F.2 IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION............................................................................................................53
F.2.1 Schedule, logistics and loading and unloading construction materials .........................................54 F.2.2 Construction materials and solid waste ..........................................................................................55 F.2.3 Impacts due to construction methods..............................................................................................56 F.2.4 Impact on vegetation .......................................................................................................................57 F.2.5 Impact on groundwater ...................................................................................................................57
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F.2.6 Coastal structures ...........................................................................................................................58 F.2.7 Cumulative impacts .........................................................................................................................58 F.2.8 Social impacts, noise and air pollution...........................................................................................59
F.3 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS...........................................................................................................................60 F.3.1 Social impacts..................................................................................................................................60
F.4 MITIGATION PLAN ...................................................................................................................................61 F.5 UNCERTAINTIES INVOLVED IN IDENTIFYING IMPACTS .............................................................................66
G. ALTERNATIVES ...........................................................................................................................................66 G.1 PROJECT LOCATION .................................................................................................................................66 G.2 DREDGING AND RECLAMATION METHOD ................................................................................................67 G.3 THE NO PROJECT SCENARIO.....................................................................................................................68
H. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ..........................................................................................................................69 I. MONITORING PROGRAM ...........................................................................................................................71 J. REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................................73 K. ANNEXES .....................................................................................................................................................75
K.1 SCOPE OF WORK APPROVED BY MEEW (TOR).......................................................................................75 K.2 SCALED DRAWING SET ............................................................................................................................80 K.3 LANDUSE PLAN........................................................................................................................................91 K.4 PHOTO PLATES ........................................................................................................................................93 K.5 LETTER TO MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND WATER............................................................99
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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Project layout (see Annex 2 for scaled drawings set) ___________________________________ 11 Figure 2 Edge of small finger like reclaimed process (left), cement pavement damaged over the years, this area was used by landing crafts (right) _____________________________________________________ 12 Figure 3 Project site location at K. Villingili _________________________________________________ 12 Figure 4 Project site boundaries, giving direct and indirect impact areas from excavation and dredging works ________________________________________________________________________________ 14 Figure 5 Geographic location of Villingili at north Male’ atoll___________________________________ 30 Figure 6 Wind rose plots for the four seasons in Male region (daily wind data for the years 2002 and 2003 obtained from Department of Meteorology, Maldives)__________________________________________ 32 Figure 7 Tidal recordings at Hulhule_______________________________________________________ 33 Figure 8 Spectral density graph for the tidal records presented in figure 7 _________________________ 34 Figure 9 Graphs showing the significant wave height and wave directions in the southern region of Maldives (source: DHI, 1999) ____________________________________________________________________ 35 Figure 10 Wave height, Hs, exceedence curves for southern region of Maldives (Source DHI, 1999) ____ 35 Figure 11 Global distributions of mean monthly values of the mean wave direction, for the months of January, April, July and October. Values are shown as direction vectors (from Young, 1999). __________ 37 Figure 12 Map showing the types of waves experienced at K. Villingili ____________________________ 38 Figure 13 Current measurements taken using drogues, recording interval at 30s ____________________ 39 Figure 14 Accretion of sand at the northern side of the project area and southern side of waste management area at Villingili (Photo taken during February 2007) _________________________________________ 41 Figure 15 Condition of the small beach strip observed at the northern side of the project area, erosion observed at the northern side, whilst accretion observed at the southern side close to project area (photo taken during February 2007) _____________________________________________________________ 41 Figure 16 Location of survey sites and seawater sampling sites at Villingili reef_____________________ 43 Figure 17 Reef substrate in the vicinity if the proposed development site. 95% confidence interval for each category is shown. n=3 __________________________________________________________________ 44 Figure 18 Generic composition of the live coral community _____________________________________ 45 Figure 19 Porites lobata colony observed at the southern western side of the reef (left), three species of butterfly fish was observed at survey sites, two species of butterfly as seen in this picture, Hemiturichthys zoster and Chaetodon melannotus _________________________________________________________ 46 Figure 20 Effects of shore-based fishing and mis-management of solid waste; dense mesh of monofilament line from high intensity shore based fishing (left) and fish waste disposed to the reef from a nearby semi industrial fish processing household. _______________________________________________________ 47 Figure 21 Reef slope highly degraded with little coral cover (left), Acanthurus leucosternon schooling at the reef edge in the vicinity of the project site (right)______________________________________________ 49 Figure 22 Dhiggaa, Funna and Maggoo observed along the small beach strip at the northern side of the project area___________________________________________________________________________ 51 Figure 23 Waste dumped at the project area, semi industrial work related solid waste ________________ 56
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LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Construction schedule for the Maritime Survival Training Centre __________________________ 15 Table 2 Inputs for the development project- construction and operational phase _____________________ 17 Table 3 Summary of four seasons in Maldives ________________________________________________ 30 Table 4 Table summarizing tide levels at Hulhule Island, Male Atoll. _____________________________ 33 Table 5 Fish census survey at the proposed project area________________________________________ 48 Table 6 Fish diversity and abundance at the study sites_________________________________________ 48 Table 7 Seawater quality parameter at the sampling location in the reef at Villingili. Data analysis was carried out by the National Health Laboratory, Maldives Food and Drug Authority. Report number PHL/RE/WC166 _______________________________________________________________________ 50 Table 8 Type and source of potential solid waste generated during construction stage ________________ 55 Table 9 Potential impacts during construction and operation of the development project and possible mitigation measures identified to minimize the impacts _________________________________________ 62 Table 10 Monitoring plan for the development project at Villingili reef system. ______________________ 71
Issue Issue date Summary A 8th March 2006 First draft submitted to Maldives
College of Higher Education
B 13th March 2006 Revised Draft
C 15th March 2006 Final report
D
E
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A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Maldives College of Higher Education has proposed the development
project outlined below in order to establish a Maritime Survival Training
Centre, especially catering requirements of courses such as personal
survival techniques and proficiency in survival craft and rescue boat
training.
This EIA is concerned with the dredging of a small harbour (40m by 22m)
and land reclamation of area 3700m3. Dredged material excavated from
the harbour basin deepening works will be used as filling material during
reclamation. A sea wall (breakwater) will be constructed at the western
side of the harbour area.
At the time of field surveys and report compilation, the bidding process
was on-going; therefore the consultants are not informed of a specific
time period for the development works. However, according to the
proponent construction works have to be completed within 6 months.
Therefore this timeframe was taken into consideration to describe the
environmental conditions inherent to the project site.
The projected number of workers at peak construction time is expected to
be 30 labourers. Accommodation of labourers could be in rented rooms or
houses at Villingili or Male’. All construction related materials can be
stored in the project site once the reclamation work is completed.
There are two main types of potential impacts arising from the
development of the proposed project site: short term impacts during the
construction phase and impacts from irreversible modifications of the site.
Long term negative impacts due proposed development are few and the
magnitudes of these impacts are difficult to determine due to the time
available to carry out appropriate field assessments. Furthermore, no
information is available of the impacts associated with coastal modification
works that have been already implemented in Villingili as part of various
development projects (at the moment large scale coastal modification is
observed at Villingili, commercial and ferry harbour, reclamation and
seawall at the southern side and coastal protection in the form of a
revetment or retaining wall at the south west corner of the island).
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The proposed site for the project appears to be suitable for the
development, taking into account the environment, construction feasibility
and economic values of the proposed development.
No major impacts are predicted by the proposed development project.
Minor impacts associated with the project are short-term (e.g.
sedimentation) and due to the scale of the proposed activities and the
nature of the habitat that would be impacted, the sedimentation impacts
are considered insignificant. Hydrodynamics and coastal processes
around the island may have already changed as a result of impacts
associated with previous development works which are more significant
and long-term (duration of the project) than the proposed project.
Therefore, predicted coastal impacts associated with this project would be
comparatively minor and insignificant.
No major socio economic impacts were identified as a consequence of the
project since no local people would be relocated. Furthermore, the land
allocated for the project belongs to the state and there were no vegetation
that may be privately owned.
Despite negligible impacts associated with the project, appropriate
monitoring of constructional activities will be part of the development
strategy to further minimise any impacts identified. Furthermore the
proposed monitoring would assist to mitigate any unforeseen impacts that
may occur.
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B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
B.1 Purpose of the report and need for the EIA
This document presents the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) for the construction of a Maritime Survival Training Centre at K. Villingili.
The centre will have a harbour (40m in length, 22m in width) for life boat and
emergency evacuation training. Part of the land allocated for the project has to
be reclaimed. Estimated area of reclamation is 3700m2 (volume of dredged
material required, 2856m3). Development projects are required to carryout
EIA studies under the Environment Protection and Preservation Act of
Maldives. The developer is required to obtain approval of the Ministry of
Environment, Water and Energy prior to the implementation of any
development activities on the island or on the reef system.
Land and Marine Environmental Resource Group Pte Ltd (consultant) have
been contracted by the Maldives College of Higher Education (client), to
prepare the EIA and to provide assistance in other environmental related
activities of the project. This EIA is thus prepared by the consultant is in
accordance with Maldives Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines, and
other relevant regulations and guidelines applicable to the proposed project.
B.2 Procedure of the EIA
All the development projects that have a socioeconomic relevance are required
to submit an environmental impact report which forms the basis for project
approval. As such projects are required to follow a screening process
identifying the environmental impacts associated with the project. As the
regulator, MEEW based on the impacts associated with project makes a
decision on the nature of the report to be submitted. An EIA shall be submitted
for projects with significant impacts whereas an IEE suits for projects without
significant impacts. The screening process required to submit an EIA which
requires an approval of the scope of work for the report in consultation with
MEEW. In accordance to the regulations of Ministry of Environment, Energy
and Water, a letter was send stating to the nature of the project and likely
impacts associated. The study parameters stated in the letter will be used as
the TOR for the EIA as agreed by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and
Water (see Annex 1 for the letter).
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The project proponent revealed the project to the consultant before a site
inspection was carried out to assess the conditions at the site and determine
the potential impacts. Qualitative methods were used to determine the coastal
processes and areas affected: qualitative methods to assess substrate types
and cover on the areas concerned by the works, as well as downstream from
this area. This study was complemented with both land and underwater
photographs of the area in question.
The following tasks were undertaken in carrying out the EIA study:
Task 1. Description of the Proposed Project - Provide a full description of
the overall project using plans, maps and graphic aids at
appropriate scales. This is to include: project locations; general
layout (size, capacity, etc.); land and lagoon areas selected for
development, construction methodology (excavation works, wharf
etc.), site management, operation and maintenance activities;
plans for providing utilities, waste disposal, sewage treatment
and other necessary services; and employment.
Task 2. Description of the Environment - Describe the physical,
ecological, demographic setting of the project. Survey and
present information provides a detail assessment of the existing
conditions of the site. Assemble, evaluate and present baseline
data on the relevant environmental characteristics of the study
area, including the following:
a- Physical environment; reef line; depth measurements;
seawater quality; climate and meteorology and coastal
oceanography.
b- Biological environment: flora and fauna of the terrestrial,
coastal environment, and coral reef ecosystems around the
island.
Task 3. Legislative and Regulatory Considerations - Describe the pertinent
environmental laws, regulations and standards governing harbour
developments, environmental quality, health and safety,
protection of marine and terrestrial flora and fauna, protection of
endangered species, and construction of tourism facilities.
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Task 4. Determination of Potential Impacts – Identify the major issues of
environmental concern and indicate their relative importance to
the design of the project. Distinguish long-term and short-term
impacts, construction and post-construction phase impacts.
