Environmental Impact Assessment Study

Home , Faafu Atoll

Thuraakunu Island Development Committee

Thuraakunu Harbour Construction Thuraakunu, Ha Alif Atol

Area2

Mooring

January 2008

Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Private Limited Thuraakunu Island Development Committee

Environmental Impact Assessment Study

Thuraakunu Harbour Construction Thuraakunu, Ha Alif Atol

January 2008

Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Private Limited

Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Declaration of the Consultant

I certify that statements made in this Environmental Impact Assessment study are true, complete and correct.

Hussein Zahir EIA Consultant (Reg. no. EIA 04/07)

Date: 23-01-08

Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...... 1 1 Introduction...... 1 1.1 Purpose of the Report and Need for the EIA ...... 1 1.2 Structure of the Report...... 2 2 Project setting...... 3 2.1 Environment Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives ...... 3 2.2 Second National Environmental Action Plan (1999)...... 4 2.2.1 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan...... 5 2.2.2 Protected Areas and Sensitive Areas ...... 5 2.3 Cutting down, uprooting, digging out and export of trees and palms from one island to another...... 6 2.4 Guidelines for land Use Planning ...... 6 3 Project description...... 8 3.1 Project Proponent...... 8 3.2 The Project...... 8 3.3 Need for the project ...... 8 3.4 Location and extent of site boundaries ...... 9 3.5 Construction phase and schedule for implementation ...... 10 3.6 Major Inputs...... 12 3.6.1 Mobilization and material downloading ...... 12 3.6.2 Workforce ...... 12 3.6.3 Heavy machinery Power generation ...... 12 3.6.4 Construction methods ...... 12 3.6.5 Excavation method...... 12 3.6.6 Construction of wharfs and harbour protection structures...... 13 3.7 Major Outputs ...... 13 3.7.1 Harbour design...... 13 3.7.2 Dredged material...... 13 3.8 Risk associated with the project...... 14 4 Methodology...... 15 5 Public consultation...... 17 5.1 Institutional arrangements...... 17 5.2 Community Consultations / Stakeholder Meetings ...... 18 6 Existing Environment ...... 19 6.1 General Setting...... 19 6.2 Geographic location and general setting of Thuraakunu ...... 20 6.3 Climatology...... 21 6.3.1 Rain and Temperature...... 21 6.3.2 Wind Climate and Oceanography...... 22 6.3.2.1 Tide ...... 25 6.3.2.2 Waves...... 27

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6.3.2.3 Current ...... 28 6.4 Beach Environment...... 31 6.5 Marine surveys...... 37 6.5.1. Coral community ...... 38 6.5.2. Reef fish community...... 41 6.5.3 Seawater quality...... 43 6.6 Hazard Vulnerability, area vulnerable to flooding and storm surge...... 45 6.7 Social Environment...... 49 7 Environmental Impacts...... 51 7.1 Impact Identification...... 51 7.2 Limitation or uncertainty of impact prediction...... 52 7.3 Construction Impacts ...... 52 7.3.1 Schedule, logistics and loading and unloading construction materials...... 53 7.3.2 Construction materials and solid waste...... 53 7.3.3 Impacts due to construction methods...... 54 7.3.4 Impact on vegetation...... 55 7.3.5 Coastal structures...... 55 7.3.6 Social impacts, noise and air pollution ...... 56 7.3.7 Effects on Groundwater Quality ...... 56 7.4 Operational Impacts...... 57 7.4.1 Impact to hydrodynamic patterns...... 57 7.4.2 Social impacts ...... 59 7.4.1 Wastewater Disposal or littering of harbour...... 59 8 Mitigation Plan...... 62 9 Alternatives ...... 66 9.1 Location ...... 66 9.2 Excavation method...... 66 9.3 The no project scenario...... 67 10. Monitoring and Reporting...... 67 11 Conclusion...... 70

List of figures

Figure 1 Site boundaries, showing the direct impact area ...... 10 Figure 2 Location of Maldives in the western Indian Ocean...... 20 Figure 3 Geographic location of Thuraakunu...... 21 Figure 4 Mean climatic data for from 1992 to 2001...... 22 Figure 5 Wind speed and direction distribution at Hanimaadhoo at various seasons. ...24 Figure 6 Percent of wind occurrences and number of days with a particular wind speed...... 24 Figure 7 Percent of wind occurrences and number of days with a particular wind speed...... 25 Figure 8 Spectral density analysis of tide data from Hanimaadhoo indicating the main tidal constituents ...... 26 Figure 9 Tidal profile for year 2002 at Hanimaadhoo ...... 27

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Figure 10 Significant wave height at Hanimaadhoo...... 27 Figure 11 Chances of getting high significant wave heights are low...... 28 Figure 12 Current patterns studied at the harbour area by drogue tracks (30s interval readings)...... 30 Figure 13 Positions of the bench marks and the locations of transects...... 31 Figure 14 A shallow gradient is observed from the south to the northern end of the island...... 32 Figure 15 Profile along the western side of the proposed location of harbour...... 33 Figure 16 Profile along the eastern side of the proposed location of harbour. More shallow and being eroded by wave action...... 33 Figure 17 Profile along the sand pit during the SW monsoon...... 34 Figure 18 Several berm steps (left) and high erosion scarps (right) are formed on the south eastern part of the island...... 34 Figure 19 On the northern side, foreshore is described by sea grass and beach rock.....35 Figure 20 Sandy beach is observed at the southern side of the island, but the eastern and western ends are more of shingle nature...... 36 Figure 21 Narrow and shingle beach is observed at north western and eastern beach, while the northern central beach is sandy...... 36 Figure 22 Western side corner of Thuraakunu, composed of shingle and rocky beach .37 Figure 23 General location of marine surveys with respect to the harbour basin...... 38 Figure 24 Benthic community at reef site (RF 1). Error bars are standard error of means...... 39 Figure 25 Generic composition of live coral community at RF 1. Note that the Acropora are grouped into Acropora branching and Acropora tabulate...... 39 Figure 26 Benthic community at reef site (RF 2). Error bars are standard error of means...... 40 Figure 27 Generic composition of live coral community at RF 1. Note that the Acropora are grouped into Acropora branching and Acropora tabulate...... 40 Figure 28 Benthic community at reef site (RF 3). Error bars are standard error of means...... 41 Figure 29 Tsunami hazard zones, category 5 is the highest risk zone while 1 is the lowest (figure derived from UNDP report on Disaster risk profile for Maldives November 2006) ...... 46 Figure 30 Track of severe storms affecting Maldives during 1877-2004...... 47 Figure 31 Cyclone Hazard Zoning (source: UNDP report on Disaster risk profile for Maldives November 2006) ...... 48 Figure 32 Surge hazard zones (source: UNDP report on Disaster risk profile for Maldives November 2006) ...... 49 Figure 33 Possible wave condition after the construction of harbour walls...... 58 Figure 34 Current dynamics at the eastern side of the harbour ...... 59

List of Tables

Table 1 Construction schedule for the proposed harbour development project ...... 11 Table 2 The four seasons experienced in the Maldives...... 22 Table 3 Table summarizing tide levels at Hanimadhoo, Hdh atoll...... 26 Table 4 Location of the marine surveys (GPS coordinates). SW 1 is seawater sampling site 1...... 37 Table 5 Fish community structure at the Reef survey site RF1...... 42

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Table 6 Dominant fish community at the Reef survey site RF1...... 42 Table 7 Fish density at the sampling site RF 2...... 43 Table 8 Dominant fish community at the Reef survey site RF2...... 43 Table 9 Seawater quality parameter at the sampling location in the reef at S. Maradhoo. Data analysis was carried out by the National Health Laboratory, Maldives Food and Drug Authority. Report number NHL/RE/WC 1985...... 44 Table 10 Impact prediction Categorized...... 51 Table 11 Impact matrix for the harbour development works at Thuraakunu ...... 61 Table 12 Possible environmental impacts and mitigation measures for harbour development work at Thuraakunu ...... 63 Table 13 Monitoring program for Thuraakunu. Costs are annual...... 69

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Executive Summary

1. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is to fulfil the regulatory requirement under the environmental preservation act of Maldives prior to the proposed harbour development at Thuraakunu in Ha Alif atoll.

2. Major component of the proposed development is construction of a harbour basin in the south eastern reef flat. A sheet pile quay wall and an armoured rock breakwater to protect the harbour basin.

3. Sediment excavated to deepen the harbour basin would be used to reclaim a narrow strip of land on the northern side of the island.

4. Thuraakunu is exposed to oceanic and wind generated waves due to its setting on the northern extreme of Ha Alif Atoll. Over the past several years there is neither a harbour basin nor a jetty for loading and unloading of goods and other services to and from the island. Attempts to constructs and maintain a jetty has been short-lived to severe coastal processes along the shoreline.

5. Work methodology for the proposed work has been chosen with due consideration on the type of development, its size and duration as well. Based on the size and duration of the proposed activities a barge operated excavator has been proposed to carry out the excavation works for the harbour basin, channels and the slipway area.

6. This report provides the results of the fieldwork carried out on Thuraakunu in October and November 2007 and associated public and community consultations that followed. The environmental impacts arising from the proposed developments are predicted based on the findings of the fieldwork along with the activities that cause these impacts during the construction and operation phase.

7. Existing environment was examined to identify significant environmental components that would be affected and to establish a baseline condition of the site. Available and relevant literature on environmental impacts associated with similar projects was evaluated to identify possible impacts. Oceanographic data and information on local hydrodynamics were qualitatively assessed to determine the current pattern around the island which was

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based on monsoonal wind patterns, wind generated waves, tidal flushing, geographic setting, the topography of the lagoon and shape of the shoreline.

8. Three sites were selected to assessment reef benthos and selected fish community as the baseline data which would also be considered for long-term monitoring program to monitor the impact of the project. In addition to the fish and benthic surveys seawater quality was assessed in the lagoon and off the upper slope of the north eastern reef near the reef access channel.

9. The substrate of the lagoon is mostly abiotic. The area to be dredged is dominated with rock and sand characterised by a reef flat with high proportion of consolidated and unconsolidated rocks and sandy sediments.

10. The reef flat where the proposed harbour basin would be located was dominated by rock and sand. Coral cover contributes merely 3% at site 1. Coral cover contributes merely 18% at reef monitoring site 2 whereas the benthic community at site 3 (proposed reclamation area) was dominated by sea grass (65%)

11. It is important to note that the most significant impact associated with the project would be impact on the marine environment from sedimentation. Dredging and excavation often carry heavy load of sediments increasing sediment load in the water column causing discoloration (due to suspended sediments) of the of the impact area for a prolonged period. Environmental impact matrix in chapter 7 identified key components of the natural and socioeconomic environment; the likely impacts on each component based on the criteria used for impact prediction. The proposed development will have direct impact on the benthos in all excavated areas. However, there is no established coral community that would be directly affected except perhaps few isolated coral colonies.

12. The proposed harbour is designed with due consideration to the local hydrodynamic condition of the location proposed for the harbour. Off shore harbour basin proposed against the conventional and popular design of harbour basin (rectangular and often annexed to the shoreline) allows sediment movement and water exchange between the harbour basin and the shoreline in the former compared to the later. The harbour basin is also protected with a breakwater structure dissipating the wave energy otherwise without such a structure. Without a breakwater structure waves propagating across the reef flat will decrease in amplitude when it reaches the deeper water in the harbour basin.

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13. Environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are considered minor to moderate. The significant environmental components that are likely to be affected are the coral community established on the reef flat and changes to littoral drift and near-shore coastal hydrodynamics. Impact on the coral community from sedimentation as a result of excavation is inevitable. It is also important to note that the coral community in the immediate impact area is rather sparse and coral rubble and sand dominates the reef substrate.

14. Mitigation measures were provided in the report for impacts that were categorized minor to moderate. Impact mitigation measures and monitoring is carried out to compare predicted and actual impacts occurring from project activities to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures. The environmental monitoring proposed here is to determine the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and long term change to the benthic community (especially coral community) where the baseline information was collected. In addition to this additional monitoring station would be established at the reef slope (channel entrance) to determine the changes to this habitat by sediment deposition transported through the reef access channel.

15. With due consideration to main environmental components identified and the magnitude of impacts on these components from the proposed developments, the consultant concludes that the project components and designs are feasible and appropriate mitigation measures are given to correct and minimize unfavourable environmental consequences. Furthermore the public and community consultation responses were in favour of the project due to the socio-economic benefits.

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1 Introduction

Thuraakunu is the northern most island of Ha Alif atoll (geographically located at Ihavandhippolhuu atoll) without a harbour facility all its history. However, a private financer has agreed to finance the construction of a harbour basin with breakwaters and quay wall at the island.