Identify the significant impacts and those that are cumulative,
unavoidable or irreversible.
Task 5. Mitigation and Management of Negative Impacts – Recommend
feasible and cost-effective measures to prevent or to reduce the
significant negative impacts to acceptable levels.
Task 6. Development of a Monitoring Plan - Prepare the outline of a plan
for monitoring the impacts of the project and the implementation
of mitigating measures during construction and preconstruction.
Task 7. Determination of Project Alternatives – Examine alternatives to
the project including the no-action option.
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C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
C.1 Project Proponent
Project proponent of the proposed project is Maldives College of Higher
Education. The Maritime Survival Training Centre will be managed by the
Centre for Maritime Studies. This centre is a faculty of Maldives College of
Higher Education.
C.2 The Project
The proposed development project involves reclamation of land (2856 m3),
dredging a small harbour (40m in length and 22m in width) for life boat
evacuation and emergency jumping training (880 m3) and break water of 36m
long and 6.9m wide will be constructed at the western side of the harbour area
to protect the harbour. The Harbour area will be sheet piled. Entrance area will
also be dredged to -4.5MSL. Class room and changing facilities will be built on
the reclaimed land (see Annex 2 for the scaled drawings of the site, harbour
and the buildings).
Figure 1 Project layout (see Annex 2 for scaled drawings set)
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C.3 Project Location
The island of Villingili is located on the southern periphery of K. Atoll, in the
Maldivian Island chain (Figure 5). The project site is located at the western side
of the Villingili south of the commercial harbour (Figure 3). The area was
previously used as a boat yard for repairing works of vessels. Part of the
vessel repair yard will be reclaimed under the proposed project. Furthermore,
currently allocated commercial plots temporarily allocated to fish processors
and other type of processors at cottage level falls within the allocated
boundary. Alternative sites both for boat repair harbour and commercial plots
have been identified by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (see
Annex 3 for the land-use plan of Villingili demarcating the allocated land for
the Maritime Survival Training Centre and alternative site for commercial
plots; section E5).
Figure 2 Edge of small finger like reclaimed process (left), cement pavement damaged over the years, this area was used by landing crafts (right)
Figure 3 Project site location at K. Villingili
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C.4 Need for the Project
The centre of Maritime Studies conducts various types of seamanship
trainings. The faculty for Maritime Studies is mandated with training seafarers
to internationally required qualities and efficiency. These training programs
have to comply with the requirements of IMO conventions on Standard of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). Among the trainings,
personal survival techniques and proficiency in survival craft and rescue boat
training needs a water tank or pool to conduct the training with safety to
trainees.
For the above mentioned trainings, emergency evacuation training consists of
abandoning vessels (jumping off) during a fire related or similar scenario. For
this training a pool constructed inland would be considerably deep, which will
have lots of maintenance problems (e.g. flushing, filtration). The easiest way
would be to have a harbour like enclosure that has a depth of 4-4.5m. Since
the training involves simulation of real event the participants have to jump
from a tower that has similar height as a cargo or similar class vessel.
Also since Maldives has signed the IMO convention, the government focal point
has to provide the trainings for its international and national commercial
seafarers. Shipping is a competitive and high-tech international industry;
therefore it is imperative that Maldives train its seafarers to international
standards to keep pace with other countries.
C.5 Location and extent of site boundaries
The proposed Maritime survival Training Centre will be located at the western
side of the island, south of the commercial harbour close to the now
abandoned vessel repair yard (Figure 2, 3). The area has already been modified
over the years; the proposed site is also part of a reclaimed portion of
Villingili.
Project boundaries are defined by the dominant current flow (tidal currents)
experienced at the area. Strong tidal currents are experienced at channels
near Male’ (Gaadhoo kolu, channel between Male’ and Villingili and Channel
between Villingili and Gulhifalhu). Direct impact area for the proposed project
is the immediate project area, whilst the indirect impact areas are northern
and southern side of the project area (Figure 4).
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Figure 4 Project site boundaries, giving direct and indirect impact areas from excavation and dredging works
C.6 Construction phases and schedule for
implementation
At the time of field surveys and report compilation, the bidding process was
on-going; therefore the consultants are not informed of a specific time period
for the development works. However, according to the proponent construction
works have to be completed within 6 months. Therefore this timeframe was
taken into consideration to describe the environmental conditions inherent to
the project site. Wind, wave and current related impacts were assessed for
both northeast and southwest monsoon to reflect the duration of the
construction phase.
Work schedules of similar dredging and excavation projects were used by the
consultants to draw up a work schedule for the proposed project (harbour
development at various islands in Maldives). According to the project
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proponent they estimate 2-3 months for dredging and reclamation works.
After that the sheet piling and levelling works will be done. After completion of
the dredging and reclamation works, the sea wall protecting the harbour area
will be constructed. After the levelling works is finished construction of davits,
jumping platforms and class room facility will be initiated.
Table 1 Construction schedule for the Maritime Survival Training Centre
No. DescriptionFebruary March April May July August October
1 Bidding 2 Mobilization3 Excavation and dredging works4 Sheet piling, inside and outside5 Construction of sea wall6 Construction of Devits and platforms
7Construction of class room and changing facility
8 Demobilazation
June September
Work schedule for harbour construction2007
C.7 Major inputs - Construction materials, methods
and processes
At the time of this study, the bid hasn’t been awarded to a contractor yet;
therefore method of excavation or dredging is not informed to the consultants.
Therefore projects of similar nature were used to assess suitable methods that
could be used for the proposed project.
Due relatively small dredging and excavation involved in the project, most
economical method would be to use excavators. One excavator will be enough
to do the reclamation and dredging works. 2-3 trucks and bulldozer have to
be used for levelling the ground. Sheet piling can be done either using the
excavator with a hammer or crane with driving equipment. For the
construction of seawall, a crane loaded on to a barge will be used. The rocks
for the seawall construction will be loaded on to the barge for their
deployment.
Since the project location is at an inhabited island, constructing temporary
accommodation isn’t required, but temporary storage shed may have to be
built. Method and location of accommodating construction workforce depends
on the contractor; either in Malé where the workforce can commute daily to
the work site or in Villingili in rented accommodation.
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Major input of the proposed project is reclamation of 3700m2 area of land
(volume 2856m3) and dredging of a harbour 40m in length and 22m in width
to a depth of -4.5m (MSL). The dredged material removed (880 m3) during
harbour basin excavation will be use as filling during reclamation. At present
the entrance and entrance channel of the harbour for the proposed project has
depth of -2.1m (MSL) and is sandy (probably dredged during construction of
the temporary vessel repair yard).
Materials needed for the proposed project can be brought to the site either
using the existing commercial harbour north of the site. Trucks or lorries can
be used to transport the material to the site. The materials can be stored on
the reclaimed land. Rocks for the sea wall can be brought to the site on a
barge. Since the construction of davits, platform and class room facilities will
be initiated after the reclamation and dredging works, the harbour constructed
under the project can also be used for downloading the construction materials.
Since the bid is not awarded to a contractor, the number of labourers to be
stationed at project site has not been brought to the knowledge of the
consultants. Therefore work force used in similar projects is used to estimate
the number of workers used during the peak period of construction. For the
reclamation and dredging works total of 10 workers could be used (including
heavy machine and equipment operators), for the sea wall construction 6
workers and for the rest around 30 workers.
Electricity for the construction site can be met by portable generator sets or
pubic electricity grid of Villingili. In case portable generator sets are used, fuel
has to be stored in barrels on land. No groundwater will be used for the
construction works, since it is not recommended by the environmental
consultants and project consultants. Therefore freshwater will be brought to
the site on tanks (plastic tanks of volume 3000-5000liters). The sewage out
lets from the toilets in the changing room will be connected to the Villingili
sewerage grid. Detail drawings of the harbour, seawall, and class rooms are
given in Annex 2.
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Table 2 Inputs for the development project- construction and operational phase
Input resource(s) Type Method of purchase/obtain
20-30 Construction workers and laboures (at peak)
Local, foreign By bidding and announcement in local newspapers
Construction material
Harbour: Bolts, nuts, angles, sheetpiles, bollards, tires, GI pipes, metal rods paving blocks Sea wall: 3 class rocks (amour rocks, filter stones) Davits, platforms: Cement, rods, GI pipes, nuts, bolts, machine screws, river sand, aggregate, timber, paving rocks, nails Class room and changing facility: electrical cables and wires, DBs and MCBs, PVC pipes, light weight, telephone cable CAT 5, PVC conduits, floor and wall tiles, gypsum boards, calcium silicate boards, zinc coated corrugated metal roof, paint, varnish, lacquer, thinner, timber, nails, bolts, screws etc
Purchase locally (depend on the contractor)
Fresh water Desalinated water, Purchase from MWSC at Villingili
Electricity/Energy Diesel generators (depending on contract) or Villingili electrical grid
Depends on contractor
Electrical appliances/machinery
Energy efficient machinery and lighting; ozone-friendly refrigerators (class room and changing facility)
Local suppliers
Construction Phase
Fire fighting equipment Fire pumps, Fire protection system, Smoke detectors; Carbon dioxide and Foam fire extinguishers.
Import or local supply/ Local companies will be contracted for maintenance of equipment (depends on project proponent)
5-6 staff Local Depends on the Project proponent
Maintenance material Timber, wooden shingles for roof, electrical cables, electrical appliances, paint
Depends on Project proponent (maintenance work awarded by bidding)
Fresh water Desalinated water for 8 toilets Villingili water grid (MWSC)
Electricity/Energy For class room, changing facility and harbour
Villingili electrical grid
Operational phase
Telecommunications PABX system, fax machines, e-mail and internet facilities
Local suppliers (depends on project proponent)
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C.8 Risks associated with the project
Major risks associated with the project are damage to the marine environment
due to sedimentation by excavation and construction works. Chronic impacts
such as this are cumulative and long term. Coastal modification involved by
this proposed project may have some impacts on the littoral movement of the
island. At present significant coastal modifications have already been carried
out at K. Villingili, therefore hydrodynamic and littoral impacts by this project
is likely to be significantly less compared to the large scale modifications made
at the northern side and southern side (e.g. commercial harbour, Ferry
harbour, reclamation and seawall at southern side). Since the site is located in
between two man made features, the commercial harbour at northern side and
revetment wall and breakwaters at the southern side, the site is effectively
between two terminal groynes trapping the sediment in between creating a
small beach. Therefore impacts on sediment movement by the proposed
coastal modification are likely to be minor, if any.
Damage to live coral is inevitable in development projects such as these.
Major impacts are likely from sedimentation and smothering of live coral and
other benthic organisms (close to the harbour basin and indirect impact areas,
southern and northern side of the project area).
In terms of social impacts, noise pollution at the excavation and construction
site will be an issue. But considering this, at present a number of construction
works are underway at Villingili. Heavy vehicles operating in the area may
cause public safety issues. To counter this, the project area has to be closed
by a fence.
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D. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK
This section outlines the relevant international convections and environmental
legislation pertaining to the development under study for the construction of
Maritime Survival Training Centre at K. Villingili.
D.1 Environment Protection and Preservation Act of
Maldives
The Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law no:
4/93) is concerned with the natural environment and its resources as a
national heritage that need to be protected and preserved for future
generation, taking in consideration land, water resource, flora, fauna,
beaches, reefs, lagoons and all the natural resources.