The design criteria and its environmental considerations are given in Annex 1 of this doccument. The harbour at Thurakunu is designed to accommodate for the basic requirments for a safe anchorage and safe loading and unloading of goods and passengers. The coastal structures associated with the harbour are desiged on the basis of the site investigations carried out for the EIA report for this development, anecdotal information and longterm climatic data available for northern regions of Maldives. Three main structures shall be constructed in association with the harbour. The priliminary designs of these structures are given in the following sections

1.1 Purpose of the Report and Need for the EIA

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study covers environmental reporting requirement for development of a harbour as stipulated by the environmental regulation of Maldives. Coastal developments such as harbours that are likely to a have a significant impacts to the environment are required to submit and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports by Environmental Act of Maldives. Article 5 (a) of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93) provides for an impact assessment study to be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water (MEEW) before implementation of any activity that may have a significant impact on the environment. The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation of Maldives (EIA Regulations, 2007) provides a list of development proposals requiring environmental impact assessment reports which are outlined in schedule D where Environmental Impact assessments are mandatory for harbour development projects. Therefore, in accordance with the above requirements and procedures to follow under the EIA regulations, a scoping meeting to discuss the development proposal and determine the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the EIA report was held between the Client (representative from Thuraakunu Island office), Consultant (EIA consultant representing LaMer Group Pvt Ltd) and the Regulator (Representatives from Environment Research Centre) on the 4th of October 2007. This report provides the results of the field work carried

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out on Thuraakunu in October and November 2007 and associated public and community consultations that followed based on the TOR approved by MEEW.

1.2 Structure of the Report

The structure of this report is in accordance with the Terms of Reference (TOR) discussed in the presence of the developer, the EIA consultant, representative from Ministry of Construction and Public Works (MCPI), Ministry of Atolls Development (MAD) and Representatives of Environmental Research Centre (ERC) as the EIA regulatory body. Upon submission of a draft TOR by the EIA consultant it was approved by the MEEW on 18th of October 2007, based on the discussions between the consultant, the client and the other stakeholders. The approved Terms of Reference (TOR) for this report is attached in Annex 2 of this document. The TOR was also copied to MCPI and MAD.

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2 Project setting

The project conforms to the requirements of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives, Law no. 4/93. The EIA has been undertaken in accordance with the EIA Regulation 2007 of the Maldives by a registered consultant. Furthermore, it adheres to the principles underlined in the regulations, action plans, program and policies of the following Government Ministries.

• Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water • Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure • Ministry of Atolls Development • Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Letter of commitment to undertake the mitigation measures and financing of monitoring program is attached in Annex 3

These are discussed in detail in the following sections.

2.1 Environment Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives

The Articles of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) addresses the following aspects of environmental management:

• Guidelines and advice on environmental protection shall be provided by the concerned government authorities. • Formulating policies, rules and regulations for protection and conservation of the environment in areas that do not already have a designated government authority already carrying out such functions shall be carried out by MEEW. • Identifying and registering protected areas and natural reserves and drawing up of rules and regulations for their protection and preservation. • An EIA shall be submitted to MEEW before implementing any developing project that may have a potential impact on the environment. • Projects that have any undesirable impact on the environment can be terminated without compensation. • Disposal of waste, oil, poisonous substances and other harmful substances within the territory of the Maldives is prohibited. Waste shall be disposed only in the areas designated for the purpose by the government.

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• Hazardous / Toxic or Nuclear Wastes shall not be disposed anywhere within the territory of the country. Permission should be obtained for any trans boundary movement of such wastes through the territory of Maldives. • The Penalty for Breaking the Law and Damaging the Environment are specified. • The government of the Maldives reserves the right to claim compensation for all damages that are caused by activities that are detrimental to the environment.

The proposed harbour development at Ha Thuraakunu will fully abide to the Environmental Preservation and Protection Act. Disposal of oil, chemicals and other hazardous materials will be strictly controlled and managed. Such materials will not be disposed in to the local or the regional environment, but will be transported to designated waste disposal site, in Ha. Atoll or government approved disposal site. In the event some of the hazardous waste such as oils and chemicals is not allowed to be disposed at sites in Ha. Atoll, it would be transported to Thilafushi.

2.2 Second National Environmental Action Plan (1999)

The aim of NEAP II is to protect and preserve the environment of the Maldives and to sustainably manage its resources for the collective benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Main strategies of the NEAP II are:

• Continuous assessment of the state of the environment in the Maldives, including impacts of human activities on land, atmosphere, freshwater, lagoons, reefs and the ocean; and the effects of these activities on human well being • Development and implementation of management methods suitable for the natural • and social environment of the Maldives, and maintain or enhance environmental quality and protect human health, while at the same time using resources on a sustainable basis • Consultation and collaboration with all relevant sectors of society to ensure stakeholder participation in the decision making process • Preparation and implementation of comprehensive national environmental legislation • in order to provide for responsible and effective management of the environment • Adhering to international and regional environmental conventions and agreements and • Implementation of commitments embodied in such conventions.

NEAP II specifies priority actions in the following areas.

• Climate change and sea level rise; coastal zone management;

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• biological diversity conservation; integrated reef resources management; • integrated water resources management; • management of solid waste and sewerage; • Pollution control and management of hazardous waste; • sustainable tourism development; • land resources management and sustainable agriculture • Human settlement and urbanization.

NEAP II contains environmental policies and guidelines that should be adhered to in the implementation of the proposed project activities.

The proponents has committed to carryout and finance the EIA and monitoring work. The monitoring program proposed in this report outlines the environmental management strategy and plan. This EIA has also been prepared in consultation with all the key stakeholders. Therefore, these measures address the key strategies outlined in the NEAP II.

2.2.1 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The goals of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan are: • Conserve biological diversity and sustainable utilization of biological resources. • Build capacity for biodiversity conservation through a strong governance framework, and improved knowledge and understanding. • Foster community participation, ownership and support for biodiversity conservation.

Prior to the development of the detailed concept of the project, a field visit was carried out to asses the shoreline environment of Thuraakunu. The information collected during the field visit will be used to assess the most appropriate location for harbour construction to ensure that minimal damage is on the marine organisms and habitat (secondary data were also analyzed to set the design criteria of the harbour structures). In the event where it is inevitable that habitat or organisms are impacted, practical mitigation measures and solutions have been identified to conserve and protect the biodiversity.

2.2.2 Protected Areas and Sensitive Areas

Under Article 4 of the Environment Protection and Preservation Act, the Ministry of Environment is vested with the responsibility of identifying and registering protected areas and natural reserves and drawing up of rules and regulations for their protection and preservation. At present there are no rules and regulations made available to the public on designation and protection of habitats and heritage areas.

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At the proposed project boundary, there are no protected sites or resources such as birds and trees. Although protected trees are not observed, old and larger trees will be retained within the proximity of harbour access (land side) and wharf area.

2.3 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), the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water has made a by law with the purpose of educating developers about the 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 designated 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

2.4 Guidelines for land Use Planning

This guide developed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) stipulates the criteria and procedure to follow for location and construction of harbours. Clause 16.3.2 clearly states that the design and location of the harbours should consider the vulnerability of the shoreline of the island to coastal erosion. As such harbour construction should follow the environmental impact assessment procedure outlined in the EIA regulation

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developed under the environmental preservation act of Maldives. It states the preparation of land use plans for such islands shall be supervised by the relevant government office, in this case, Ministry of Planning and Development and Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure. The guidelines also refer to a minimum of 20m wide Environmental Protection Zone (EPZ), consisting of vegetation to be provided around the outer periphery of the island between the beach and rest of the island. However, it also states the EPZ’s can be excluded from areas where the land use is for harbour frontage or for commercial use.

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3 Project description

3.1 Project Proponent

The proposed development project will be managed by the Ha. Thuraakunu Island Development Committee. The project is funded by the Villa Travel and Trade Pvt Ltd.

3.2 The Project

The proposed development project involves development of a 150m x 66m harbour and a 74m long, 20mt wide entrance channel (see Annex 1 design criteria report and Annex 4 for site plan). The harbour protection walls will be constructed using armour stones, while the wharfs will be sheet piled. Part of the dredge material from harbour excavation works will be used as backfilling; while the rest will be disposed at the northern side of the island (see Annex 4 for site plan).

3.3 Need for the project

Although the island of Thuraakunu has a small population there are a number of medium to small size dhonis registered to the island, among them are fishing vessels and transport vessels (travelling between Thuraakunu and Male’). In addition to these vessels, vessels from other islands (fishing vessels operating at the area) uses the sheltered area at the southern side during the NE monsoon, and it is thought more vessels will use this seasonally sheltered area simply for convenience and also due to proximity to certain fishing grounds. Although sheltered seasonally there is no safe harbour basin or safe mooring available and the boat owners have the inconvenience to keeping their vessels anchored in the atoll lagoon nearshore.

People of Thuraakunu has always faces a difficult time in unloading fishes and other goods to the island because of the rough conditions experienced at the current anchorage most of the year. Access to the island is done by anchoring the vessels and using small boats (bokuras). This method transporting people and goods is often dangerous due to the refracted swells running perpendicular to the shore (possibility of over turning the boats) and causing injury to people or damage goods. Therefore there has always been a need for a safe harbour basin how ever, financial constraints has always been a big hurdle for the island community to over come. The opportunity to develop an appropriate harbour through private funding (funded by entrepreneur, Mr. Qasim Ibrahim) was over whelmingly appreciated by the island community.

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The need for a safe harbour on this island is therefore not based just on the economic feasibility of developing a harbour but more a need for the socio-economic development of the island community.

3.4 Location and extent of site boundaries

Ha Thuraakunu is situated at about 50 km from HDh Hanimaadhoo airport and 330 km from the capital Male’ and is the northern most island oriented in the east west direction in the archipelago. In terms of geographic coordinates, it is found at 7o 06.24’ N and 72o 53.99’ E and lies on the northern most fringe of the Ha Atoll. The reef system accommodating the island of Thuraakunu has an area of approximately 0.738 km2. The reef flat on the northern and western side is shallower than the reef flat on the southern side of the island. A large surf zone is built on the north and the western side of the island. The proposed harbour will be located at the south eastern side of the island (Figure 1). Approximate area of direct impact is 41000m2 (harbour area) Dredged material disposal area is located at the north western side of the island (Figure 1). Approximately an area of 21674m2 of northern shoreline would be reclaimed which is regarded as direct impact area with respect to the primary objective of the project.

Possible indirect impact is envisaged on the south western and south eastern side of proposed harbour. Due to the dynamics of waves at the western and eastern side of the reef the sediment plume is envisaged to be moving to the south central area.

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Site boundaries

Figure 1 Site boundaries, showing the direct impact area

3.5 Construction phase and schedule for implementation

Thuraakunu harbour project construction stage is estimated to be 6 months. Below are the major sub components of construction phase. Table provides the work program and work schedule.

• Mobilization, material download and vegetation clearance • Excavation of harbour basin • Excavation of entrance channel • Disposal of dredged material • Sheet piling • Construction of harbour walls and entrance walls

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Table 1 Construction schedule for the proposed harbour development project

Months No Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 Mobilization and material download Vegetation clearance at the harbour 2 front 3 Excavation of harbour basin 4 Excavation of entrance channel 5 Back filling and sheet piling Dredged material 6 disposal/reclamation 7 Construction of harbour walls

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3.6 Major Inputs

3.6.1 Mobilization and material downloading

All material for the proposed project will be transported the site on cargo dhonis and barges. The southern side of the island has a deep lagoon and a large sand spit, during NE monsoon this beach can be accessed even by larger cargo dhonis (deep lagoon almost up to the beach toe). No major vegetation will be cleared for temporary stock piling of material will be temporarily stored in the non vegetated area associated with shifting sand spit on the south side of the island. Small bushes and shrubs at the shoreline in front of the proposed harbour basin will be removed and relocated where necessary (this area will be used as harbour front and access to the harbour during operational phase).

3.6.2 Workforce

Total work force for the project is 10-15 workers. All workers will be accommodated in existing residential houses. Food and other facilities will be met by existing facilities on the island. No additional temporary sheds or accommodation units will be constructed.

3.6.3 Heavy machinery Power generation

Machinery used for the proposed project are, excavators, cranes and trucks. Excavators will also be used for construction of harbour protection walls and entrance channel walls. Power for the project site will be met by the existing islands power house.

3.6.4 Construction methods

3.6.5 Excavation method

Excavation works for the proposed development project will be met by excavators. One excavator and two trucks will be used during excavation works (machinery and operators funded by Villa Travel and Trade Ptv Ltd). Initially a bund wall will be reclaimed to trap sediment and reduce sedimentation impacts. After wards harbour basin will be excavated to a depth of -3m (MSL).

Entrance area will be cleared using the excavator, in the event when excavator alone is unable to clear the entrance, areas requiring blasting will be identified and permit for blasting will be

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taken from Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. Since it will be difficult to identify the need of blasting at time of field surveys the EIA report does not cover it. The excavator will be operated on barge at areas where depth exceeds 1.5m.

3.6.6 Construction of wharfs and harbour protection structures

Wharfs or quay wall will be constructed using sheet piles, the sheet pile (9 m long) will be driven in to the lagoon bed by using a crane with driving machinery. After driving in the sheet piles, tie rods will be installed connecting to the anchor slabs. After anchoring the sheet piles back filling will be carried out using the excavated material from the deepening of the harbour basin.

The harbour boundary walls will be constructed using amour rocks, armour rocks will be placed at the walls sections by using excavator.

3.7 Major Outputs

3.7.1 Harbour design

Major out of the proposed project is the 150m x 66m harbour facility. The harbour will have one berthing area for passenger vessels, one berthing area for loading and unloading of goods, and three mooring areas (see design criteria in Annex 1 and Annex 4 for site plan). The entrance of the harbour is 74m long and 22m wide. At the central area of the wharf a staircase will be constructed for passenger use.

3.7.2 Dredged material

Dredge material removed from the harbour basin will be transported to disposal sites on trucks (part dredged material will be used for back filling work). 39000m3 of dredge material will be removed from the harbour basin and entrance channel (the value is derived from calculations using the data taken from bathymetry survey; see Annex 5 for Bathymetric survey drawing).

By disposal of dredged material, approximately 13,000m3 of land at the north western side of the island will be reclaimed (see Annex 4 for site plan).

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3.8 Risk associated with the project

Major risks associated with the project are short term damage to the marine environment due to sedimentation by excavation and clearance works a Ha. Thuraakunu. Chronic impacts such as this can be cumulative and long term. However, the proposed duration for the construction is short (6 months) which would unlikely lead to chronic or long term impact. Coastal modification involved by this proposed project may have considerable impacts on the littoral movement of the island. At present large sand spit is observed at the southern central area of the island, this sand spit may be impacted due the obstruction of local hydrodynamic regime by construction of harbour walls and entrance walls. How ever, it should be noted that the designing and location of the harbour basin has taken into consideration the littoral transport of the shoreline sediments. According to the local key informants, the harbour basin location proposed is at the eastern extent of the sand spit when it shifts to the east during south west monsoon taking into consideration the local knowledge for the harbour location, in addition to the hydrodynamics and oceanographic aspects studied for harbour location.

Damage to live coral is inevitable in development projects such as the proposed harbour construction at Thuraakunu. There is virtually no sandy area shallow enough to construct the harbour breakwaters leading to locate the basin on the partly inter tidal reef flat. Impacts involved are sedimentation and smothering of live coral (close to the harbour basin). Disposal of dredge material at the northern side of the island may have a positive impact by stabilizing the beach, but is probably a short term impact. During disposal of dredge material at the northern and north eastern side may have negative impacts to the near shore habitat due to sedimentation.

In terms of social impacts, positive impacts are envisaged by the proposed project. Positive social impacts include safety of people accessing the island, safe unloading of materials and goods and possible economic opportunities due to usage of the harbour by fishing vessels operating in the area.

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4 Methodology

The approach to data collection and compilation of this report includes;

• Consultation and discussion with the proponent with regard to design and work methodology that would be used to implement the proposed activities, • Examination of the existing environment to identify significant environmental components that would be affected, • Consultation with major stakeholders to exchange information on the project and to follow the procedures required for the report, and • Evaluation of available and relevant literature on environmental impacts associated with similar projects.

Information on existing environment was collected during the field visit to the project site during 26-29 October 2007 and 15-16 November 2007. General information on the existing environment was based on available secondary data, such as climatic data for Ha Alif atoll in general (National Meteorological Centre at Hanimaadhoo) because no site specific data was available. Due to the general uniformity of the climatic data along Maldives climatic data from Hanimaadhoo were considered applicable to the site given the lack of availability of site specific data and also the short time available for the preparation of the report to collect such data. Oceanographic data and information used to determine the current pattern around the island was also based on monsoonal wind patterns, wind generated waves, tidal flushing, geographic setting, the topography of the lagoon and shape of the shoreline.

An underwater camera with housing was used to take a series of photographs for assessing reef benthic community. Photo quadrats were taken along a 50 meter transect line. Randomly selected 50 quadrats were sampled within a 5 meter belt along the 50 meter transect line. Three sites were selected for reef benthic community assessment: 1. Location of the proposed harbour basin, 2. Reef adjacent o the proposed harbour basin and 3. Proposed reclamation area on the northern shoreline (area proposed to dispose excess sediments from the deepening of harbour basin). The ecological setting of the reef adjacent to the proposed harbour basin would act as a baseline for future reef monitoring while the other two sites assessed is to estimate the ecological components at these sites. Coral point count with excel extension (CPCe) was used to assess the benthic cover.

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Assessment of the selected fish community was also carried out at the same site which would also be considered the baseline for future monitoring of the impact of the project. Fish abundance and density surveys were based on visual fish census techniques described in English et al., 1997. The 50 meter long transect line used to assess the coral and other benthic substrate was used to assess the visual fish census. Three 15 meter length and 3 meter wide segments that were consecutive along the transect line were used to estimate the diversity and abundance of 11 targeted coral reef fish families that are commonly associated with the reef environment of Maldives, All surveys were carried out by snorkelling. The depth of survey areas ranged between 1 and 3 meters.

Seawater quality was also assessed in the lagoon (vicinity of the proposed harbour basin) and within the harbour basin to establish a baseline for the physical and chemical parameters of seawater. No terrestrial surveys were carried out since there in no impact or alteration to the terrestrial environment from the project activities.

Understanding the baseline condition of the site was therefore based on largely secondary data available and limited site specific data collected during the field visit. It is important to note that the most significant impact associated with the project would be impact to the shoreline and impact on the marine environment from sedimentation. Yet there was not enough time available to determine the existing rates of sedimentation, no such data available for the site. Such information as a baseline is important to determine the effect of sedimentation input from the project activity.

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5 Public consultation

As part of public consultation process for this project proposal relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector were consulted and discussions were exchanged based on the proposed project activities. The need justifications and approval of the proposed activities from the perspective of relevant institutions were inclusive of this consultative process. The consultative process is based on meeting and discussions with representatives of relevant stakeholders. Perceptions of the community in the vicinity of the proposed project site based on specific focus groups such as island officials, boat owners and fishermen were also included in this consultative process.

A list of people met in this consultative process is given in Annex 6.

5.1 Institutional arrangements

Thuraakunu is administratively located in Ha Alif atoll where all island communities are administered through Ministry of Atolls Development. Day-to-day administrative and management of the island community needs together with routine reporting to relevant ministries or other institutions in Male, is administered and managed by the island chief (Katheeb) and a few support administrative staff.

Similar to all development proposals the harbour development proposal is usually submitted to the Ministry of Atolls development through the atoll office (Ha Atoll office in Dhidhdhoo). The proposal is then submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Development to seek funds. Based on the funding availability and development priority (public funds or donor agency funds) the project may be in the pipeline for several years without much happening. Alternatively if a funding agency or company is available the development proposal has to be approved by Ministry of Planning and Development. If an EIA is required for the development the proponent follows the guidelines in the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation of Maldives (EIA Regulations, 2007). This EIA report is based on the TOR approved by MEEW after the scoping meeting held on 4th October 2007. A Decision Note statement after the evaluation of the EIA determines the conditions to proceed or reject the proposed development.

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5.2 Community Consultations / Stakeholder Meetings

Consultation with the Island Development Committee (IDC) was held during two site visits made to the islands. Members of the island development committee were informed about the process of EIA and the government regulations on Environmental Protection. The IDC and the Katheeb of Thurakunu were also consulted on the design of the harbour that was based on the technical assessment of the site conditions. The initial layout of the harbour was discussed among the members of IDC and their comments on the usage of the harbour, particularly the inclusion of a passenger jetty at the quay designated for passengers was an addition to the harbour layout as a result of community consultation.

The members of the IDC have been informed about the inevitable environmental impacts of such a development. In addition to the physical data used for the design and location of the harbour members of the island community were consulted on the patterns of beach change and hydrodymic pattern around the island. Therefore the decision on the location of the harbour was very much based on the public consultation as well as the physical surveys at the site.

The island office as per the advice of the IDC have also informed the relevant Government Ministries including Ministry of Atolls Development and Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure on the source of finance for this project and the basic design of the project (Annex 6). The Ministry of Atolls Development were also present in the scoping meeting held at ERC for this EIA.

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6 Existing Environment

6.1 General Setting

The Maldives is an archipelago of islands in 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 Lacadive- Chagos ridge. The archipelago comprises 25 atolls (Naseer, 2004) grouped into 20 administrative units (Figure 2). The 25 atolls that comprise the Maldives archipelago contain more than 1,200 reef islands, the formation of which is poorly understood. Maldivian islands exist in a predominantly storm-free environment with the process regime marked by strong seasonal reversals in monsoon winds from the west and northeast that govern short-term changes in island shorelines (Kench et al., 2003). Maldives experiences two major seasons: the southwest monsoon (SW monsoon, the wet season) and northeast monsoon (NE monsoon, the dry season). The SW monsoon occurs from May through October and the NE monsoon is from December through March. April and November are transition periods for the respective monsoons. The atolls are separated by east-west running deeper channels. The atolls vary in shape from circular and oval to elliptical. 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 100 m while some passages are over few hundred meters wide.

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Figure 2 Location of Maldives in the western Indian Ocean

6.2 Geographic location and general setting of Thuraakunu

The reef system accommodating the island of Thuraakunu has an area of approximately 0.738 km2. The reef flat on the northern and western side is shallower than the reef flat on the southern side of the island. A large surf zone is built on the north and the western side of the island.

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Figure 3 Geographic location of Thuraakunu

6.3 Climatology

6.3.1 Rain and Temperature

Climatic factors are the most important components that influence the physical shaping of the atoll reef based island in the Maldives, with the alternating south west and northeast monsoons being the main characteristic of the Maldivian climate. Climate data was collected from Department of Meteorology in Airport. Data from 1992 to 2001 obtained at the Airport at show that the annual mean maximum temperature was relatively constant during this period at around 30.5 °C (Figure 4). With an average of 1840 mm of rain per year, the northern part of the Maldives experiences less amount of rain compared to the central and southern parts. The rainfall averages elsewhere are 1940 mm in Hulhule, 2320.7 mm in Kadhdhoo and 2373.4 mm in Addu Gan. The records from Hanimadhoo show that the number of rainy days (days with more than 0.3 mm of rainfall) is also comparatively lower than in the central and southern atolls. With 134 days of rain in average, this compares favourably to the 154 days recorded in Hulhule, the 158 days from Kadhdhoo and the 164 days in Addu Gan.

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Mean Climatic Data For Hanimaadhoo - 1992-2001

2500 90 80 2000 70 Pressure 60 C 1500 ˚ Rainfall 50 Ralative Humidity 40 1000 Max Temperature mm, pHa

30 %, Temp Min Temperature 500 20 10 0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Years

Figure 4 Mean climatic data for from 1992 to 2001

6.3.2 Wind Climate and Oceanography

The climate of the Maldives is divided into two distinct seasons the south-west monsoon and the north-east monsoon. But sometimes the locals described them as four seasons including the changeover of the seasons. These seasons are marked by very different characteristics of wind and rainfall patterns. These four seasons are (Table 2) the NE monsoon described as the dry period, the transition period from NE to SW monsoon (Hulangu Halha), the SW monsoon known as the wet season and the transition period from the SW to NE monsoon (Iruvai Halha).

Table 2 The four seasons experienced in the Maldives.

Season Month

December NE-Monsoon January February Transition Period 1 March April May June SW-Monsoon July August September Transition Period 2 October November

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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).

An analysis on the wind climatology is studied for Hanimaadhoo on 16 years of data from 1991 – 2006. Considering the distribution shown by all the seasons (the very bottom wind rose diagram in Figure 5) it can be seen that most of the wind energy is dominated by the west and northwest quadrant throughout the year. The most striking feature shown is that there is almost no wind coming from the south and south easterly sectors.

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Figure 5 Wind speed and direction distribution at Hanimaadhoo at various seasons.