Major components of this law include environmental impact assessments prior
to developmental projects that are likely to have significant impact to the
environment. It also refers to specific procedure that should be followed with
regard to waste disposal, oil and poisonous substances. Furthermore,
hazardous, toxic and nuclear waste cannot be disposed in territorial water of
Maldives and any trans-boundary movement of such material shall obtain
prior permission if it is shipped through Maldives.
Under Article 5 (a) of this law, an Environmental Impact Assessment has to
be submitted by the developer of a project which may have potential impacts
on the environment, to the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water
(MEEW) for approval before commencement of project. The development of
all new resorts is outlined as such a project in the MEEW guidelines.
D.2 By Law, Cutting down, uprooting, digging out
and export of trees and palms from one island to
another
In pursuant to law number 4/93 (Environment Protection and Preservation
Act of Maldives 1993), the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water has
made a by law with the purpose of educating developers about the
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importance of trees including best management practices for maintaining
trees and provide standards fro preservation of trees in the Maldives and set
down rules and regulations to be adhered to prior to commencing felling,
uprooting, digging out and exporting of trees and palms from one island to
another in Maldives.
The by law states that the cutting down, uprooting, digging out and export of
trees and palms from one island to another can only be done if it is absolutely
necessary and there is no other alternative.
It further states that for every tree or palm removed in the Maldives two
more should be planted and grown in the island.
The by law prohibits the removal of the following tree types;
• The coastal vegetation growing around the islands extending to about
15 meters into the island are protected by this by law;
• All the trees and palms growing in mangrove and wetlands spreading
to 15 meters of land area is protected under this by law;
• All the trees that are in a Government protected area;
• Trees that are being protected by the Government in order to protect
species of animal/organisms that live in such trees;
• Trees/palms that is abnormal in structure
D.3 The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan 2002
The national Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is, in many ways,
an environmental protection strategy and action plan. It establishes a number
of pertinent guiding principles sets three focussed goals and adopts a number
of wide-ranging policies and targets. This brief review identifies those
elements of the NBSAP which are essentially relevant to the present project.
One guiding principle established by the NBSAP is very relevant to coastal
projects in general, viz. “While socio-economic development is essential, it
cannot be achieved at the cost of the environment. Ecological sustainability
must be a major goal in the national development”. Likewise, the following
policy statements must be borne in mind when designing coastal
development projects:
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• Restrict coastal development projects such as ports only to island that
have been identified in the national/regional development plan.
• Discourage dredging/excavation of small harbour basins for every
inhabited island by encouraging the use of natural harbours (vilu) and
by seeking alternative means, such as jetties to access the islands.
• Retain a shoreline vegetation buffer zone when allocating land for new
housing zones or plots and other physical development activities in the
inhabited islands.
• Prohibit the use of coral for building coastal protection such as seawalls
and promote use of alternative materials
D.4 International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Convention
Maldives joined International Maritime Organization of United Nations in
1967. IMO convention on Standards of Training, Certificates and
Watchkeeping of Seafarers was developed in 1978. The IMO convention
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers
entered in to full was on 1st February 1997 with the 1995 amendments
which completely revised the convention. The 1978 STCW Convention was
the first to establish basic requirements on training, certification and
watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level. Previously the
standards of training, certifications, and watchkeeping of officers and
rating were established by individual governments, usually without
reference to practices in other countries. As a result standards and
procedures varied, even though shipping is the most international of all
industries.
The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training,
certification and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to
meet or exceed.
The Convention did not deal with manning levels: IMO provisions in this
area are covered by a regulation in Chapter V of the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, whose
requirements are backed up by resolution A.890(21) Principles of safe
manning, adopted by the IMO Assembly in 1999, as amended by
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Resolution A.955(23) Amendments to the Principles of Safe Manning
(Resolution-A.890(21)).
The Articles of the convention include requirements relating to issues
surrounding certification and port state control.
One especially important feature of the Convention is that it applies to
ships of non-party States when visiting ports of States which are Parties
to the Convention. Article X requires Parties to apply the control measures
to ships of all flags to the extent necessary to ensure that no more
favourable treatment is given to ships entitled to fly the flag of a State
which is not a Party than is given to ships entitled to fly the flag of a State
that is a Party.
While Article VI requires flag States to ensure that seafarers hold
certificates, Article X provides an enforcement mechanism by allowing Port
States to verify that seafarers serving on board hold any required
certificates, and to detain a ship when certain officers are not properly
certificated. The port control aspects of STCW are discussed in more detail
in section 4 of this handbook, under the heading "Regulation I/4 - Control
Procedures."
D.4.1 International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978.
Amendments made 1998, 2006
D.4.1.1 Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival
functions
Regulation VI/l Familiarization and basic safety training and instruction for all seafarers: The requirements in this regulation are divided into two
categories. The details are specified in section A-VI/l of the STCW Code,
and the required training or instruction must be provided before the
seafarer concerned is assigned any shipboard duties.
All seafarers (i.e., persons who are working on the ship and are not
classified as passengers) must receive either (i) approved training in
personal survival techniques, based on table VI/l-l; or (ii) sufficient
information and instruction to be able to take steps in an emergency to
respond quickly, properly and safely. A checklist of these skills is set out
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in Section A-VI/l of the STCW Code. All seafarers who are working on the
ship as part of the complement involved in manning, watchkeeping,
emergency response training or instruction in four areas: personal
survival; fire prevention and fire-fighting; elementary first-aid; and
personal safety and social responsibilities. The standards of competence
for these areas are set out in four-column tables in Section AVI/1 of the
STCW Code. Seafarers subject to this training requirement must provide
evidence of achieving or maintaining the standard of competence within
the previous five years of being assigned shipboard duties.
Except in respect of seafarers on passenger ships of over 500 gross tons
on international voyages, and tankers, specific training requirements may
be modified to suit a ship’s size and the length or character of its voyage.
Regu1ation VI/2 - Proficiency in survival craft rescue boats and fast rescue boats: Under this regulation, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in
survival craft and rescue boats must (a) meet a minimum age
requirement, (b) have approved seagoing service or a combination of
approved training and seagoing service; and (c) meet the relevant
standard of competence set out in Section AVI/2 of the STCW Code. A
four-column table is provided in that section of the code. (This section of
the code is referred to in the standard of competence in Chapters II and
III, under the function of controlling the operation of the ship and care for
persons on board at the operational level.)
In addition to meeting the requirements described in the previous
paragraph, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats
must (a) attend an approved training course; and (b) meet the relevant
standard of competence set out in a four-column table in Section A-VI/2
of the STCW Code.
Regulation VI/3 - Training in advanced fire-fighting: Those responsible for
controlling fire-fighting operations on seagoing ships must (a) complete
advanced training in techniques for fire-fighting, with an emphasis on
organization, tactics and command, and (b) meet the standard of
competence set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/3 of the
STCW Code. Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a
certificate (as it is for certain operational level certificates under Chapter
II and III), the seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence
of having attended the training.
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Seafarers subject to this training requirement must provide evidence of
achieving or maintaining the standard of competence within the previous
five years of being certificated.
Regulation VI/4 - Requirements relating to medical first-aid and medical care: Those responsible for "providing" medical first-aid on seagoing ships must
meet the standard of competence in medical first aid as set out in the
four-column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code. This standard,
which is higher than elementary first aid, must be met by officers at the
operational level under Chapters II and III. The master must be able to
organize and manage the provision of medical care on board under Table
A-II/2.
Those designated to take charge of medical care on seagoing ships must
meet the standard of competence in medical care as set out in the four-
column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code.
Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a certificate
(as it is for a management level certificates under regulation 11/2), the
seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence of having
attended the appropriate training.
Except in respect of seafarers on passenger ships of over 500 gross tons
on international voyages, and tankers, specific training requirements may
be modified to suit a ship’s size and the length or character of its voyage.
Regu1ation VI/2 - Proficiency in survival craft rescue boats and fast rescue boats: Under this regulation, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in
survival craft and rescue boats must (a) meet a minimum age
requirement, (b) have approved seagoing service or a combination of
approved training and seagoing service; and (c) meet the relevant
standard of competence set out in Section AVI/2 of the STCW Code. A
four-column table is provided in that section of the code. (This section of
the code is referred to in the standard of competence in Chapters II and
III, under the function of controlling the operation of the ship and care for
persons on board at the operational level.)
In addition to meeting the requirements described in the previous
paragraph, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats
must (a) attend an approved training course; and (b) meet the relevant
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standard of competence set out in a four-column table in Section A-VI/2
of the STCW Code.
Regulation VI/3 - Training in advanced fire-fighting: Those responsible for
controlling fire-fighting operations on seagoing ships must (a) complete
advanced training in techniques for fire-fighting, with an emphasis on
organization, tactics and command, and (b) meet the standard of
competence set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/3 of the
STCW Code. Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a
certificate (as it is for certain operational level certificates under Chapter
II and III), the seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence
of having attended the training.
Seafarers subject to this training requirement must provide evidence of
achieving or maintaining the standard of competence within the previous
five years of being certificated.
Regulation VI/4 - Requirements relating to medical first-aid and medical care: Those responsible for "providing" medical first-aid on seagoing ships must
meet the standard of competence in medical first aid as set out in the
four-column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code. This standard,
which is higher than elementary first aid, must be met by officers at the
operational level under Chapters II and III. The master must be able to
organize and manage the provision of medical care on board under Table
A-II/2.
Those designated to take charge of medical care on seagoing ships must
meet the standard of competence in medical care as set out in the four-
column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code.
Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a certificate
(as it is for a management level certificates under regulation 11/2), the
seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence of having
attended the appropriate training.
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D.4.1.2 Special training requirements for personnel on certain
types of ships
Regulation V/1 - Training and qualification of masters, officers
and ratings on tankers: Under this regulation, certificates must be
issued in respect of two levels of training for three types of tankers.
Officers and ratings who are assigned specific duties and responsibilities
related to cargo or cargo equipment on tankers must (a) complete an
approved shore based fire-fighting course (b) receive basic safety training
as required under regulation VI of Chapter VI (discussed in section 9 of
this handbook); and (c) either (i) complete at least three months of
approved seagoing service on tankers in order to acquire knowledge of
safe operational practices; or (ii) complete an approved tanker
familiarization course covering the syllabus given in section A-V/i of the
STCW Code. Masters, chief mates, chief engineer officers, and second
engineer officers, as well as any other person who has immediate
(supervisory) responsibility for loading, discharging and care in transit or
handling of cargo, must, in addition to the requirements identified in the
previous paragraph, have experience on the particular type of tanker on
which they serve (in other words, oil, chemical or liquefied gas tanker),
and complete an approved specialized training program covering the
subjects listed in section A-V/i of the STCW Code for the type of tanker
concerned.
Regulation V 2 - Training and qualification of masters, officers and
ratings and other personnel on ro-ro passenger ships: For purposes
of this regulation, the term ‘ro-ro passenger ship" is defined in regulation
III as meaning a passenger ship with roll on – roll off cargo spaces or
special category spaces as defined in SOLAS, as amended. Regulation V/2
only applies to masters, officers and crew serving on ro-ro passenger
ships engaged on international voyages. However, flag States are
obligated to determine the extent to which the requirements in the
regulation should apply to personnel serving on ro-ro passenger ships
engaged on domestic voyages.
The regulation requires personnel on ro-ro passenger ships to have
specialized training, as outlined in section A-V/2 of the STCW Code, in
areas such as crowd management, operational limitations of the ship,
procedures for opening and closing hull openings, special emergency
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procedures to prevent ingress of water on vehicle decks, loading and
embarkation procedures, and crisis management. Refresher training is
required at least every five years.