Analyzing the data for the four seasons, it indicates that during the NE monsoon the wind direction predominantly varies between N and E with wind speed reaching as high as 5 – 10 knots for 16% of the time. About 4% of the time speed reaches as high as 10 – 15 knots. During the transition from NE to SW monsoon the predominant direction changes to N and NW directions with speeds of 5 – 10 knots for 12% of the time. During the SW monsoon and the transition from SW to NE monsoon the wind is distinctly from W and NW directions. High wind speeds of 15 – 20 knots are observed for 10% of the period and wind speeds of 10 – 15 knots are observed for 23% of the time (for a detail analysis on the wind, refer to the functional design and preliminary structural design notes in Annex 1)

Though a gust wind of more than 50 miles per hour may occur for less than a minute, analysis shows the mean winds in the region hardly reach 50 miles per hour throughout the year. The graph (Figure 6, left) below shows the wind more than 20 miles per hour hardly reach 5% and less than 10 miles per hour falls on the range 100-50%. This clearly indicated that the possibilities of occurrence of waves associated to high winds are less.

Figure 6 Percent of wind occurrences and number of days with a particular wind speed.

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The second graph indicates (Figure 6, right) that the wind speeds more than 20 miles per hour does not occur more the 10 days out of 365 days of the year.

From the above wind roses (Figure 5), it can be concluded the region where Thuraakunu is situated is highly affected by the monsoon transition. The wind also oscillated between west and east throughout year. But it is also found that the wind is mostly coming from west to north and north to west. It barely goes to the southwest and southeast sector.

Figure 7 Percent of wind occurrences and number of days with a particular wind speed.

The wind direction graph indicates that approximately 10% winds blow in the north to west sector and up to 4% comes from the north to east direction and less than 2% are from southerly direction (Figure 7). This evidently puts Thuraakunu in the position that its harbour must be constructed in the southern side of the island to avoid the affects of wind generated waves.

6.3.2.1 Tide

Tides experienced in the Maldives are mixed semi-diurnal and diurnal with a strong diurnal inequality. The tide station at Hanimaadhoo Airport has continuous records of tide for over the past 12 years. Due to close proximity of the permanent tide station at Hanimaadhoo Airport it was assumed that the tidal signal at Hanimaadhoo will be the same as that at Thuraakunu. The spectral analysis of the Hanimaadhoo tide signal (figure 8) shows two prominent peaks. The peaks at 12 hours and the peak at 24 hours correspond to semi-diurnal and diurnal tides respectively (for a detail analysis of the tides (refer to the functional design and preliminary structural design notes in Annex 1). The maximum tidal range recorded at

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this tide station is 1.54m. The highest astronomical tide level from mean sea level is +0.56 m and the lowest astronomical tide level from mean sea level is -0.74 m. Table below summarizes the tide signal recorded at Hanimaadhoo tide station for the period 1991 to 2002. Figure 9 shows the variation of the tide at Hanimaadhoo.

Figure 8 Spectral density analysis of tide data from Hanimaadhoo indicating the main tidal constituents

Table 3 Table summarizing tide levels at Hanimadhoo, Hdh atoll

Tide Level Water level reference to mean sea level (m)

Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) 0.56 Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) 0.26 Mean Lower High Water (MLHW) 0.06 Mean Sea Level (MSL) 0 Mean Higher Low Water (MHLW) -0.34 Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) -0.54

Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) -0.74 Maximum Tidal Range 1.32

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Figure 9 Tidal profile for year 2002 at Hanimaadhoo

6.3.2.2 Waves

Information on the waves around Maldives is very limited. Therefore no studies have been found to be done for Thuraakunu. But wave climatology is a crucial factor in determining the location and designing of a harbour. Since Maldives experiences mostly wind driven waves, wind data has been used to determine the wave heights and wave periods near Thuraakunu (Figure 10). Since Thuraakunu is on the northernmost rim of the Atoll, oceanic swells and surf waves are experienced on the northern side of the island.

Figure 10 Significant wave height at Hanimaadhoo

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Figure 10 shows the significant wave height (Hs) calculated using the wind and its distribution. The analysis reveals that the maximum wave height obtained during the analysis period (1992 – 2006) is 1.7m with a period (Tm) of 13.6 S. It also shows that about 12% of the waves are coming from the WNW direction and is less than 0.4 m and the period is of order 7 seconds. The maximum wave height obtained during the SW monsoon is 1.68m corresponding to a period of 13.63s and during the NE monsoon it is 0.97m with a period of 10.36s. It is worthwhile to consider the chances that we can expect a certain significant wave height in a given year. The Figure 11 shows the exceedance probability of the significant wave heights. In general, it could be seen that the chances of getting high significant wave heights are very low. The probability of obtaining significant wave heights of greater than 0.1m is less than 50% (for details of the waves analysis refer to the functional design and preliminary structural design notes in Annex 1).

Figure 11 Chances of getting high significant wave heights are low.

Even though the predominant direction of the wind is from west-to-east direction, it is vital to keep in mind the refractive property of the waves. The winds waves which approach the island from the northwest and northeast direction will refract when the wave hits the shallower region surrounding the island as reef and lagoon, which subject the waves to a shoaling effect changing the direction of the waves. The wave fronts meeting the shallow regions of the west and east tends to curl in towards the southern side of the island.

6.3.2.3 Current

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The currents which affect Thuraakunu can be expected to be tidal currents, wind-induced currents, wave induced currents and or oceanic currents. Available data indicates that wind driven currents are the dominant form of currents around Thuraakunu as is the case for the other islands of the Maldives. Wave induced currents in the form of over washing, and in some locations long shore currents due to waves breaking on the reefs, also affect the current regime. As seen above since the tidal range is very small, the tidal currents have a very small role on the overall current patterns within the reefs and around the islands. Tidal component of the current is generally eastward during the flood tide and westward during the ebb tide (Figure 12).

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Figure 12 Current patterns studied at the harbour area by drogue tracks (30s interval readings)

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6.4 Beach Environment

Despite the fact that Thuraakunu is an inhabited island, the beaches around the island are beautiful and clean. The southern beaches are wider than the northern side beaches. Several transect around the island were studied (see Figure 13). Central area at the southern side has a large sand spit, possibly due to the refracted swells converging and pushing the sediment to the central area. The reef slope at this area is also sand, apart from few coral and rock outcrops.

Figure 13 Positions of the bench marks and the locations of transects.

The cross sectional profile along the island (Figure 14) from the south end (TH_PR1) to north (TH_PR2) revels that the island has a general slope of 0.0025 from the south towards the northern side of the island in its natural formation. The maximum height observed is 3.34 m above MSL on the southern side and that observed on the northern end is 2.95 m above MSL.

At the south of the island, a large sand pit is found which oscillates west to east seasonally. It is found to be at the proposed location of the harbour during the SW monsoon, which was during the study period. According to the observations by the community, the farthest this bulk of sand move during the SW monsoon is up till where the western wall of the harbour

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would be built up. During the NE monsoon, it is found to be further to the west at about where the primary bench mark (TH_PR1) is located. Approximately the volume of this sand pit would be 23751 m3. The volume is calculated using the length of the sand pit and the transect profiles along the sand pit.

Figure 14 A shallow gradient is observed from the south to the northern end of the island.

At the proposed location of the harbour, the beach area is narrow. The profiles, (see Figure 15) indicates that the beach toe is about 35 m from the vegetation on the western side of the harbour and about 2.5 m lower than the vegetation. The beach toe on the east of the harbour is 8 m from the vegetation and is about 1.8 m below the vegetation (Figure 16). Wave action throughout the year is experienced at this location. Waves approaching the eastern side get refracted and turn in due to the shoaling effect towards the harbour location. But the energy of these waves would be extensively reduced, due to the surf zone on the eastern side. This continuous wave motion for a long time has caused the beach to get eroded at this location. Erosion scarps of height approximately 0.5 m are found at this location. The beach around this area is dominated by white sand and with rare amounts of rubbles of coral since the wave action is less on this side of the island.

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Figure 15 Profile along the western side of the proposed location of harbour.

Figure 16 Profile along the eastern side of the proposed location of harbour. More shallow and being eroded by wave action.

Figure 17 depicts a profile along the sand pit at the time of the study period. The beach toe lies approximately at 80 m from the vegetation and there are no steep gradients observed. But considering the profiles along the bench marks at TBM1 and TBM2 (see Figure 13), berm steps and very steep gradients of approximately 0.25 is observed. A plausible reason for this steeper gradient would be: due to the seasonal oscillation of the sand pit, it resides along these profiles during the NE monsoon. And during the SW monsoon, a large volume of sand is “dug away” and transferred to the location where it is found at the time of the study period. This creates a large deficit on the volume of sand present during the NE monsoon thereby creating a large slope along the beach. Same phenomena would be observed if the study is to repeat during the NE monsoon. Steeper gradients would be observed where the sand pit is found during the SW monsoon.

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Figure 17 Profile along the sand pit during the SW monsoon.

On the south eastern part of the island along the bench marks TBM14 to TBM16 several berm steps (see Figure 18, left) have been formed and coastal erosion is observed. Waves experienced on the western side during the two monsoons gets curved in towards the south western bay like area. The berm steps indicate that the wave action is experienced in this region for a long time, accumulating the sand on the shore at several distances. Further to the west, high levels of beach erosion (see Figure 18, right) are seen due to prolong strong wave action. Few amounts of beach rock and rubbles of coral are observed on the foreshore.

Figure 18 Several berm steps (left) and high erosion scarps (right) are formed on the south eastern part of the island.

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As indicated above, throughout the year wind is observed westerly and in north westerly directions. Due to this, the most energetic waves are experienced on this side forming elevated berms. A shallow reef flat is found on this side and the beach is heavily dominated by rubbles of large dead corals.

Figure 19 On the northern side, foreshore is described by sea grass and beach rock.

Figure 19 depicts a profile along the northern side of the island. In general, the beach along the northern shore is narrower and approximately 4 – 5 m in width. A large surf zone of about 80 – 100 m in width helps to reduce the amount of wave energy felt on the shore by the wind and swell waves from the Indian and the Arabian Sea. Due to this wave energy, the foreshore along the northern coast is dominated by beach rock. Since the surf zone is a well mixed zone, near coast is inhabited by sea grass.

The most evident type of vegetation around the island composes of plants which can endure high levels of salinity salt spray and wind. In addition to this, these plants play a major role in reducing the amount of beach erosion. These include Pandanus tectorus (Boakashikeyo), Scaevola taccada (Magoo) and Phempis acidula (Kuredhi). The figure 20-23 shows the southern, northern and the western beaches of Thuraakunu.

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Figure 20 Sandy beach is observed at the southern side of the island, but the eastern and western ends are more of shingle nature.

Figure 21 Narrow and shingle beach is observed at north western and eastern beach, while the northern central beach is sandy

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Figure 22 Western side corner of Thuraakunu, composed of shingle and rocky beach

6.5 Marine surveys

Marine surveys in the vicinity of the harbour including the coral reef, sea grass community and seawater quality assessment was carried out in defined location (Table 4). The general location of the surveys and sampling with respect to GPS coordinates are given in Figure 23.

Table 4 Location of the marine surveys (GPS coordinates). SW 1 is seawater sampling site 1.

Location Latitude Longitude Reef site RF 1 N 07° 06′ 11˝ E 72° 54′ 07˝ Reef site RF 2 N 07° 06′ 07˝ E 72° 54′ 12˝ Reef site RF 3 N 07° 06′ 18˝ E 72° 53′ 47˝ Seawater sampling 1 N 07° 06′ 08˝ E 72° 54′ 10˝

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0 10 3 5 340 2 0 0 30 33 4 0 0 32

5 0 0 1 3

6 0 0 0 3

7 0 0 9 2

0 0 8

0 6

1 0

2 4

0 2

0 3

1 0

4 2

0 2

1 0

0 5 1

1 6 0 0

0 2

7 1 1 0 9 0

HA. THURAAKUNU 27 OCTOBER 2007

0 50 100m Reef survey locations

Seawater sampling location

Figure 23 General location of marine surveys with respect to the harbour basin

6.5.1. Coral community

The reef of Thuraakunu similar to most of the reefs in Maldives was severely impacted during the 1998 mass coral bleaching event. Reef recovery at Thuraakunu is relatively slow similar to the reefs in northern atoll Maldives. Visual assessment of the reef showed considerable numbers of portes colonies, branching and tabulate Acropora majority of which are new growths on the reef since the severe bleaching incident almost 10 years ago.

Coral cover in the Reef monitoring site (RF 1) was less than 3% (Figure 24). Abiotic substrate accounted for 70% of the benthic substrate; sand (35%) and rock (36%). Large proportion of sand and rock as reef substrate appear to be due to the large volume of sand that shifts along the shoreline due to the monsoonal effects on the shoreline. Only three coral genera was recorded at this site (Figure 25). These include acroporids (52%), Goniastrea (25%) and Pocillopora (13%).