Flag States are to ensure that documentary evidence of the completed
training is issued to every person found qualified under the regulation.
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E. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
E.1 General setting - Maldives
The Maldives archipelago consists of a double chain of coral atolls, 80 –
120km wide stretching 860km from latitude 7° 6’ 30” N to 0° 41’ 48” S and
longitude 72° 32’ 30 E to 73° 45’ 54” E (Ministry of Construction and Public
Works, 1999). The double chain of Maldivian atolls lies on the parallel
submarine ridges in the central part of Indian Ocean known as Laccadive-
Chagos ridge. The archipelago comprises 25 atolls (Naseer, 2004) grouped
into 20 administrative units. The atolls are separated by east-west running
deeper channels. The atolls vary in shape from circular and oval to elliptical.
The atolls contain 1190 islands, of which only 198 are inhabited. The total
reef area of Maldives is 4,493.85km2 while the total land area is 227.45km2
(Naseer, 2004). Approximately 80% of Maldivian land area is less than 1m
above mean sea-level.
The characteristics of reefs and coral islands of the Maldives vary
considerably from north to south. The atolls to the north are broad banks
discontinuously fringed by reefs with small coral islands and with numerous
patch reefs and faros (the word faros is derived from the Maldivian word
“faru”) in the lagoon. To the south the depth of atoll lagoon increases, faros
and patch reefs are rare in the lagoon, the continuity of the atoll rim is
greater and a large proportion of the perimeter of the atolls is occupied by
islands (Woodroffe, 1992). The islands have shallow reef flats on their
seaward side, some with shingle ramparts at the seaward limit of the reef
flat. The islands and the shingle ramparts owe their origin to the deposition of
shingle or coral debris during storms. A number of islands can be found on a
single reef. These islands may be separated by shallow passages that run
across the reef flat. The width of some of these passages could be less 100m
while some passages are over few hundred meters wide.
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E.2 Geographic Location and General Setting of K.
Villingili
E.2.1 Island Setting
The island of Villingili lie at coordinates 73°29.1’E and 4°10.4’ N which lies on
the southern periphery of North Male Atoll (Figure 5). To the west at about
1km from Villingili is Gulhifalhu, which is a round shaped faro and to the east
of Villingili is the island of Male. The typical depth within North and South
Male Atolls is about 45 – 50m. Vaadhoo Kandu to the south of Villingili that
separates North and South Male Atoll is a relatively deep channel. This
channel has an average depth of about 400m and a width of about 10Km.
This channel is well known to be a rough channel during the southwest
monsoon.
The reef system accommodating the island of Villingili has an area of
approximately 0.563 km2. The reef flat on the southern and eastern sides of
the island is shallower than the northern side reef flat. The southern side reef
flat is typical of an ocean ward reef flat of the islands of Maldives. The near-
shore environments of Villingili are composed of coralline and other bioclastic
skeletal material derived from the reef. The sediments in this environment
are predominantly coral fragments, calcareous algae (Halimeda) and
foraminiferans. Coral predominates in coarser fraction while the sandy
fraction is mainly Halimeda and foraminifera. The major forces, which
produce sediment on the reef, are storm waves and waves driven by
monsoon winds. Tidal and wave driven currents play a significant role in the
transport of sediment.
A large area of the islands limited reef flat area has been modified to cater for
the needs of the population on the island. As such almost the entire reef flat
area on the northern side of the island has been dredged to create small
harbours (ferry and small commercial harbour). A large area of the reef flat
on the southern side of the island has also been reclaimed in association with
the development of the harbour in 2003. The extent of the reclamation
reaches almost up to the reef edge. The ocean-ward extent of this reclaimed
land is protected with a rubble mound revetment.
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Figure 5 Geographic location of Villingili at north Male’ atoll
E.2.2 Climatology
The local Maldivians divide the climate of the Maldives into four monsoon
periods that are characterised by very different wind climate, rain fall. These
four seasons are (Table 3) the NE monsoon (Iruvai moosun), Transitonal
period from NE monsoon to SW monsoon (Hulhangu halha), SW monsoon
(Hulhangu moosun) and Transtional period from SW monsoon to NE monsoon
(Iruvai halha).
Table 3 Summary of four seasons in Maldives
Season Month
December
January
NE-Monsoon
(Iruvai moosun) February
March Transition Period 1
(Hulhangu halha) April
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May
June
July
August
SW-Monsoon
(Hulhangu moosun
September
October Transition Period 2
(Iruvai halha) November
Generally the SW monsoon generates westerly winds and the seas are rough
and the period is wetter than the NE monsoon. The NE monsoon in the
Maldives archipelago is marked by north-northeast winds (Woodroffe, 1992)
which are generally lighter and the period is dryer. Storms and gales are
infrequent in this part of the globe and cyclones do not reach as far south as
the Maldives archipelago (Ministry of Construction and Public Works, 1999).
For detail analysis of wind patterns for the four seasons daily wind data for
the years 2002 and 2003 for Male have been studied. The summary of these
analysis indicate the winds in the central regions of Maldives is predominantly
westerly and north easterly (Figure 6). The analysis also indicates that there
is almost no wind from the quadrant between East and South. Analysis of the
wind data for the four seasons (Figure 6) indicate that the during NE monsoon
the wind is predominantly from ENE with wind speeds reaching as high as15
– 20 knots for 8% of this period (3 months). For up to 41% of the time the
wind speed reaches 10 – 15 knots. During Hulhangu halha (2 months) wind
direction varies between SW – E. The predominant wind direction during this
period remains between ENE and E. The maximum wind speed reached
during this period is 14knots. For up to 11% of this period the wind speed
reaches over 10knots. For 43% of the time the wind speed is between 5 and
10knots. During SW monsoon (5 months) the wind direction is distinctly from
W and WNW. Up to 8% of this period the wind speed reaches between 15
and 20knots. For 28% of the time the wind speed reaches between 10 and
15knots. For 51% of the time the wind speed is between 5 and 10knots.
During the transitional period from SW monsoon to NE monsoon (2 months)
the predominant wind direction remains westerly. For up to 26% of the time
wind speed reaches between 15 and 20knots, 22% of the time the wind
speed is between 10 and 15knots, 48% of the time the wind speed reaches
between 5 and 10knots. These results have been confirmed by Kench and
Brander, 2005 to be consistent with the mean long term trend in the wind
climate in the central region of the Maldives.
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All seasons
NE monsoon
SW monsoon Iruvai Halha (T2)
Hulhangu Halha (T1)
Figure 6 Wind rose plots for the four seasons in Male region (daily wind data for the years 2002 and 2003 obtained from Department of Meteorology, Maldives)
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E.2.2.1 Tide
Tides experienced in the Maldives are mixed semi-diurnal and diurnal with a
strong diurnal inequality. A tide station at Male International Airport has
continuous records of tide for over the past 30 years. The maximum tidal
range recorded at this tide station is 1.20m. The highest astronomical tide
level is +0.64m (MSL) and the lowest astronomical tide level is -0.56m (MSL)
(Table 4). Due to close proximity of the permanent tide station at Male
International Airport (Hulhule) it was assumed that the tidal signal at Hulhule
will be the same as that at Villingili. Therefore the tidal datum for Hulhule
applied at Villingili.
Table 4 Table summarizing tide levels at Hulhule Island, Male Atoll.
Tide level
Water level referred to Mean Sea Lev
(MSL) (m)
Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) +0.64
Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) +0.34
Mean Lower High Water (MLHW) +0.14
Mean Sea Level (MSL) 0.0
Mean Higher Low Water (MHLW) -0.16
Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) -0.36
Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) -0.56
Figure 7 Tidal recordings at Hulhule
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Figure 8 Spectral density graph for the tidal records presented in figure 7
E.2.2.2 Waves
Information on the swells around Maldives is limited, but there have been a
few studies carried out around Male and Fuahmulah (southern region of
Maldives). Wave data for Male that were recorded for the period between
June 1988 and January 1990 revealed that the maximum significant wave
height (Hs) recorded for the month of June 1989 was 1.23m with a mean
period (Tm) of 7.53s. For the month of July 1989 maximum recorded Hs was
1.51m and the corresponding Tm was 7.74s. In June and July 1989 mean
wave periods were 5.0 – 9.0s and the peak wave periods within 8.0 – 13.0s.
Wave data for the period between September 1988 and July 1989 shows a
probability of exceedance of Hs = 1.0 m was approximately 0.1 and of Hs =
1.5 m was approximately 0.0015 based on the wave data of period
September 1988 to July 1989.
JICA, (1992) reported that the wave climate in Male region is generally higher
in the months of June, July and August with a predominant wave direction of
S (180o). During October-December the waves have a shorter period with
wave directions varying from S and W (180o -270o) (Figure 9).
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Figure 9 Graphs showing the significant wave height and wave directions in the southern region of Maldives (source: DHI, 1999)
According to DHI, (1999) the significant wave height (Hs) in the southern
regions of Maldives exceeds 3m in about 0.1percent of the time (Figure 10).
Figure 5 also shows that the highest waves are from W and S. From NW, N,
NE and E, significant wave height exceeds 1m in less than about one per cent
of the time.
Figure 10 Wave height, Hs, exceedence curves for southern region of Maldives (Source DHI, 1999)
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Deepwater wave information for the region obtained from global wave climate
data indicates that the dominant swell approaches Maldivian archipelago from
southerly quarters (Young 1999) (Figure 10). On a seasonal basis, swell is
from the south-southwest from March to October with a peak significant wave
height (Hs) of 1.8 m in July, and from the southeast from November to
February with a minimum mean Hs of 0.75 m in March. During the field visit, monsoonal wind generated waves were experienced at
the western side of the island. Wind direction during field surveys was north
eastern direction. Since the commercial harbour is located at the northern
side, the project area is considerably sheltered. Since the weather was calm
during the field visit, wave action at Vaadhoo channel was low.
During the south west monsoon, wind direct will be from south west to west.
The presence of large ring reef, Gulhi falhu protects the western side of
Villingili. But during rough weather swell induced waves break off at the south
western corner of Villingili reef. During the south west monsoon the project
site will be sheltered. Diffracted waves hitting the southern corner of Villingili
channel may create circular currents at the southern side of the Villingili
channel (see figure 12 for general wave direction for K. Villingili).
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Figure 11 Global distributions of mean monthly values of the mean wave direction, for the months of January, April, July and October. Values are shown as direction vectors (from Young, 1999).
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Figure 12 Map showing the types of waves experienced at K. Villingili
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Figure 13 Current measurements taken using drogues, recording interval at 30s
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Current measurements at the western side and southern side of the island,
using a drogue that was tracked with a DGPS system provided limited
information on the current pattern at the project location (figure 13). These
data indicated that the current at the project location is driven by the wind
generated waves and tidal currents flowing through the Villingili channel and
Vaadhoo channel. At the time of drogue tracking exercise the tidal current
was flowing out of the atoll lagoon. This is recorded by the tracks, during a
mid tide, as a slow mowing current at a maximum speed of 0.17m/s. But at
the central area of the channel, currents created by waves at the Vaadhoo
channel breaking at the south eastern corner of Gulhi falhu, creates a wirl
pool current (area where both currents meet).
Current measurements taken at the Vaadhoo channel close to the Villingili
channel entrance recorded currents speed at a maximum 0.57m/s. Waves
converging to shallow reef slope area creates a current at slow speed of
0.29m/s. This current then moves into the channel, where it meets the
current generated by the wind waves and tide flux.
E.3 Beach Environment
Significant alterations and modifications have been made to the Villingili
shoreline over the past several years. Among the modifications, the ferry
terminal at the north eastern side of the island, Commercial harbour at
northern western side of the island, reclamation and seawall at southern side
have significantly impacted the beach environment of Villingili. A somewhat
modified stretch of beach (partly replenished beach suing sediments from a
previous reclamation project) in the proximity of the project is at the northern
south of the commercial harbour. This beach is relatively stable in the area
because; the commercial harbour wall and vessel repair yard acts as two
terminal groynes trapping the sediments with little change to the shoreline
due to alternating monsoons. During the north east monsoon the beach
accumulates at the vessel harbour/boat repair area. During south west
monsoon the beach accumulates at the commercial harbour area (figure 14,
15). At the time this survey (north east monsoon) the beach is accumulated
at vessel harbour/boat repair end.
The sediment movement at the southern side of Villingili is also obstructed
trapped in between two man-made coastal structures. The revetment wall of
waste management area and the coastal protection constructed at the south
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eastern side (granite rock composed break water). During north east
monsoon sediment accumulates at the waste management site area, whilst
during the south west monsoon this sand is transported to the reclaimed bay
like area at the southern side (see annex 3 to identify various locations).
At present a natural beach is formed on the eastern side of the island in
between the projection of the shoreline extending east and the expanded
ferry harbour somewhat creating a bay. The beach here is likely to alternate
to in response to monsoonal winds and near-shore currents. In short, due to
the coastal modifications that exist around the island with several terminal
groynes there is very little room for beach sediments to move around the
island and the extent of beach movement is determined by these coastal
structures.
Figure 14 Accretion of sand at the northern side of the project area and southern side of waste management area at Villingili (Photo taken during February 2007)
Figure 15 Condition of the small beach strip observed at the northern side of the project area, erosion observed at the northern side, whilst accretion observed at the southern side close to project area (photo taken during February 2007)
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E.4 Marine Environment
E.4.1 Introduction
This EIA report presents the environmental impacts associated with the
construction of Maritime Survival Training Centre at K. Villingili (western side
of the island). Impacts associated with such projects maybe multiple and
cumulative, and in some cases can lead to significant damages to the
environment. Purpose of this survey is to describe the current status of the
environment and also to establish a baseline for monitoring possible impacts
related to the project on major marine habitats.
E.4.2 Methodology
In order to assess the status of the marine environment in the vicinity of the
proposed project location was surveyed. Documenting the status of the reef
benthic community prior to start of construction works of the project was
considered as a major component of the marine environment that could be
used to monitor impacts to the marine environment especially due to the
project construction and operation activities.
The reef benthic community in the vicinity of the project site were studied
using standard marine survey methodologies. These include photographic
quadrat survey method for the assessment of reef benthic community and the
visual census methodology for the assessment of the fish community. One
square meter frame was used along a fixed transect line in the vicinity of the
proposed development area, photographs taken every meter along a 20 meter
transect line. Same transect line was used as the basis for the fish survey to
assess the abundance and diversity of reef fish at the time of the survey. The
locations of the reef surveys are given in Figure 16. These survey methods are
widely practiced in coral reef ecological surveys in many coral reef areas of the
world and the methodology is described in survey manual for tropical marine
studies (English et al., 1997).
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Figure 16 Location of survey sites and seawater sampling sites at Villingili reef
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E.4.3 Results and discussion
E.4.3.1 Reef benthos
The reef comprising Villingli is an atoll rim ring reef on the south-western end
of North Male atoll (figure 5). This reef is separated from the other reefs by
two channels on its west and east. On the east is the Villingili channel between
Male and Villingili and on the west is Gulheefalhu (ring reef) separated by a
narrow channel. Reef morphology here is characteristic of typical atoll out side
reefs with poorly developed spur and groove formation at wave break zone.
On the north side the reef is characterized by a typical atoll inner reef. With
two channels on either side of the reef, the reef complex of Villingili is
surrounded by a diversity of habitats.
Villingili has a history of various types of developments. Prior to 1970s the
island was used as a jail, subsequently developed as a tourist resort until early
1980s until it was decided to develop to meet the housing demand for Male’.
As such, the existing urbanization started in 1980s and slowly became a dense
population centre next to Male’. Along this development include the
requirement for various infrastructures, which include expansion of the old
harbour, waste disposal and collection centre. The land required for this
infrastructure development was reclaimed by material dredged from the
shallow lagoon. As such the land reclaimed and developed on the shallow reef
flat added to the landmass and the reclamation extended to the reef edge
from north and west side of the island exhausting the extend of reclamation.
Because of this reclamation the outer reef flat and reef slope has been
considerably modified.
This ecological study is an attempt to describe the existing marine
environmental condition at the proposed project site. It has been recognized
that the proposed project implementation would have little impact on
ecological functioning of the reef. It is evident that significant environmental
impact has already resulted through various coastal development activities
over the past several decades. These include Villingili ferry terminal, Villingili
harbour, reclamation works on the southern side of Villingili and reclamation
works associated with waste disposal site of Villingili on the western shoreline.
These activities have directly resulted in substantial change not only to the
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coastal hydrodynamics but also adjoining coastal habitats almost exclusively to
the coral reefs. It is also evident that some modification has been resulted to
the reef ecosystem in the vicinity.
Live coral cover was relatively low for all surveyed sites (figure 17). Coral cover
ranged from very low 5% to 8% between the sites surveyed at the proposed
reclamation area and the vicinity around 2 to 3 meter depth. Over 40% of the
reef substrate consisted of coral rock, rubble and sand. Turf algae covered
approximately 40% of the reef substrate covering the dead corals and reef
pavement. These rubbles have originated from dead branching corals that may
have been part of the coral community in these locations.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Live
cor
al
Roc
k
Rub
ble
San
d
Turf
alga
e
Mac
ro a
lgae
Asc
idia
ns
Sof
t cor
al
Cor
allin
e al
gae
Oth
ers
% c
over
Figure 17 Reef substrate in the vicinity if the proposed development site. 95% confidence interval for each category is shown. n=3
Coral species diversity was low for all the surveyed transects and was similar
to both sites and depths surveyed (figure 18). Branching coral species (mainly
Acropora sp) were few but recorded from all transects. Recently settled
corals are not common in the survey area. The presence of adult colonies in
the area indicates that it potentially would be the source of larvae as new coral
settlement. However, in the presence of environmental stress such as
sedimentation, mortality of newly settled corals would be high. Smothering of
newly settled corals and its death would therefore be high on horizontal
surfaces compared to vertical surfaces. Massive types of corals such as poritids
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and several species of Faviids (Favia, Favites, Pavona and Leptoria) are
present among the live coral cover. The dominant coral genera were Porites
(76%) and 5 genera of the family Faviidae accounting to 19%. Pavona was
low in abundance (2%). In general coral of massive growth forms are
dominant corals among the coral community. Pocillopora (mainly Pocillopora
verrrucosa) accounted for less than 2% of the live coral cover (figure 18).
Porites76%
Favia4%
Favites5%
Leptoria6%
Others2%
Pocillopora1%
Platygyra2%
Hydnophora2%
Pavona2%
Figure 18 Generic composition of the live coral community
Previous studies at Villingili reported similar results on reef benthos. Direct
comparison of the can be made on live coral cover reported at the same site
as part of an environmental evaluation for a reclamation project by Ministry of
Housing and Urban Development (Environmental Evaluation for the Proposed
Reclamation and Coastal Protection Works at Villingili, Male atoll, 2006). Live
coral cover reported from this site ranged from 2 to 8% with an average cover
of 5% from 4 transects. This is in agreement with the coral cover estimated
from this study.
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Figure 19 Porites lobata colony observed at the southern western side of the reef (left), three species of butterfly fish was observed at survey sites, two species of butterfly as seen in this picture, Hemiturichthys zoster and Chaetodon melannotus
Similarly, a large-scale survey around the reef system of Villingili conducted in
1998 as part of ecological assessment of Villingili harbour development
project. Live coral cover for the outer reef stations reported from this study
varied from 12-27%. Coral cover in the atoll channel (close to this project
site) was reported higher (20%) in the reef slope compared to the
corresponding reef flat stations. Live coral cover then (1998 study) at
approximately same location of the present study reported approximately 7-
15%. Comparable figures to reef health to the previous estimations were also
reported in 1988 in Villingili Development Plan, a report prepared by United
Nations Centre for Human Settlement in 1988 (UNCHS/project MDV 88/006).
Based on this information and the results of the present study it can be
concluded that the reef environment around Villingili has experienced some
inevitable damage to the reef as result of the reclamation and show a declining
trend in coral cover over the past few decades. Large part of reef flat of
Villingili has been reclaimed very close to the reef edge for various coastal
development projects consequently leading to the current status of the reef. In
addition to these coastal development projects, natural causes may also have
contributed to degradation of the reef. Among these, the most significant
damage to the reefs has been caused by coral bleaching event which severely
affected the reefs in Maldives. Live coral cover in shallow reef areas around
Maldives was reduced from 40-60% (average value for a healthy reef) to less
than 5%. In addition there is significant evidence that the reefs are
compounded with solid waste either direct disposal to the reef or spill over
during the transport of waste to Thilafushi. It also noteworthy to mention that
prior to the current waste management practice the waste generated from
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Villingili was disposed as a landfill in Villingili. This has lead to substantial level
of solid waste pollution on the reef environment. There are no studies on
impact of pollution specific to this site to substantiate whether the current reef
status resulted from waste disposal on to the reef. However it is likely that
harmful leachates from the waste may be a significant factor influencing to the
current deteriorated state of the reef, especially due to the proximity of the
waste disposal site to the shoreline.
Figure 20 Effects of shore-based fishing and mis-management of solid waste; dense mesh of monofilament line from high intensity shore based fishing (left) and fish waste disposed to the reef from a nearby semi industrial fish processing household.
E.4.3.2 Reef fish community
Fish census surveys showed similar trends in terms of abundance of fish at the
two sites surveyed. Between 35 species of fishes belonging to 11 groups of
fish were recorded (Table 5, 6). Schools of damselfishes, surgeon-fishes and
fusilier form school within the study area. The densities of fish grouped as
families are given in (Table 5, 6). Butterfly fishes and parrot-fishes are good in
species diversity despite the low live coral cover. The reef slope is
characterized by relatively high topographic relief which may have been the
reason for the diversity and abundance of fish species (figure 21).
Commercially valuable food fishes such as jacks and snappers are also
recorded here though not in abundance. Fusiliers, a popular baitfish species
are also observed schooling in the vicinity.