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100 90 80 70 60 50

% cover 40 30 20 10 0 SAND ROCK CORAL SPONGE BIVALVIA TUNICATA OTHER LIVE TURF ALGAE SOFT CORAL ZOANTHARIAN MACRO ALGAE CORAL RUBBLE CORALLINACEA BLEACHED CORAL BROKEN CORAL COLONY

Figure 24 Benthic community at reef site (RF 1). Error bars are standard error of means.

Poccilopora 13%

Acropora spec branching 37%

Goniastrea 25%

Acropora spec table 25%

Figure 25 Generic composition of live coral community at RF 1. Note that the Acropora are grouped into Acropora branching and Acropora tabulate.

Coral cover in the Reef monitoring site (RF 2) was 18% (Figure 26). Abiotic substrate accounted for 75% of the benthic substrate; Turf algae (15%) and rock (60%). Large proportion of rock as reef substrate appear to be due to the large volume of sand that shifts along the shoreline due to the monsoonal effects on the shoreline. This site is also adjacent to the area proposed for harbour basin (RF 1). Although adjacent to the RF 1, this site has higher

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number of coral genera (11 genera). The coral community is dominated by acroporids (56%) where Acropora branching colonies are predominant (Figure 27).

100

50 % cover 40

0 SAND ROCK CORAL RUBBLE SPONGE CORAL BIVALVIA TUNICATA BLEACHED OTHER LIVE COLONY TURF ALGAE SOFT CORAL ZOANTHARIAN MACRO ALGAE MACRO CORALLINACEA BROKEN CORAL BROKEN

Figure 26 Benthic community at reef site (RF 2). Error bars are standard error of means.

Porites massive 9% Poccilopora 6% Pavona 4% Montipora Acropora spec 4% branching Leptoria 42% 2% Goniastrea 4% Favites 7% Cyphastrea 2% Astreopora 6% Acropora spec table 14%

Figure 27 Generic composition of live coral community at RF 1. Note that the Acropora are grouped into Acropora branching and Acropora tabulate

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Coral cover in the Reef monitoring site (RF 3) was less than 1 % (Figure 28). Abiotic substrate accounted for 34% of the benthic substrate; Rubble (5%) sand (12%) and rock (17%). Nearshore the dominant substrate recorded was 2 species of sea grasses. Among these Thallasia henprichii (58%) was the dominant community while Syringodium sp (8%) were more or less mixed with Thallasia meadows.

Site 3 is also featured as an inter tidal reef flat. During low tide the outer part gets exposed, with rock out crops dominated with turf algae. Due to this exposure there is very little live coral growth. Near- shore, inter- tidal pools with intermittent sea grass pastures provides shelter for several species of fishes and benthic organisms such as bivalves, gastropods etc.

100

50 % Cover 40

0 CORAL SAND CORAL ROCK MACRO TURF UNKNOWN Thallasia Syringodium RUBBLE ALGAE ALGAE CORAL hemprichii sp

Figure 28 Benthic community at reef site (RF 3). Error bars are standard error of means.

6.5.2. Reef fish community

The reef fish community at the reef survey sites during the time of the sampling differed significantly. Site 1 consisted of 10 families, 17 genera and 21 species (Table 5). The most dominant families are Acanthurids, Pomacentrids and Labrids (Table 6). Majority of the reef grazers are among these three families. Among the Acanthurids Acanthurus leucosternon, Acanthurus triostegus and Ctenachaetus striatus were observed to be dominant, while Pomacentrus indicus was dominant representing the family Pomacentridae. Other reef grazers such as scarids are also present at the site but in low abundance. The least abundant fish family was Kyphosidae with only 3 individuals of one species. The abundance of butterfly fishes is low at the sites. Only 5 species were encountered during the fish survey.

41 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Site 2 consisted of 12 families, 18 genera and 35 species (Table 7). Therefore the diversity of fish is greater that that of site 1 which also corresponds to the higher coral diversity and cover at site 2 compared to site 1. The most dominant fish species at site 2 are given in Table 8.

Food fishes are low in abundance at the monitoring sites. Only few families of commercially exploited reef fishes such as lethrinids, serranids and lutjanids were recorded (Table 5 and 7).

Table 5 Fish community structure at the Reef survey site RF1

Family Abundance (no.) Total no. of species Acanthuridae 34 3 Pomacanthidae 43 5 Labridae 51 6 Chaetodontidae 1 1 Mullidae 7 1 Balistidae 5 1 Scaridae 3 1 Tetraodontidae 16 1 Kyphosidae 3 1 Lethrinidae 5 1

Table 6 Dominant fish community at the Reef survey site RF1

Family Species Acanturidae Acanthurus leucosternon Acanthurus triostegus Ctenachaetus striatus Pomacentridae Pomacentrus Nagasakiensis Pomacentrus indicus Pomacentrus caeruleus Chrysiptera brownriggii Labridae Halichoeres hortulanus Halichoeres cosmetus Halichoeres vrolikii Thalassoma amblycephalum Thalassoma hardwicke Thalassoma quinquevittatum

42 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Table 7 Fish density at the sampling site RF 2.

Family Count Number of species Acanthuridae 78 5 Pomacanthidae 65 6 Labridae 89 7 Chaetodontidae 32 3 Mullidae 8 2 Balistidae 14 2 Scaridae 21 3 Serranidae 9 2 Holocentridae 6 1 Zanclidae 12 1 Lutjanidae 12 2 Synodontidae 12 1

Table 8 Dominant fish community at the Reef survey site RF2

Family Species Acanthuridae Acanthurus leucosternon Acanthurus striatus Acanthurus triostegus Acanthurus lineatus Ctenochaetus striatus Pomacentridae Chrysiptera brownriggii Pomacentrus indicus Pomacentrus pavo Pomacentrus chrysurus Pomacentrus nagasakiensis Chrysiptera biocellata Labridae Halichoeres hortulanus Halichoeres vrolikii Halichoeres leucoxanthus Thalassoma amblycephalum Thalassoma hardwicke Labroides dimidiatus Halichoeres cosmetus Chaetodontidae Chaetodon flavissimus Chaetodon auriga Chaetodon citrinellus

6.5.3 Seawater quality

The condition or quality of coastal water is important for ecological functioning of the organisms living in the habitat, for health and safety reasons and also for visual and aesthetic

43 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

impacts. The water quality is generally determined by the level of nutrients. There are several sources that can lead to increased nutrients in coastal waters, e.g. sewage effluents, terrestrial storm water run off. Sediment stirrup can also lead to release of nutrients within the sediments especially when there is large scale excavation and dredging involved.

The most important nutrients of concern in costal waters are nitrates and phosphates. In excessive quantities these can cause rapid growth of phytoplankton and result in algal blooms. Visual quality of the water is also important, a beach environment is much more attractive when the water is clean and one can see the sea bottom. However, even clear water may some times be polluted. Dredging and excavation often carry heavy load of sediments increasing sediment load in the water column causing discoloration of the of the impact area for a prolonged period.

It is worthwhile to note here that there is no direct input source of nutrients in the coastal waters as a result of the proposed activities but rather a potential release of nutrients associated with dredging or excavation. Therefore the purpose of the assessment of water quality is to establish a baseline for the seawater quality, take as a standard to compare with any future water quality assessments. A list of parameters tested and their values for water sampling location is given in Table 9. Ammonia is recorded as zero and phosphate levels are low which the typical values in natural unpolluted seawater are less that. It is also worth to note that the turbidity values for both locations are below 0 NTU indicating good visibility at the sampling locations. BOD was recoded as 5.45. The relatively high level of BOD in the water sample may be a result of stirrup of sediments that in turn release nutrients within these sediments. It was observed during the field survey that the large sand spit along the southern shoreline of the island is gradually shifting due to monsoonal wind change. Dissolved oxygen is within the range of adequately oxygenated water as of WHO standards.

Table 9 Seawater quality parameter at the sampling location in the reef at S. Maradhoo. Data analysis was carried out by the National Health Laboratory, Maldives Food and Drug Authority. Report number NHL/RE/WC 1985

Parameters Sample1 (adjacent to the harbour basin) pH 7.3 Turbidity 0 NTU Nitrate(mg/l) 1.33 Nitrite (mg/l) 0.007 Phosphate (mg/l) 0.04 Ammonia (mg/l) 0

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Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 5.1 Sulphate (mg/l) 3550 Suspended solids (mg/l) 2 Salinity (mg/l) 35600 Biological Oxygen demand (mg/l) 5.45

6.6 Hazard Vulnerability, area vulnerable to flooding and storm surge

Hazard vulnerability of Thuraakunu is assessed based on the literature available and field data collection. The report prepared by the UNDP on disaster risk assessment of Maldives states that the Thuraakunu region falls in to high risk category in terms of tsunami risk (Figure 29). The Thuraakunu falls in to category 5, which is the highest scale given in the risk assessment. Although this may be the case the impact on Thuraakunu during the 2004 tsunami event is minor to moderate.

45 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Figure 29 Tsunami hazard zones, category 5 is the highest risk zone while 1 is the lowest (figure derived from UNDP report on Disaster risk profile for Maldives November 2006)

Hazardous weather systems, other than general monsoons (heavy rain and strong winds) that affect Maldives are Tropical Storms (tropical cyclone) and Severe Local Storms (thunder storms/thunder squalls).Tropical cyclones are extreme weather events with positive and negative consequences. At times, these are very destructive due to associated strong winds (often exceeding 150 kmph), heavy rainfall (often exceeding 30 to 40 cm in 24 hours) and storm tides (often exceeding 4 to 5 meters). Strong winds can damage structures, houses, communication systems, roads, bridges and vegetation. Heavy rainfall can cause serious flooding. Storm surge is a sudden rise of sea level elevation along the coast caused by cyclonic winds. Sea level also rises twice daily due to astronomical reasons. The combined effect of surge and tide is knows as storm tide. Storm tides can cause catastrophe in low lying areas, flat coast and island territories such as Maldives.

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Islands of Maldives are also affected by severe local storms (thunder storms/thunder squalls). Hazards associated with thunderstorms are strong winds (often exceeding 100kmph), heavy rainfall, lightning and hail. They give birth to tornadoes in some preferred regions (other than equatorial regions). In general thunderstorms are more frequent in equatorial region compared to other areas (Figure 30). Land areas get more thunder storms compared to open ocean areas. However, thunderstorms close to the equator are less violent compared to those of other parts of tropics and extra-tropics. Maldives being close to the equator thunderstorms are quite frequent here but are less violent. Strong winds generated by severe local storms consequently generate larger wind driven waves, which are hazardous to the islands of the Maldives.

Figure 30 Track of severe storms affecting Maldives during 1877-2004

The Thuraakunu falls in to category 5, which is the highest scale given in the risk assessment of cyclones or storms (see Figure 31). The major zones affecting are the mid and northern parts of the Maldives.

47 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Figure 31 Cyclone Hazard Zoning (source: UNDP report on Disaster risk profile for Maldives November 2006)

Bathymetry around Maldives shows that the ocean slope close to east coast is steep compared to the same on the west coast. This led us to conclude that eastern islands of Maldives are vulnerable to higher surge hazard compared to western islands. Thuraakunu region falls in to zone 5 (highest risk zone) in the cyclone hazard zoning categories (Figure 32).

48 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Figure 32 Surge hazard zones (source: UNDP report on Disaster risk profile for Maldives November 2006)

The Profiles taken at Thuraakunu shows that the island level is higher at the southern side while lowest at the northern side of the island (see Figure 14). This is most probably due to the wave wash up experienced at the southern side; while the northern side shore experiences decomposed swell waves (breaking at he northern reef flat (outer atoll side). Thuraakunu is generally dominated by the shoreline vegetation and no marshy or mangrove areas are observed (in general these type areas are lower line on comparison to rest of the island). The lower level at the northern side of the island cause natural draining.

Based on these finding, Thuraakunu has probability of high impact of tsunami, storm surge and cyclones. Therefore proper procedures should be in place (disaster management program).

6.7 Social Environment

Ha Alif atoll consist of 42 islands, from which only 14 are inhabited and three islands (Medhafushi, Alidhoo and Dhonakulhi) are been developed as resort island and several resorts are under development. Thuraakunu is located approximately 330 km North of Male, and the administrative centre of the atoll is Dhidhdhoo. Nearest islands to Thuraakunu are Uligam and Huvarafushi on the east and south respectively. Total area of Thuraakunu is approximately 22

49 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

hectares. Total population of Thuraakunu is 640 as of March 2007. The total population of Ha Alif atoll is approximately 19500.