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Table 5 Fish census survey at the proposed project area
Name Species Numbers Species Numbers Species Numbers
CHAETODONTIDATE (Butterflyfishes) 5 10 3 12 2 8POMACANTHIDAE (Angelfishes) 2 3 2 14 1 7SCARIDAE (Parrotfishes) 5 8 4 13 2 7LUTJANIDAE (Snappers) 2 8 3 6 2 5CARANGIDAE (Jacks) 1 8 2 7 1 3
LETHRINIDAE (Emperors) 1 4 1 4 1 5POMACENTRIDAE (Damselfishes) 3 schools 1 12 3 34ACANTHURIDAE (Surgeonfishes) 4 schools 2 34 2 35CAESIONIDAE (Fusiliers) 2 schools 2 15 0 schoolsSERRANIDAE (Groupers) 1 4 2 5 1 2LABRIDAE (Wrasses) 4 10 3 9 2 13
Total 30 55 25 131 17 119 Table 6 Fish diversity and abundance at the study sites
Name No. of species
Total Number
Density no./m2
CHAETODONTIDATE (Butterflyfishes) 7 30 0.1POMACANTHIDAE (Angelfishes) 2 24 0.1SCARIDAE (Parrotfishes) 5 28 0.1LUTJANIDAE (Snappers) 2 19 0.1CARANGIDAE (Jacks) 2 18 0.1
LETHRINIDAE (Emperors) 1 13 0.0POMACENTRIDAE (Damselfishes) 3 46+ school >0.5ACANTHURIDAE (Surgeonfishes) 5 69+ school > 0.2CAESIONIDAE (Fusiliers) 2 15+ school > 0.3SERRANIDAE (Groupers) 2 11 0.0LABRIDAE (Wrasses) 4 32 0.1
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Figure 21 Reef slope highly degraded with little coral cover (left), Acanthurus leucosternon schooling at the reef edge in the vicinity of the project site (right)
E.4.3.3 Invertebrates
Very few invertebrates were seen during the field surveys, since most are
cryptic and nocturnal species hiding under rocks and crevices. One species of
sea cucumber were observed at the survey sites, Graeffe’s sea cucumber
(Pearsonothuria graeffei). Two species of giant clams were encountered;
among them the previously commercially exploited species (now protected)
Tridacna maxima was observed. The other species recorded was large giant
clam (Tridacna squamosa); a species usually observed growing in depressions
on large living or dead Porites bommies. Two species (Linckia multifora and
Culcita schedeliana) of sea stars were recorded; these species are mostly
cryptic species and are difficult to observe during field surveys. One Painted
rock lobster (Panulirus versicolor) was observed at the southen side of the
reef.
Two species of soft coral were observed during the field surveys at K. Villingili.
Soft coral species observed at the reef were Finger-lobed leather coral
(Lobophytum sp) and Mushroom leather coral (Sarcophyton sp).
E.4.3.4 Protected marine species
Only one protected marine species were recorded during the field surveys at
K. Villingili. Giant clams (Tridacna squamosa) were observed at survey site S2,
southern side. One Painted rock lobster (Panulirus versicolor) was observed at
the southern side of the reef.
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E.4.3.5 Sea water quality
Seawater sample was collected at western side of the reef and at proposed
harbour basin area (see figure 16) and analysed for their chemical and physical
properties. The main purpose of this exercise is to provide some indication of
the seawater quality in the reef system and also to form a basis for a
reference and benchmark for subsequent monitoring. Changes in the level of
nutrients in the water column have the potential to affect the benthic
assemblages and hence the reef community as whole. Enhanced nutrients
and sediment loads can have variety of effects on the coral reefs. The
analytical results of the parameters tested to assess the water quality are
given in table 7. Salinity at harbour basin area was 31000 mg/l.
Table 7 Seawater quality parameter at the sampling location in the reef at Villingili. Data analysis was carried out by the National Health Laboratory, Maldives Food and Drug Authority. Report number PHL/RE/WC166
Parameters Sample1
Physical appearance Clear
Apparent colour 6 TCU
Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 2.8
Sulphate (mg/l) 2450
Salinity (mg/l) 31000
Nitrate (mg/l) 0
pH 7.9
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l) 32150
Suspended solids (mg/l) 2
Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l) 1456
E.4.3.6 Terrestrial
Only the vicinity of the project area was surveyed, since the project will have
no impacts on vegetation or groundwater. The coastline at western side of
Villingili is modified; part of dredge material removed during the excavation
works of commercial harbour is dumped along side. The natural shoreline
vegetation at present is observed as a small band of trees; behind it is a main
road. Only plants were observed at the area, amongst them, Dhiggaa
(Hibiscus tiliaceus) was dominant. Other plants observed were Maggoo
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(Scaevola taccada), Goats foot creeper (Ipomea pes-caprae), Coconut tree
(Cocos nucifera) and Funna (Calophyllum inophyllum).
Figure 22 Dhiggaa, Funna and Maggoo observed along the small beach strip at the northern side of the project area
E.5 Social Environment
Villigili Island, currently regarded as a 5th ward of Malé was initially developed
to meet the housing requirements of Male as a rapid increase in population in
early 1980s. Population estimates of Villingili in 2006 show over 6800
compared to 4300 in 2000 (National census of Maldives 2006). Over the past
several years of development for housing several basic infrastructures such as
school, health centre and several mosques have been built rapidly filling
available space for development. In addition to these, other large part of the
land has been allocated to Dhiraagu (telecommunication station), Maldives
Defence Force, Maldives Police Services and Centre for Maritime Studies
(CMS). The Centre for Maritime Studies has been in operation for several
years under ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation which is currently under
the umbrella of Maldives College of Higher Education (MCHE).
Large proportion of the population commutes daily to Male for work for both
public and private sector. Since Villingili is considered as 5th ward of Malé, all
the basic infrastructures such as schools, health services, electricity are similar
to the standard in Malé compared to elsewhere in Maldives.
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Regular and efficient ferry services to and from Malé is provided by MTTC. No
motorised public transport is allowed in Villingili except few vehicles with
special permits.
Commercial plots that falls within the proposed development area has been
relocated as part of the new development plan for Villingili by Ministry of
Housing and Urban Development. The existing plots were only temporary to
relocate some of the small scale industries (e.g. fish processing) in Malé due to
consistent complaints by the community as these were within residential plots
in Malé. A new area has already been allocated to accommodate these and
other similar industries (per.com. Athifa Shukoor, Director, MHUD).
Similarly, the boat repair site has already been allocated in Thilafushi by land
use management authority, Malé Municipalty. According to MHUD there is no
formal boat repair site in Villingili and the current use of this site is illegal as
timeline to remove all the vessels to Thilafishi has expired (per.com. Athifa
Shukoor, Director, MHUD).
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F. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
MEASURES Impacts on the environment from various activities of the development works
(constructional impacts) and operation of the harbour (operational impacts)
have been identified through interviews with the Maldives College of Higher
Education, field data collection and surveys and based on past experience in
similar development projects. Possible impacts arising from the construction
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 by intensity of impacts (negligible,
minor, moderate and major) for identifying best possible remedial (mitigation
measures) action to be taken. Below are the impact categories:
• Negligible- the impact has no significant risk to environment either
short term or long term
• Minor- the impact is short term and cause negligible impact on
the environment
• Moderate- Impacts give rise to some concern, may cause long term
environmental problems but are likely short term and
acceptable
• Major- impact is long term, large scale environmental risk
F.1 Activities causing environmental impacts
The potential environmental impacts forecast for the development have been
divided into two categories: impacts during construction and irreversible
modifications. The impacts are then presented together with mitigation
measures identified to minimize them (Table 9).
F.2 Impacts during construction
Any development work involving excavation or dredging works will have major
impacts on reef, lagoon and coastal hydrodynamics. The Impacts of excavation
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can range from smothering of live coral to kill of live coral. Coastal
modification involved in the construction of the harbour can have short to long
term impacts.
F.2.1 Schedule, logistics and loading and unloading construction
materials
Since the contract is not awarded at the moment, method of downloading
materials or logistics is not known to the consultant. Therefore possible
methods were taken into account and impacts relating to are discussed. There
are three possible routes for bringing the construction materials to the site. 1)
via ferry harbour using heavy cargo vessels, 2) commercial harbour and 3)
Maritime Survival Training Centres harbour after the dredging works are
completed. The excavators, trucks and bulldozers can be brought to the site
on barges and unloaded at the jetty like structure (reclaimed) at the project
area.
Increased activities of larger vessels (like heavy cargo dhonis) to supply the
construction materials (cement) will also have direct and indirect impact
through:
• Accidental spillage of construction materials (cement bags, timber,
sheet piles etc)
• Accidental oil spills
• Accidental spillage of amour rocks (this is very unlikely, since these
rocks are very heavy).
• Wake of the propellers might break few fragile corals observed at the
side of the existing harbour.
• Solid waste from the transport vessels (plastic bags, tins, cans)
After the reclamation works has been completed the materials for the sheet
piling and classroom facility can be stored at make shift sheds on the
reclaimed land. Since the class room facility will be located at the southeast
corner of the allocated land, the western side will be empty. So this area can
be used for storing and in the event temporary accommodation is needed, one
or two accommodation sheds (temporary).
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F.2.2 Construction materials and solid waste
Transportation of construction materials such as cement, timber, plywood and
fuel for excavators and trucks to the site has the potential to aesthetically
damage the marine environment especially the lagoon areas due to accidental
spillage. Quite often construction waste finds their way into the marine
environment during the course of their disposal unless necessary measures
are taken to avoid this from happening.
Pollution of the lagoon and reef system can be caused by waterborne and
windblown debris escaping from the construction site or from transportation
vessels such as large cargo dhonis. Waste and residue arising from
construction activities such as oil spills and other waste (used wooden moulds)
may affect the marine environment.
Construction related solid waste impacts are possible at the classroom facility,
davits and platform tower construction stages. During the dredging and
reclamation work stage, solid waste problem will be minor. Since only barges,
and heavy machinery will be used.
Table 8 Type and source of potential solid waste generated during construction stage Type of waste Source
Plastic bottles, empty engine oil bottles,
chemical bottles (concrete mixing)
Generator set operation (if it is used),
from transport vessels (during material
download, if material brought to site on
vessels)
Wooden crates, saw dust, packing
material, card board boxes, metal plates,
gypsum board, shingles, wooden frame
work, re-enforced metal bars, masonry
waste (cement, concrete)
During construction work of class room
facility, davits, towers (shingles and
wooden frame work can be reused)
Hazardous waste, batteries, lube oil,
empty paint/sealing/staining tins and
chemicals (concrete mixing)
During reclamation works, construction
of class room facility, batteries and
engine oil used in machinery, equipment
Amour rocks and filter stones (can be
categorized as solid waste if accidentally
spilled or dumped on the reef area) ,
damaged paving blocks
During break water construction
(accidental spillage from the barge) and
paving work
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Figure 23 Waste dumped at the project area, semi industrial work related solid waste
F.2.3 Impacts due to construction methods
Since using excavators is the most economic method for the dredging and
reclamation work of the projects, impacts due to use of this machinery will be
discussed. Using excavators for the dredging and reclamation works,
sedimentation is inevitable and this is an impact that will be unavoidable. An
option to reduce sedimentation is building a sand bund wall initially, but even
with this option sedimentation is inevitable. Although it is unavoidable the
impacts will be short termed. The strong currents (influenced by tide)
experienced at the channels and reef system will ensure dispersal or removal
of fine sediment from the area. Since live coral cover is very low at the
immediate and indirect impact areas (southern and northern side) impacts due
to sedimentation will be minor. The presence of turf algae at the immediate
project area and indirect impact area may cause trapping of fine sediment,
which would kill the algae. Presence of fine layer of sediment may hinder coral
recruitment.
Major environmental concerns associated with dredging and reclamation works
are direct habitat loss, sedimentation and deterioration in water quality. High
levels of sedimentation and silt from dredging activities is a major source of
reef degradation. The consequences of excessive sedimentation on corals are
well known and include:
- direct physical impacts like smothering of corals and other benthic reef
organisms,
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- reduced light penetration, which has a direct effect on zooxanthellae
photosynthesis and thus the net productivity of corals. It also reduces
coral growth, calcification rates and reproduction,
- dredged silt may form false bottoms, characterised by shifting unstable
sediments,
- silt suspension may increase nutrient release, leading to eutrophic
blooms,
- silt may act as sink or trap for many pollutants, which are absorbed
onto the sediments.
Construction of breakwater near the edge of reef flat will direct physical
impacts of the reef habitat. These impacts include loss of habitat, mortality of
immobile or slow moving organisms (clams, coral) and smothering.
Construction of the breakwater also may have impacts on the hydrodynamics
by acting as an obstruction. Considering possibility of dead spots within the
harbour basin (normally due to inefficient flushing), tidal flux alone will be
enough for sufficient flushing due to the small size of the harbour basin.
F.2.4 Impact on vegetation
Since majority of land required for the project will be reclaimed from the
lagoon, no impacts are envisaged on the vegetation. The area has been
already reclaimed partly, and the shoreline vegetation is approximately 50-
60m away from the project location.
F.2.5 Impact on groundwater
The project site will be on reclaimed land at the shore, no impacts are
envisaged to groundwater. Part of the project area is already in reclaimed
land; therefore original shoreline of the island lies beyond the boundaries of
the project area. Over the years part of the water lens may have developed
over the area (which is very unlikely, because the existing reclaimed area is
protruding in to the lagoon). Groundwater should not be used for any
construction purpose at the project site. Desalinated waster should be used for
all purposes. This will further ensure that there will be no impact on ground
water. Since the class room facility will be a single storey building, dewatering
is not required.
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F.2.6 Coastal structures
The impact of new physical structures such as breakwaters, access channels
and harbours on the hydrodynamic regime, can be quite significant and often
permanent. It can interfere with littoral sediment transport patterns and
seasonal coastal dynamics resulting in a number of impacts. These include:
• Change of near shore hydrodynamic (currents and wave patterns)
• Erosion at the energy relief areas (beach in between proposed Maritime
Survival Training Centres edge and commercial harbour, north western
or south western side) during either monsoon
• Sedimentation or increased turbidity due to movement of sediment
around the structure (harbour walls or protection walls), which in turn
reduces light penetration, which has a direct effect on zooxanthellae
photosynthesis and thus the net productivity of corals
• Alteration of substrate topography, hydrodynamic regime and the
continual re-suspension of dredged sediments can result in increasing
sedimentation and forming dredge silts
• Degradation of seawater quality due to suspended sediments.
F.2.7 Cumulative impacts
The dredged material generated by the dredging works will be used as filling
for the reclamation component of the project. Since the harbour and western
side area facing the channel will be sheet piled, sedimentation impacts will be
short termed. But the southern side facing the vessel repair yard will not be
sheet piled. After completion of the works, the vessel repair yard will be
somewhat enclosed (breakwater at the western side and reclamation edge at
the northern side), thereby restricting the flow of sediment fines out of the
area. This area is likely to be filled at a later stage as required by MHUD.
Therefore some level of sedimentation may happen due to this.
Littoral movement impacts due to the project will be limited to the short beach
stretch at the northern side of project site, in between the proposed
reclamation area and commercial harbour. This sand would only move side to
side during the transition of monsoons (southern side during NE monsoon and
northern side during SW monsoon). Beach impact on other areas of Villingili
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due to this project will be minor or none, since both sides of the proposed
project area is obstructed by coastal modifications (revetment wall,
reclamation and seawall at the southern side and commercial harbour at the
northern side).
Impact on live coral is inevitable, and will be a cumulative impact, due to the
already severe conditions observed at Villinigili reef. Comparatively these
impacts (e.g. sedimentation related impacts), the impact from raw sewage
disposal at the southern side will be more direct and indirect impact on the
reef habitat at Villingili. Since strong currents are experienced at Vaadhoo
channnel, contaminants may reach other areas. However impacts of sewage
on the marine environment are not well documented in the Maldives.
F.2.8 Social impacts, noise and air pollution
Operation of heavy machinery and construction related equipment will
contribute to noise pollution. Noise pollution during the dredging works will be
mainly due to the operation of excavator, cranes, and trucks. Construction
noise at Villingili will be dictated by the predominant wind direction. As the
since the bid isn’t awarded to a contractor, exact timeline of activities is
unknown. There noise pollution during both seasons is discussed. During the
north east monsoon, predominant wind direction is from north or north east,
therefore noise will levels will be lower on the residential area. During the
south west monsoon, predominant wind directs are west or south west;
therefore noise reaching the residential areas. But since the reclamation is
estimated to be finished within 2-3 months of initiation, noise related impacts
will be short termed.
If the construction material is downloaded and brought from the commercial
harbour at the north west of Villingili, public transport and safety issue may
arise. Since this activity will not go on through out the project duration, social
impacts due to transportation of materials will be minor and short termed. In
the event the constructed harbour basin of the proposed project is utilized,
above mentioned social impacts will not be an issue.
Air pollution due to the project will be mainly due to operation of heavy
machinery like excavator, cranes, trucks and boats (tug boats, cargo vessels).
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But in since use of heavy machinery will be limited to a short period of time;
impacts are envisaged to be minor.
F.3 Operational Impacts
Environmental impacts associated from the operational phase of the current
proposed development project are limited to a relatively few activities. These
activities can cause short term to long term impacts on the reef environment.
Below are some of the possible impacts:
- degradation of sea water quality from possible alteration of littoral
sediment transport regime causing turbidity (sediment leaching from
the sides at the vessel repair yard side)
- possible impacts due to accidental spillage of oil (by vessels using the
harbour)
- following construction, the proposed development may influence
existing hydrodynamic patterns affecting water circulation and possibly
leading to “dead spot” in the inner harbour areas where floating litter
and other pollutants could accumulate (since it is small volume of water,
sufficient flushing will be attained during tidal fluxes)
- accidental spillage of waste (vessels using the harbour)
F.3.1 Social impacts
Only positive impacts are envisaged in the operational phase in terms of
increased employment opportunities and capacity building. Having a centre
especially designed to cater training needs for seafarers will increase
employment opportunities in foreign vessels for Maldivians. Since enforcement
of STCW Convention of IMO, all seafarers must have IMO acceptable level of
certifications. No adverse impacts are envisaged during the operation of the
facility.
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F.4 Mitigation Plan
There are a number of actions that can be taken to minimize the identified
impacts. Those that are explored below emerged out of the discussions and
consultations during this EIA and from the past experience of the consultant.
Mitigation measures are selected to reduce or eliminate the severity of any
predicted adverse environmental effects and improve the overall
environmental performance and acceptability of the project.
In considering the mitigation measures it has to be noted that the western
side reef of Villingili (especially North West and West central area) is
significantly impacted due development activities carried out over the years.
The mitigation measures formulated below may not have an observable
change or improvement to the reef environment. Mis-management of near
shore fishery or shore fishery and industrial work (fish processing) have
significantly degraded the reef environment, and major work has to be done to
control or regulate and monitor these development or industrial activities.
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Table 9 Potential impacts during construction and operation of the development project and possible mitigation measures identified to minimize the impacts
Possible Impacts Mitigation measures Location Time frame (Phase)
Impact intensity
Institutional responsibility
Cost (USD)
Littering, accidental disposal and spillage of any construction wastes should be avoided by pre-planning ways of their transportation and disposal. Careful planning of the work activities can also reduce the amount of waste generated.
Reef flat, lagoon and land
During construction
Minor to moderate, short term impact
MCHE, Contractor N/A Littering on marine environment
During construction of protection walls and break waters, all construction related waste collected and disposed at Villingili waste management area or at Thilafushi
Lagoon, reef flat During construction
Minor MCHE, Contractor, N/A, should be included in the contract of work
Alteration to localized hydrodynamic regime
- Negligible due to the project. Major coastal modifications have been part of the existing coastline which is protected with seawalls.
Reef slope, reef flat
During construction
Minor, short to long term, already significant alterations are made at the northern and southern side of the project area.
N/A
Damage to reef by loading and unloading works
Awareness raising of project managers on environmentally friendly practices to minimize negative impacts. Including a clause stating proper handling during
Reef flat and reef slope lagoon
During construction
Minor, short term impact
MCHE, Contractor N/A
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loading or unloading works
Careful planning to reduce time of the unloading process
Lagoon During construction
Minor MCHE, Contractor N/A
Creation of a sand bund to reduce the sedimentation impact (an option, but it is likely that in a small scale project as the one proposed here, impact from creating a sand bund will also have equaling amount of sedimentation)
Reef flat reef slope lagoon
During construction (3 months)
Major, short term impact (since after completion of reclamation, the edges will be sheet piled)
MCHE, Contractor May increase the number of days thereby increasing reclamation cost USD 1500-2000
Sedimentation and siltation on the reef and lagoon due to excavation works
Dredging works of the harbour basin and clearance work at the entrance will be carried out during the low tide)
Reef flat and lagoon areas
During construction phase (3 months)
Moderate, short term. The currents at the area are relative strong allowing maximum flushing
MCHE, Contractor May increase the number of days thereby increasing reclamation cost USD 1500-2000, depend on the contractor
Loss of habitat, damage or death of coral at the entrance area, protection wall area
Stakes put at the corners of the harbour dredging area so the excavator operator can identify the perimeter of the harbour basin, thereby avoiding unnecessary loss of or trampling of live coral. Since no live coral is observed at the area there will be no impact on coral, fish being mobile fish would move away from
Reef flat, lagoon
During construction phase (3 months)
Major, short term, may have a positive impact on long term by creating additional substrate for coral growth
MCHE, Contractor N / A , should be included in the initial costs
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impact zone
If possible coral transplantation to another location (only very few live coral are observed, mostly massive or encrusting forms therefore may have difficulty in transplanting)
Reef flat, lagoon
During construction (2 months)
N/A MCHE, Contractor Assigning a supervisor or hiring consultants to manage or monitor (USD 500-600 per month)
Excavation works will be carried out during low tide to minimize sedimentation around the existing entrance area
Reef flat, lagoon
During construction (3 months)
Major, short term. Since the tidal currents and swell induced currents are strong sediment plume will be directed away from the reef
Contractor May increase the number of days thereby increasing reclamation cost USD 1500-2000
Air pollution Completing the excavation works as soon as possible.
Air Construction phase (3 months)
Minor/short termed
Contractor N/A
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Noise pollution Completing the excavation works as soon as possible, avoid work at night
land Construction phase (3 months)
Minor/short term
Contractor N/A
Public safety (social impact)
Construct a fence restricting access to project area
Land Construction phase (6 months)
Short termed Contractor USD 1500-2000 should be included in the initial cost
Alteration to the local hydrodynamics, currents
none (direct impact from the proposed project is insignificant compared to large scale modifications already made to Villingili coastline)
beach, lagoon Operational phase
minor N/A
Solid waste Employee a staff for monitoring and cleaning the harbour
Harbour Operational Phase
Minor, long term
Maldives College of Higher Education
equivalent to government employees
Accidental spillage (oils, materials)
Put up sign boards advising good practices
Harbour Operational phase
Minor, long term
Maldives College of Higher Education
USD 30-40
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F.5 Uncertainties involved in identifying impacts
In spite of the measures that will be taken to mitigate against the foreseeable
impacts, there is always the possibility of impacts the were not foreseen, or
the extent of predicted impact can turn out to be greater than predicted, or
the mitigatory measures may not be as effective as expected. In order to
ensure that such incremental impacts do not suddenly appear without
warning, the project will monitor key parameters in the vicinity of the
development which can serve as environmental indicators (given in section I.