Thuraakunu is a predominantly fishing island, with 2 larger fishing vessels, 7 troll dhonis (sail vadhu dhoni). There is a transport boats used as cargo vessels that travel to other atolls and to Male’. Been at the northern most point of the Maldives, the small size of the island, Thuraakunu has not been considered as a economic development centre is island. The major population and economic centres of the atoll are Dhidhdhoo (administrative capital), Huvarafushi (major fishing island) and Ihavandhoo (fishing island). In addition to the small population the geographic setting of the island at the northern periphery of the atoll is highly exposed to oceanic and wind generated waves. This makes the shoreline extremely rough with a small window of calm lagoon associated with monsoonal winds. Therefore, the islanders are always faced with difficulty of not having a safe mooring for fishing and other types of vessels.

As a result, the community has been looking forward to develop a safe harbour either through public financing or private funding. The opportunity to develop a harbour through private funding has been very well received and the community has high aspiration for the project to come true. It is expected through the development of the harbour, a window of opportunities for socio-economic development of the island to come, through added exposure and access to the island.

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7 Environmental Impacts

7.1 Impact Identification

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 island development Committee, 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 (Table 10).

Table 10 Impact prediction Categorized

Impact Description Reversible/irreversible Cumulative category impacts Negligible the impact has no significant risk to Reversible no environment either short term or long term Minor the impact is short term and cause Reversible no very limited risk to the environment Moderate Impacts give rise to some concern, Reversible May or may may cause long term environmental not problems but are likely short term and acceptable Major- impact is long term, large scale Reversible and Irreversible Yes, mitigation environmental risk measures has to be addressed

Since the project is a new development, major impacts envisaged are impacts to terrestrial environment and marine environment due to various components of the construction phase. The directly impacted area during construction phase (dredging and reclamation) at the reef system is approximately 2.5% of the total reef area of Thuraakunu reef system. While the direct impact area on land (in terms of vegetation clearance, irreversible impact) is 0.79% of the total inside vegetation (this includes vegetation clearance for harbour facilities and access road to closest road).

The severity of impacts is predicted by reviewing the design plans and construction methodologies and resources exposed to the impact. Impact categorisation and their

51 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

magnitudes are given in the impact matrix (Table 11). Mitigation measures are formulated in light of the information revealed by the project architects (vegetation clearance method, Sheet piling method, excavation method and equipment or machinery used).

7.2 Limitation or uncertainty of impact prediction

Uncertainty of impact prediction are mainly due to the lack of long term data (shoreline, local currents and wave climate), Inherent complexity of ecosystem (reef environment, habitat and terrestrial environment although in a lesser extent) and lack of coordinated monitoring programs with inconsistent methodologies which can be used to predict outcomes or reliability of predictions of previous projects.

The impacts are predicted by reviewing the survey data collected during the field visits and information revealed by the designers and engineers. The data collected during the field visit is limited to a week or more days, which limits the overall understanding of even the short term environmental conditions (wave condition, currents, and littoral movement).

The time limitation of EIA field data collection and report preparation is also a hindrance to properly understanding the environmental factors dictating the conditions of the habitat. The wind and tide data are based on Hanimadhoo climatic data, which may not be the most accurate data for analysis of Thuraakunu some 50km away.

7.3 Construction Impacts

Any development work involving excavation or dredging will have major impacts on reef, lagoon and coastal hydrodynamics. The Impacts of excavation 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. Potential direct or indirect impacts on the environment (on land and reef system) from the proposed works are limited to relatively small number of activities, these include:

• Excavation works at the harbour basin and entrance channel • Physical damage to the reef during loading and unloading (equipment and heavy machinery mobilization) using barges • Direct loss of habitat and disturbance to the lagoon bottom and reef flat area by construction works at lagoon (harbour wall construction). • Loss of vegetation due to clearing vegetation for creating space for harbour access and harbour front.

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• Impact on lagoon environment by the reclamation or dredged material disposal at the northern side of the island

7.3.1 Schedule, logistics and loading and unloading construction materials

All construction materials will be transported to the site on cargo dhonis and barges, and unloaded at the southern side beach area. Excavators will be used to clear the vegetation just in front of the harbour for stockpiling of material (armour rock, filter stones, sheet pile…etc). Impacts arising due to mobilization and unloading of materials include;

• Anchor damage by vessels mooring for material unloading • Accidental spillage of construction materials (cement bags, rocks) • Accidental oil spills (used for excavators and other heavy machinery) • Vegetation loss (vegetation cleared to make access to islands road and clearance for harbour front)

Part of the existing football ground (just behind the harbour area) and the area cleared at the harbour front will be used for temporary storage of materials. The workforce for the proposed project is expected to be approximately 10-15 personnel (labourers and heavy machinery operators). All workers will be accommodated in existing residential houses.

7.3.2 Construction materials and solid waste

Transportation of construction materials such as cement, timber, plywood, sheet pile, armour rocks 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.

The major out put of the project, the dredge material will be disposed at the north western side of the island (see Figure 1). Disposing dredge material at the shoreline would have irreversible impacts on the near shore habitat. The disposal of dredge material at these sites

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may have a short term positive impact, but in the long term the possible change in coastal hydrodynamics at the area will dictate the erosion and accretion. But since the reclamation area will follow the existing shape of the shoreline, impacts arising would be minimal. Also it has to be noted that wave action at the northern side reef (outer atoll side) generates currents towards the shore (north to south) and at the western corner and southern corner the waves wrap around pushing the sediment or shingles (see figure 22).

Solid waste due to the proposed project is minimal, these include, empty lube oil cans, filters excess metal and packing materials.

7.3.3 Impacts due to construction methods

Since excavators will be used for the deepening works, sedimentation is inevitable and this is an impact that will be unavoidable. Even if a sand bund wall is made initially before dredging the harbour basin, sedimentation or suspension of fine sediment will be unavoidable. Although it is unavoidable the impacts will be short termed. The strong currents (predominant current during NE monsoon is east to west) experience at the channels and reef system will ensure dispersal or removal of fine sediment from the area. It is possible that fines will be transported to the central area of the southern side due the wave condition. Therefore sedimentation impacts maybe experienced at this area indirectly. Since live coral cover is very low at the immediate (harbour basin area) and indirect impact areas (southern side) impacts due to sedimentation will be moderate. The presence of turf algae at the immediate project area and indirect impact area (southern side) 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, - reduces 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

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Construction of wharfs and protection walls will be done using armour rock layers; sediment removed from the excavation works will be used for back filling work. Back filling work will be carried out by using excavator. The initial bund wall created will act as back filling; sheet piling will be done inside the harbour, while rock layer will be laid out side. Bund wall is made in the first place to minimise sedimentation but still this also will cause sedimentation due to the wave action. This impact could have chronic impacts on the very few live coral observed at the area. But since the currents will be considerably strong during NE monsoon, impacts are envisaged to be minor and short termed.

The harbour entrance channel wall construction will involve use of excavator, trampling of live coral is possible. But since the out entrance area is relative deep, excavator will be operated on barge. At the harbour basin side, the excavator may be operated on the lagoon bed, but since very few live coral is observed impacts will be minimal.

7.3.4 Impact on vegetation

Only minor impacts are envisaged on vegetation during the construction phase of the project. Trampling of vegetation by heavy trucks during disposal of dredge material can cause damage and loss of vegetation. To Transport dredge material to the north western side of the island the trucks have to be driven across the island and on to the northern shoreline. Existing roads will be used during this work; but a small area has to be cleared at the harbour front to make access to the islands roads. At this area dominant shoreline vegetation observed is Magoo and Dhiggaa. Few coconut trees are also observed.

Impacts on vegetation due to salt seepage from dredge material will be minor since the shoreline vegetation are salt tolerant.

7.3.5 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 (northern central beach) during either monsoon

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• Sedimentation or increased turbidity due to movement of sediment around the structure (harbour walls or protection walls), which intern reduces light penetration, which has a direct effect on zooxanthellae photosynthesis and thus the net productivity of corals • Loss of vegetation due to erosion • 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 sea water quality due to turbidity

7.3.6 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 and trucks. Construction noise at Thuraakunu will be dictated by the predominant wind direction. As the Dredging works will be finished first, estimated time of completion within two months, this falls on early march (NE monsoon). Therefore wind direction will be form north east or north. The major residential area of the island is situated at the western parts of the island; therefore noise pollution will be minor. Dredging will be carried out during low tide; therefore noise level will not be sustained through out the day.

Transport of dredge material to the northern side of the island by trucks will have noise pollution. Since existing roads at the central area (which is the shortest route from the project site to the north side) will be used, residence at this area will face noise pollution. Public safety has to be considered and prior to the commencement of works the population of Thuraakunu has to be informed.

Air pollution due to the project will be mainly due to operation of heavy machinery like excavator, trucks and boats. But in since use of heavy machinery will be limited to a short period of time; impacts are envisaged to be minor.

7.3.7 Effects on Groundwater Quality

Impact to groundwater due to the proposed project is minimal. The reclamation or sediment disposal site is located at the northern lagoon. No dredged material will be disposed at land. The areas near the shoreline and reclamation boundary may be affected, but it will be short termed. Over time fresh water lens would regenerate at this area.

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7.4 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 (short to long term impact) - possible impacts due to accidental spillage of oil (by boats 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 - accidental spillage of waste - possible erosion problems at the southern side and in the long term to possible alteration of hydrodynamic regime of the area and obstruction of near shore currents by coastal structures - loss of vegetation due to erosion (long term impact which is a cumulative impacts arising from the obstruction and alteration of hydrodynamic regime)

7.4.1 Impact to hydrodynamic patterns

Analysis of wind data revealed that most of the wind energy comes from north westerly and westerly direction in the SW Monsoon and northeasterly direction in the NE monsoon and the associated waves are coming from the same directions throughout the year. Since the waves have a shoaling effect around the west and eastern side of the island, this would have an environmental impact once the harbor is built. During the SW monsoon the focused wave energy on the southern side will tend to push the seasonally oscillating sand spit towards the western wall of the harbour. The wall would hinder the further movement of the sand to east and would cause the sand to pileup near the wall during the SW monsoon and during the transition from SW to NE monsoon. When the wave energy is coming from the east (figure 33) during the NE monsoon, the refraction of the waves would be minimized due to the sudden change in depth at the entrance of the harbour. This will tend the waves to pass through the lagoon and to derogate the wave effects near the western wall of the harbour creating a wave shadow zone. Due to this shadow zone, movement of the sand pit to the west would be inhibited during the NE monsoon. As a result there would be permanent pileup of large amount of volume of sand on the western side of the harbour. This would cause a reduction in the volume of sand available on the current existing beaches on the southern side.

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The pile up of sand at this area also means that some amount will be lost by spilling out. At present similar type of natural spilling is observed at southern central area of the reef, where the sand spit is observed. The swells wrapping around from both sides pushes the sediment to the central area where it is accumulated and spills down the slope. But it has to be noted that the wave wash up also moves this sediment along the beach (the steep beaches at the south western side during SW monsoon may have been created this way).

Wave front

Turbulent area

Refracted waves

Calm area

Figure 33 Possible wave condition after the construction of harbour walls

On the eastern side of the harbour, there would be reflection of waves from the eastern wall of the harbour throughout the year. This will result in a change of the wave dynamics due to the superposition of waves creating more turbulence. This turbulence would increase the erosion on the eastern side of the harbour. In addition to this, continuous wave motion would cause a pileup of water on the wall during the NE monsoon (see figure 34), creating a pressure gradient thereby producing a downwelling effect near the wall. The opposite would happen during the SW monsoon creating an upwelling near the wall. Since the wall of the harbour is

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made of rubble it will have a tendency to absorb the wave energy resulting in a small reflection. Therefore the washing away and piling up the sand near the eastern wall might not be at a large scale.

Figure 34 Current dynamics at the eastern side of the harbour

7.4.2 Social impacts

Social impacts due to the project are positive impacts. With the development of the harbour transportation of goods from Male’ or nearby islands will be easy, thereby aiding the economic well being of the island’s population. A good harbour at the island will increase the number of vessels using the harbour which in turn can lead to additional trade (may increase the revenue of the shops on the island).

At present access to the island done by anchoring the vessels in the southern side and by using small boats. Since the area experiences refracted swells at times it gets very rough and makes it impossible to download material or goods. Also people arriving to the island or leaving, especially sick or emergency patients face very difficult time in getting on to vessels. The harbour development work will ensure safety access to the island and material download.

7.4.1 Wastewater Disposal or littering of harbour

Improper disposal of organic (fish waste, sewage, fuel) and inorganic waste (tins, cans, plastic bottles) to the harbour basin will cause degradation of the harbour basin waters. Dumping of fish waste and other organic waste will increase the nutrient levels of the harbour, facilitating proliferation of algae. Floating waste such as empty cans, plastic bottles, and plastic bags will

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be accumulated at the dead zones (corners). Proper harbour management plan has to be formulated to address the use of harbour. Sign boards have to be made, as an awareness tool to inform people using the harbour not to contaminate or dispose waste at the harbour basin. In addition to that Dustbins should be placed at the harbour area.