Monitoring program). The area (project area, direct impact area and indirect
impact area) has been surveyed and a baseline and reference plots have been
established at key locations on the reef and lagoon. These areas will be
monitored (during the monitoring program) regularly to provide an indication
of impacts before they become too advanced for corrective action
Since the project has not been awarded to a contractor yet, the method that
has been discussed in this report may not be used, instead a different method
for example use of a dredger or cutter suction pump might be used. In that
case the impacts by those would be different. But considering these it is very
unlikely that a contractor would use a dredger or a cutter suction pump since
it is very costly and economically not feasible for small projects.
G. ALTERNATIVES
G.1 Project location
The land allocated for the Maritime Survival Training Centre was decided by
the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Other locations were
requested by the Maldives College of Higher Education, including other sites at
Villingili and Hulhumale. According to Maldives College of Higher Education the
current allocated land isn’t the most ideal location but due scarcity and
availability of land they had to do with the allocated land.
In terms environmental impacts or social impacts constructing the Survival
Training Centre at Hulhumale or other location at Villingili would be the same.
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Both locations have undergone significant coastal modifications by
development activities. Villingili over the years, with the development activities
and increased population, have significantly damaged the reef environment.
Severe anthropogenic impacts are observed at the reef flat and slope areas.
Major impacts at Hulhumale reef area is due to sediment related impacts due
large scale reclamation works.
Therefore considering the fact that land is scarce and the kind of location
needed for the project (access to sea and requires a pool or harbour) is
difficult to attain, the proposed location is appropriate. Considering
environmental impacts, it is better to have this kind of project at Villingili than
at some place else where such significant impacts and degradation is not
observed.
Also it has to be noted that the project proponent can only suggest locations
where this kind of facility could be built (considering the requirements of the
project) to the government agency mandated to formulating land use plans
and allocating land.
G.2 Dredging and reclamation method
Since the project has not been awarded to a contractor at the time of report
compilation, the consultants made assumptions on what type of excavation or
dredging method would be used in projects of this nature. Since the dredging
works involved in the proposed project is minor, using excavators would be
the most economically feasible method. Using excavators for the dredging and
reclamation works can have significant impacts on the reef environment by
sedimentation impacts.
One alternative to minimise this impact is to employ a cutter-suction dredge
which reduces the amount of silt suspended in the water column. It will also
eliminate the need for blasting should hard substrate be encountered (at the
entrance area). But unfortunately, the use of cutter-suction dredges for the
small quantity of dredging involved in the proposed project is not economical
due to the high costs of mobilization and operation.
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Dredging and reclamation can also be done using a dredger. In using the
dredger, similar impacts as excavators are possible but to a lesser extent. But
similar to the option of using cutter suction pump, high cost of mobilization
and operation is a problem in small scale projects such as the reclamation and
dredging under the proposed project.
An alternative to reclamation method is to utilize the dredged material stored
at the southern side of Villingili. But since the project needs a harbour
regardless of method of reclamation or attaining fill material, sufficient amount
of dredged material will be generated. In considering this option, method of
disposing the dredged material from harbour basin excavation has to be
decided. It could be used to reclaim the abandoned vessel repair yard. But this
aspect is beyond the scope of this EIA.
G.3 The no project scenario
If considering the no project scenario, the significant environmental impacts
due to sedimentation and suspension of fine silt in the water column can be
avoided. Indirect impacts include degradation of water quality, damage to live
coral and slower rate of coral growth. Direct impacts which are irreversible
(dredging of harbour basin and clearance of entrance) can have significant
impacts on the fauna observed at the area.
But considering this alternative (no project scenario), the reef system of
Villingili has no significant features so as to label the reef an important site.
The reef is not used by any of the safari boats or resorts as a dive site. The
live coral and reef fish diversity is low. The reef is already damaged and
degraded at some areas to alarming levels (figure 20). Coastal modifications
and developments at the Villingili have significantly altered the littoral regime
and reef condition (figure 20 and Annex 4). Therefore construction of harbour
here would have less impact compared to a harbour in Ga, Gdh or Addu atoll
(areas where live coral cover is highest in the Maldives after the 1998 mass
coral bleaching event).
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H. PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The decision to site the maritime training centre is a policy decision to meet
future training requirements by the Centre for Maritime Studies, currently a
Faculty of Maldives College for Higher Education. This is partly in compliance
with IMO Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch
Keeping of Seafarers of which Maldives is party to since 1978 and also to meet
the maritime related training service by CMS. Based on this decision the land
required for the proposed development was allocated by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Development, the national authority for land use planning,
in consultation with Malé Municipality and Vilingili office. Therefore all the
relevant government agencies are involved in the site selection and allocation
procedure.
Although the draft EIA guideline of MEEW requires public consultation and
information disclosure to consider their concerns issues prior to the approval of
a specific project this consultation process is rarely practiced. Instances where
public consultation are taken as part of a decision making process for major
development projects, their concerns and aspirations are often redundant as
the development sites are predetermined and alternatives sites are almost
never considered.
Although the project site has been already allocated, and the scale of the
project is relatively small the aspiration of the community in the vicinity of the
project site has been taken into consideration in this EIA process. Several
individuals from the households on the vicinity were asked of their expectation
and concerns with construction and operation of the facility; none showed a
major objection locating such a facility in the neighbourhood especially with
respect to noise and aesthetics (blocking the sea view). However, one
household people complained because they use near-shore disposed fish
waste, where part of the training centre would be located.
Waste generation was not seen a problem as a designated waste disposal
facility is located on the island. This site is managed by waste section of
Ministry of Construction and Public works.
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These concerns and other points of view of the community and the
environmental issues associated with the project and its components have
formed the basis of this EIA, supplemented by the consultants’ observations
and knowledge on the environmental issues in the Maldives.
Public consultation would be made as part of the public information and
disclosure process as required by MEEW. As soon as the report is approved by
MCHE and MEEW, it would be available at least for perusal, to those who
request it.
The report would be published in MCHE website: www.mche.edu.mv
It would also be made available at MEEW website: www.environment.gov.mv
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I. MONITORING PROGRAM Monitoring of the environment is essential to ensure that potential impacts are
minimized and to mitigate unanticipated impacts. The following table provides
the methods and indicators that will be used and the frequency of sampling of
the marine environment (Table 10). Indicators used will be percentage of live
coral cover and fish diversity and abundance. Data from the photo quadrates
will be used as baseline data to carry out monitoring to assess whether
previous levels of indicators had increased or decreased.
Table 10 Monitoring plan for the development project at Villingili reef system.
Reef community Methodology Sampling
frequency
Estimated cost
for monitoring
coral and other
benthic cover
LIT Twice( during
and after
completion of
project)
Rate per field
survey USD 500.00
Reef fish
community, diversity
and abundance
Fish visual Census Twice( during
and after
completion of
project)
Rate per field
survey USD 500.00
Coral recruitment,
growth rates and
mortality
Quadrate method
including photo-
quadrate
methodology
Twice( during
and after
completion of
project)
Rate per field
survey USD 500.00
Sedimentation rates Quantitative
assessment of
sediment loading on
the reef benthos
sediment traps
deployed at the
predetermined
locations
Every two month Rate per field
survey USD 200.00
Sea water quality Water samples sent
to Food and drug
authority for
analysis. Following
parameters are to be
tested; salinity, pH,
Electrical
Twice( during
and after
completion of
project)
Rate per test set
USD 100.00
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conductivity,
dissolved oxygen,
Nitrite, Nitrate,
Phosphate,
Sulphates, total
coliforms and faecal
coliforms.
* Show line and beach monitoring is not included in the monitoring program since
impact to the small beach strip observed north of the proposed reclamation area will
be minor or none.
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J. REFERENCES
Allison, W.R., (1996) ‘Methods for surveying coral reef benthos’. Prepared for
IMS, Zanzibar, 18 pp.
An assessment of Maldivian coral reefs and bait fish populations from the
Indian Ocean tsunami (Unpublished) (2005), Prepared by the Australian
government and Marine Research Center: 7-23.
DHI (1999). Physical modelling on Navigation conditions and wave
disturbance Maaneru site. Danish Hydraulic Institute.
Shore Protection Manual, (1994) US Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC.
Aslam, M. (2004). Reef Flat and Shallow Passage Hydrodynamics: Addu Atoll
Maldives. MSc. Thesis, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
English, S., Wilkinson, C. and Baker, V. (1997). Survey Manual for Tropical
Marine Resources. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.
390pp.
JICA (1992). The development study on the seawall construction project for
Male Island in the Republic of Maldives.
Kench, P. S .and Brander, R. (2005). Sensitivity of reef islands to seasonal
climate oscillations: South Maalhosmadulu atoll, Maldives. Submitted to Coral
Reefs.
Masselink, G., (1998). Field investigation of wave propagation over a bar and
the consequent generation of secondary waves. Coastal Eng. 33, 1 – 9.
Kench, P.S. and McLean, F.R. (2004). Hydrodynamics and sediment transport
fluxes of functional Hoa in an Indian Ocean Atoll. School of Geography and
Environmental Science, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Loya, Y. (1978). A Plotless and transect methods. In: Stoddart, D.R. and R.F.
Johannes (eds). Coral Reefs: research methods. UNESCO, Paris: pp197-217.
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Ministry of Construction and Public Works. (1999). Environmental/Technical
Study for Dredging/Reclamation Works Under the Hulhumale Project, Maldives
– Draft Final Stage 1 Report.
Naseer, A. and Bruce, G. H. (2004). Inventory of the Maldives coral reefs
using morphometrics generated from Landsat ETM+ imagery. Coral Reefs.
Ohlhorst SL; Liddle WD; Taylor RJ and Taylor JM. (1988). Evaluation of reef
census techniques. Proceedings of 6th International Coral reef Symposium.
Australia. 2: 319-324
Segal, B. and Castro, C.B. (2001). A Proposed Method for Coral Cover
Assessment: A case study in Abrolhos, Brazil. Bulletin of Marine Science 69
(2): 487-496.
Woodroffe, C.D. (1992). Morphology and evolution of reef islands in the
Maldives. Proc 7th Int Coral Reef Symp. 2: 1217 – 1226.
Young, I.R. 1999. Seasonal variability of the global ocean wind and wave
climate. International Journal of Climatology, 19: 931-950.
Kuiter R. H. (1998). Photo guide to Fishes of the Maldives
Coleman, Neville (2000). Marine Life of Maldives.
Veron, JEN (John Edward Norwood) (2000). Corals of the World
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K. ANNEXES
K.1 Scope of work approved by MEEW (TOR)
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K.2 Scaled drawing set
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K.3 Landuse plan
SEVENTH FLOOR, MTCC TOWER, MALE' 20-02 REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES TEL: 337717, 321960 FAX: 328999 e-mail :- [email protected]
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K.4 Photo plates
Existing entrance channel area to the vessel repair yard, part of this area will be used as entrance area to the harbour of the proposed project
General condition of the proposed reclamation area
Harbour basin of the vessel repair yard, now filled with waste and few sunken vessels
Out of the break water constructed to protect the vessel repair yard harbour area
General reef condition at the northern side of the project area near the commercial harbour
Few colonies of Pocillopora was observed growing on the tumbled down rocks of the breakwater
Fish waste dumped near the fish processing area at the western reef /lagoon of Villingili
Fish waste dumped near the fish processing area at the western reef /lagoon of Villingili
Gross mis-management of shore based fishery at Villingili. The approximately 300m area to a depth of 20-25m covered in dense entangled fishing lines
A tree bracnh entangled with fishing line, the very few live coral at area was also entangled in fishing line
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K.5 Letter to Ministry of Environment, Energy and
Water