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Table 11 Impact matrix for the harbour development works at Thuraakunu

Physical Environment Biological Environment Social Environment

Impact Source Seawater quality Groundwater quality Air quality Noise Local hydrodynamic regime Littoral movement Sedimentation or smothering Erosion Damage to top soil Lagoon bottom disturbance Terrestrial habitats Coral growth Coral mortality/breakage Fish fauna Reef habitat/reef flat, crust area Lagoon habitat/near shore habitat Vegetation/terrestrial Protected marine species Protected birds Waste management Health Employment Public safety Transport and navigation Mobilization, downloading material and machinery and storage

Excavation works of the harbour basin

Construction of of harbour walls

Vegetation clearing

Operation of heavy machinery (on land )

Construction waste, solid waste

Construction work force

Reclamation/dreadged material disposal Positive Negligible Minor (negative) Moderate (negative) Ma jor (negative)

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8 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 (Table 12). 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.

Mitigation measures are discussed for the construction and operational stage of the project. During the construction stage it is important to take measures to minimise sedimentation impacts on the reef environment. A construction method that has the least impact on terrestrial or marine environment has to be utilized.

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Table 12 Possible environmental impacts and mitigation measures for harbour development work at Thuraakunu

Possible Time frame Impact Institutional Mitigation measures Location Cost (MRF) Impacts (Phase) intensity responsibility Littering on Littering, accidental disposal and spillage of any Reef flat, lagoon During Minor to Contractor, Island N/A terrestrial and construction wastes should be avoided by pre- and land construction (6 moderate, short Development marine planning ways of their transportation and months) term impact Committee environment disposal. Careful planning of the work activities can also reduce the amount of waste generated.

During construction of protection walls and Lagoon, reef flat During Minor Contractor, Island N/A, should be break waters, all construction related waste construction Development included in the collected and disposed at Thuraakunu garbage (6 months) Committee contract of area work Alteration to Placing openings at the protection walls (using Reef slope, reef flat During Minor, long term Island Development 50,000.00 localized PVC piping) to allow flow of water (culverts) construction Committee hydrodynamic regime

Damage to reef Awareness raising of project managers on Reef flat and reef During Minor, short Island Development N/A by loading and environmentally friendly practices to minimize slope lagoon construction (1 term impact Committee unloading works negative impacts. Conduct consultation month) meetings by Island Development Committee advising environmentally sound workmanship Careful planning to reduce time of the Lagoon During Minor Contractors N/A unloading process (Down load all material construction (1 during the NE monsoon, since it will be very month) difficult in SW monsoon and may cause accidental spillage Sedimentation Creation of a sand bund to reduce the Reef flat reef slope During Major, short to Private donor / Island N/A Excavator and siltation on sedimentation impact lagoon construction (2 mid term impact Development and trucks the reef and months) Committee provided by lagoon due to private donors excavation works

63 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Dredging works of the harbour basin and Reef flat and During Moderate, short Private donor N/A Excavator clearance work at the entrance will be carried lagoon areas construction phase term. The and trucks out during the low tide) (2 months) currents at the provided by area are relative private donors strong allowing (possible maximum increase in flushing number of days for excavation works) Disturbance to Instead of using the roads at the periphery of On land, lagoon During Major, short to Private donor, Island N/A Excavator the near shore the island dispose sediment from out side the construction (2 long term Development and trucks habitat at the shoreline vegetation. Transport of dredge months) impact. Committee provided by dredge material material to the north east corner using the private donors disposal areas existing roads open to the northern side. Careful guidance by the island Development Committee in regard to disposal areas Loss of habitat, Stakes put at the corners of the harbour Reef flat, lagoon During Major, short Private donor, Island N / A damage or death dredging area so the excavator operator can construction phase term, may have a Development of coral at the identify the perimeter of the harbour basin, (6 months) positive impact Committee entrance area, thereby avoiding unnecessary loss of or on long term by protection wall trampling of live coral. creating area additional Since live coral cover is very low at the substrate for immediate project area, trampling by workers at coral growth protection wall areas will be minor If possible coral transplantation to another Reef flat, lagoon During N/A Island Development Depends on the location construction (5 Committee amount of coral months) needed transplantation and contractor MRF 10,000.00 Excavation works will be carried out during Reef flat, lagoon During Major, short Private Donor N/A Excavator low tide to minimize sedimentation around the construction (2 term. Since the and trucks existing entrance area months) tidal currents and provided by swell induced private donors currents are strong sediment plume will be

64 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

directed away from the reef

Air pollution Completing the excavation works as soon as Air Construction phase Minor/short Private Donor N/A possible. (2 months) termed

Noise pollution Completing the excavation works as soon as land Construction phase Minor/short Private Donor N/A possible, avoid work at night (3 months) term

Alteration to the Installation of openings in the harbour beach, lagoon Operational phase Moderate, long Island Development As given above local protection walls using PVC pipes (culverts) term impact Committee at construction hydrodynamics, phase impacts currents (50,000.00) Possible erosion Shoreline monitoring work done every Southern side Operational phase Moderate, long Island Development Included in the at the southern 3months in the first year and every 6 months in beach term and Committee monitoring side of the island the coming year for identification of erosion unpredictable program due to impact obstruction of (time or severity) littoral sediment movement Solid waste Employee a staff for monitoring and cleaning Harbour Operational Phase Minor, long term Island Development Based on the harbour for the Island Development Committee monthly salary Committee equivalent to government employees, 2100.00

Construction of toilet facilities for vessels anchored at the harbour MRF 30,000.00- 40,000.00 Placement of dustbins at the harbour area MRF 500.00- 1000.00 Accidental Put up sign boards advising good practices Harbour Operational phase Minor, long term Island Development 1000.00 - spillage (oils, Committee 1500.00 materials)

65 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

9 Alternatives

9.1 Location

The wind and wave data analysis reveals that the northern side including the west and the east is rough throughout the year. These areas have a large surf zone with hard rocky surfaces and a very shallow depth. One of the reasons that this area is not a suitable location for a harbour location is due to the high energy experienced throughout the year. Another reason is that, being shallow and rocky in nature increases the amount of work for dredging which successively increases the cost for construction also increased dredging in turn means more sedimentation.

High erosion scarps in the southwest bay like area (TBM 16 to TBM 13, refer figure 18) discloses that this area experiences more wave action than the proposed location of the harbour. The south western side also is observed with a shallow trough, having a shoaling effect. This shoaling of waves would make the area very difficult for navigation.

Therefore considering all alternative location the proposed location seems most plausible, since the area is easy to navigate and possible for access throughout the year.

9.2 Excavation method

The proposed method used for deepening the harbour is using excavator, will have significant impacts on the surrounding environment. 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. Since the project has been finalized because a private donor agreed to provide an excavator and trucks, small community based projects as this cannot go for such technologies.

Sand bunds will be use to reduce environmental impacts due to suspension of silt. Another alternative to this is the use of geo textile curtains to avoid the spread of suspended silt beyond the immediate area being dredged. However, form past experience, the coastal

66 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

environment in the Maldives is far too dynamic and precludes the use of such barriers. Also it is economically not feasible in small projects such as the proposed harbour development at Ha. Thuraakunu. Another alternative to sand bund is construction of the breakwater at the early stages of the project.

9.3 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. Since the sediment plume will reach southern central and western side, indirect impacts are possible. 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 Thuraakunu 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. 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).

The no project scenario means hardship for Thuraakunu population, who at present have experienced very difficult conditions in accessing the island for material and good downloading. Also the present method of arriving and departing the island may cause injuries to people and lose and damage valuable materials or goods.

10. Monitoring and Reporting

Monitoring is the systematic collection of information over a long period of time. It involves the measuring and recording of environmental variables associated with the development impacts. Monitoring is needed to;

• Compare predicted and actual impacts • Test the efficiency of mitigation measures • Obtain information about responses of receptors to impacts • Enforce conditions and standards associated with approvals

67 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

• Prevent environmental problems resulting from inaccurate predictions • Minimize errors in future assessments and impact predictions • Make future assessments more efficient • Provide ongoing management information • Improve EIA and monitoring process

Impact and mitigation monitoring is carried out to compare predicted and actual impacts occurring from project activities to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures. This type of monitoring is targeted at assessing human impacts on the natural environment. Impact monitoring is supported by an expectation that at some level anthropogenic impacts become unacceptable and action will be taken to either prevent further impacts or re-mediate affected systems. Mitigation monitoring aims to compare and predicted actual (residual) impacts so that effectiveness of mitigation measures can be determine.

The environmental monitoring proposed here is to determine the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and long term change to the benthic community (especially coral community) where the baseline information was collected. In addition to this additional monitoring station would be established at the reef slope (channel entrance) to determine the changes to this habitat by sediment deposition transported through the reef access channel. All monitoring activities will be carried out under the supervision of an environmental monitoring and management consultant. Letter of commitment of the proponent to implement the mitigation and monitoring program is given in Annex 3. The detail of the monitoring program is given in Table 13.

68 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

Table 13 Monitoring program for Thuraakunu. Costs are annual.

Reef community Methodology Sampling Estimated cost for frequency monitoring Coral and other benthic Photo quadrat Twice ( during and Rate per field survey cover after completion of USD 500.00 project) Reef fish community, Fish visual census Twice( during and Rate per field survey diversity and abundance after completion of USD 500.00 project) Coral recruitment, growth Quadrate method including photo-quadrate Twice( during and Rate per field survey rates and mortality methodology after completion of USD 500.00 project) Sedimentation rates Quantitative assessment of sediment loading on the Every month Rate per field survey reef benthos sediment traps deployed at the USD 200.00 predetermined locations Seawater quality Water samples sent to Food and drug authority for Twice( during and Rate per test set USD analysis. Following parameters are to be tested; after completion of 100.00 salinity, pH, Electrical conductivity, dissolved project) oxygen, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphates Shoreline monitoring Shoreline mapping (beach line, vegetation line to After the Rate per field survey identify possible erosion problems) completion of the USD 500.00 project and after six months

69 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Thuraakunu Harbour, Ha.Alif Atoll

11 Conclusion

The long term environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are considered minor to moderate. This conclusion is based on the evaluation and various components of the proposed project, implementation methods discussed, finding of the existing environment and environmental components that are likely to be affected. The significant environmental components that are likely to be affected are changes to littoral drift and near-shore coastal hydrodynamics, sedimentation impacts on coral community from dredging and habitat loss. Impact on the coral community from sedimentation as a result of excavation is inevitable. Yet the extent of direct or indirect damage to the coral community can be minimized through the mitigation measures discussed. It should also be noted that there is virtually no coral community at the direct impact area (i.e. area of excavation for harbour basin).

Potential changes to the hydrodynamics were considered in the overall design of harbour. Along with this design, mitigation measures and environmental monitoring of the shoreline would ensure that unfavourable outcome of the design and modification to the harbour are identified early on so that appropriated remedial actions can be taken.

The socio economic justification for the project is the strongest, since the community desperately needs a safe harbour. This is based on the outcome of the public and community consultations.

Therefore, with due consideration environmental components the project is likely to effect the consultant concludes that the project components and designs are feasible and appropriate mitigation measures are given to correct and minimize unfavourable environmental consequences. Furthermore the public and community consultation responses were in favor of the project due to the socio-economic benefits

Annexes Annex 1 Design Criterea

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION - 2 -

DESIGN CRITERIA - 2 -

HYDROGRAPHIC DESIGN BASIS - 2 - WAVE CLIMATE - 2 - WATER LEVELS - 8 - FLUSHING / CIRCULATION - 10 - HARBOUR LAYOUT AND USAGE PLAN - 11 - ESTIMATED QUANTITY OF MATRIAL REQUIRED - 15 -

Introduction

A harbor is a sheltered body of water for safe anchorage for boats. The purpose of a harbor is to provide safety for boats and ships at mooring or anchor and a facility for safe loading and unloading of goods and people. Key features of all harbors include shelter from both long and short-period open ocean waves, easy and safe access to the ocean in all types of weather, adequate depth and maneuvering room within the harbor, shelter from storm winds, and minimal navigation channel dredging.

The harbour at Thurakunu is designed to accommodate for the basic requirments for a safe anchorage and safe loading and unloading of goods and passengers. The coastal structures associated with the harbour are desiged on the basis of the site investigations carried out for the EIA report for this development, anecdotal information and longterm climatic data available for northern regions of Maldives. Three main structures shall be constructed in association with the harbour. The priliminary designs of these structures are given in the following sections.

Design Criteria

The alongside loading berth at Thurakunu is designed to accommodate a single 100ft cargo vessesl and a 100ft passenger vessel. The mooring quaywall is designed for 3 x 100ft vessels, 10 x 50ft vessels and 10 x small bokkuraas. The field assessment of the pysical environment of Thurakunu has been used for desiging and alignmenet of these structure.

Hydrographic Design Basis

Wave Climate

Wave data for the project site does not exist. Thus wave conditions for the site were determined by a very limited wave measurements undertaken over the southernend reef flat of at Ha. Berimadhoo, which lies approximately 5km south of Thurakunu and with the analysis of longterm wind data at Hanimadhoo Airport which lies at 49m south of Thurakunu. A wind data set for a period of 15years recorded at a frequncy of 1/day was used for this analysis. The wind data allowed estimation of local wind generated waves for Thurakunu. In the absence of the means to directly establish swell wave climate at the site the design swell waves used for the Male SeaWall project (at Male Island) was used as the design swell wave for Thurakunu. The swell wave constituent of the wave data from Ha Berimadhoo were also examined to crosscheck if the assumed swell wave condition was not an underestimation.

The wind data from Hanimadhoo showed that the strongest winds in the northern regions of the Maldives are from directions between SW and NW. Winds from WNW is the direction of highest frequency of occurance. The least frequncy of occurance is from SSE direction (Table 1 and Fig 1). The magnitute of winds from SSE was also recorded

- 2 - to be less than 7m/s. The frequncy of occurance from SSE direction was estimated to be 0.4%.

Study of the wind directions for individual months show that the winds from the 2nd quadrant (between E and S) are mainly confined to the months of November, December, January, February and March (Fig 2). The strongest winds from a southwesterly direction mainly occurs during the month of December. The cumulative frequency of occurance of winds at speeds greater than 7m/s from a southeasterly quadrant is just 1.06%. The total pecentage of occurance of winds from southeasterly quadrant sum upto 9.6%

Based on these results the 2nd quadrant (between E and S) southeasterly direction would be the most appropriate direction for orienting the harbour entrance.

Table 1. Wind frequency distribution based on direction and speed

Wind % of Occurance of Wind Speed [m/s] Direction 2345678910111213 N 0.05% 1.36% 3.11% 1.50% 0.35% 0.02% NNE 0.05% 0.69% 0.78% 0.67% 0.21% NE 0.05% 1.01% 2.28% 1.15% 0.35% 0.09% WNE 0.02% 1.33% 1.98% 1.38% 0.39% 0.05% E 0.09% 1.04% 1.54% 1.43% 0.83% 0.28% 0.16% 0.02% 0.02% ESE 0.02% 0.25% 0.53% 0.64% 0.39% 0.14% 0.09% 0.09% 0.02% 0.02% SE 0.14% 0.30% 0.18% 0.05% 0.09% SSE 0.14% 0.09% 0.14% 0.02% S 0.23% 0.25% 0.12% 0.12% 0.07% 0.05% SSW 0.23% 0.28% 0.30% 0.16% 0.07% SW 0.02% 0.09% 0.46% 0.97% 0.46% 0.39% 0.07% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% WSW 0.02% 0.60% 1.96% 1.91% 1.93% 1.01% 0.76% 0.14% 0.12% 0.12% 0.02% W 0.02% 0.97% 2.46% 3.11% 3.48% 2.65% 1.59% 0.71% 0.41% 0.23% 0.02% 0.02% WNW 0.07% 0.85% 2.60% 4.67% 4.93% 4.35% 3.18% 1.93% 1.13% 0.25% 0.09% 0.02% NW 0.05% 0.92% 2.65% 3.06% 2.44% 1.77% 0.97% 0.44% 0.18% 0.16% 0.02% 0.05% NNW 0.07% 1.47% 2.09% 1.68% 0.85% 0.44% 0.28% 0.05% 0.02%

- 3 - Fig 1. Summary wind rose plot for 15year wind data from Hanimadhoo

January February

March April

May June

- 4 - July August

September Octoberl

November December Fig 2. Wind rose plot for individual months

Local wind generated waves for the wind records were estimated by using the -2 2 deepwater wave focasting equation H0 = 2.482 x 20 U A (Shore Protection Manual, 1984), where H0 is the spectrally based significant wave heigh and UA is the wind stress factor.

The forcas of the local wind generated waves indicated that the maximum wave height from a southerly direction at Thurakunu is 1.68m with a period of 13.64sec, which falls in the category of swell waves. The average wave height from a southerly direction is

- 5 - 0.21m and an average wave period of 4.4sec. Wave frequency exceedance curve for the southerly waves shows that significant wave height exceeding 0.5m will be less than 7.5days/year (Fig 3).

1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 Wave height [m] 0.4 0.2 0 020406080100 No of days when waves are from southern half

Fig 3. Exceedance curve for the focasted local wind generated waves.

Analysis of 9 bursts of wave measurements from Berimadhoo within the period between 5-12-07 and 6-12-07 (Fig 4) indicated that the waves on the southfacing coastine of the islands in the region where Thurakunu lies receives both wind and swell waves during the Northeasterly monsoon. The swell waves are half the height of the local wind generated waves but with a period almost twice that of the local wind generated waves. The averaged wave Maximum wave height recorded for this period of data collection was 0.59m with a period of 6.22s (Table 2). These data indicates that the wave reaching the southern shorelines of the islands in this region during the northeast monsoon comprise of approximately16% swell waves while 78% are local wind generated waves.

It was also noted that the significant wave height for the wind waves recorded at Berimadhoo was higher than the forcasted wave height from the wind data.

- 6 - Burst 1 Burst 4

Burst 3 Burst 5

Burst 6 Burst 8

Burst 7 Burst 9

Burst 10 Fig 4. Time series plot of wave data from the reef flat at southeastern corner of Berimadhoo and their corresponding spectral density graphs

- 7 - Table 2. Summary of the results of analysis of wave data from Berimadhoo

Full data set Wind waves Swell waves Significant wave height (Hs) 0.35 0.32 0.14 RMS wave height (Hrms) 0.25 0.23 0.10 Largest crest-to-trough wave (Hmax) 0.59 0.54 0.23 Mean height of largest 1/10 of waves (H_10th) 0.43 0.40 0.18 Mean period of Hs (Ts) 6.31 5.72 9.95 Mean wave period (Tz) 5.41 5.02 9.83 Period of Hmax (Tmax) 6.22 5.72 10.39 Mean height of largest 1/10 of waves (T_10th) 6.23 5.66 9.65

Although the limited wave data from Berimadhoo provided some indication to the wave climate along the southern facing coasts of Thurakunu this data is too limited to be used for infering the design wave conditions for the harbour structures. Therefore it was decided to use the design wave conditions for Male Seawall project for designing the harbour structures at thurakunu. Swell waves of height 3.0m with wave period 16sec have been used as the design wave condition for the seawall project in Male. This may be a conservative assumtion for the harbour at Thurakunu because the shorline facing south is not directly exposed to swells but they are refracted waves that approach the island from northerly directions.

Water Levels

The astronomical tide at Thurakunu has been assumed to be same as that at Hanimaadhoo, which is located at approximately 49km south of Thurakuinu. Longterm water-level records for Hanimadhoo are available from the web site of University of Hawaii.

All coastal development projects require determination of the water level or water datum. The tide which consits of number of wave forms, termed tidal constituents generate many different water levels that are used as different datums. The most commnly used tidal datum in the Maldives is the Mean Sea Level (MSL). However, for the design of a harbour which requires a minimum water depth at any given time also requires the design to have the knowledge of of the Lowest Low Lide. For designing the heights of the quaywalls and breakwaters the Highest High Water Level, Mean High Water Level, Mean Low Water Level at the site needs to be established.

Analysis of the longterm tidal records from Hanimadhoo (Nov 2002 – Nov 2007) indicated that the tide at Hanimadhoo is a mixed diurnal – semi diurnal tide with a dominant lunar semidiurnal constituent followed by the Luni-solar declinational diurnal constituent (Fig 5 and Fig 6). The diurnal constituent of the tide at Hanimadhoo is 23% greater than the second largest constituent (luni solar declinational diurnal constituent) (Table 3).

- 8 - 90 M2 80 70 K1 hr]

2 60 50 40 30

Magnitude [m S2 20 O1 10 0 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 Frequency [hr-1]

Fig 5. Spectral density for the tide data from Hanimadhoo.

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

-0.2

Tide Rel (m) MSL -0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1 11/11/2007 11/11/2007 12/11/2007 12/11/2007 13/11/2007 00:00 12:00 00:00 12:00 00:00 Date-Time

Tide M2 S2 N2 K1 O1

Fig 6. Time series plot of the dominant constituents of the tide at Hanimadhoo showing the significance of each of these tidal constituents in the tidal signal at Hanimadhoo.

- 9 - Table 3. Magnitude of the dominant tidal constituents for the tide at Hanimadhoo.

Tidal Constutuent Magnitude

M2 - Principal lunar semidiurnal constituent 80.84

S2 – Principal solar semidiurnal constituent 21.68

N2 - Larger Lunar elliptic semidiurnal constituent 2.92

K1 - Luni-solar declinational diurnal constituent 62.34 O1 - Lunar declinational diurnal constituent 16.94

Tidal datums at Thurakunu were established by Height Difference Method (Swanson, 1974). This method of datum establishment requires the knowledge of the tidal datums at a control tide station. For establishemnt of tidal datums for thurakunu the tidal datums at Hulhule tide station were used together with the tidal records from Hanimadhoo for the month of November 2007. This method assumes that the height difference between the published tidal datums at the control station are directly related to that at the site of interest. For example the Mean High Water Level at the site is given by the relationship:

MHWS = HWS – (HWC + MHWC) where MHWS = computed mean high water at site; HWS = observed high water at site; HWC = observed high water at control tide station; and MHWC = published mean high water at control tide station.

This method of estimating the tidal datums at Thurakunu showed that the tidal difference between the Mean High High Water Level (MHHW) and Mean Low Low Water Level (MLLW) at Thurakunu has a range of 0.80m. The tidal range at Thurakunu was estimated to be 1.3m (Table 4).

Table 4. Tidal datums estimated for Thurakunu

Tidal Datum Hulhule Thurakunu Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) 0.64 0.56 Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) 0.34 0.26 Mean Lower High Water (MLHW) 0.14 0.06 Mean Sea Level (MSL) 0 0 Mean Higher Low Water (MHLW) -0.16 -0.34 Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) -0.36 -0.54 Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) -0.56 -0.74

Based on the estimated tidal datums the depth of the harbour at Thurakunu was designed to be -3.74m (MSL). This will give a minimum of -3.0m of water depth in the harbour basin at all times. The outer breakwaters are designed to have a crest height of +4.0m (MSL). At this height the breakwater would prevent overtopping of waves onto the paved area behind the breakwater and allow maximum usage of the harbour. The quawalls are designed to have a height of +2.2m (LAT). This would leave the quawall at a height of 1.2m from water level at MHHW.

Flushing / Circulation

- 10 - An important aspect of a harbour design is the water circulation that occurs within the harbor and between the harbor and the surrounding water body. Water exchange with the surrounding water body will produce a flushing action in the harbor. Flushing is important to reduce the level of chemical, biological, and floating solids pollution in the harbor.

Flushing in the harbour at Thurakunu will be achieved by installing a culvert system through the breakwaters. Natural flushing of the harbour will also take place with rise and fall of the tides. As the tide rises, ambient water will enter a harbour and mix with the water in the harbor. On the subsequent falling tide, a portion of this ambient/harbor mixture will leave the harbor. The net result is the exchange of some harbour water with water from outside the harbour. The efficiency of this exchange depends primarily on two factors. One factor is the ratio of the volume of water that enters on one tidal cycle (the tidal prism) to the total volume of water in the harbor. The other factor is the momentum of the incoming jet of water on the rising tide, and the consequent amount of penetration of this jet and its resulting angular momentum as it establishes a rotating gyre inside the harbor. The strength of this jet is related to the amount of flushing that will occur and the strength of the tidally induced circulation in the harbour.

Given the tides at Thurakunu and the dimensions of the harbour basin designed for Thurakunu approximately 20% of the total volume of of water in the harbour basin will enter the harbour basin from the ocean during a tidal cycle. The culverts (Fig 8) will cause water to flow in and out of the harbour at a period simlar to that of the prevailant wave periods. The flusing of water through the culverts will cause mixing of the water within the harbour basin. Mixing caused by the flushing of water through the culverts will improve the efficiency of tidal flusing of the harbour. Thus the harbour designed for Thurakunu is expected to stay free from pollution caused by stagnation.

Harbour layout and usage plan

The layout and dimensions of the harbour at Thurakunu (Fig 7 and Fig 8) were dermined with the use of bathymetric data at the site, hydrodynamic climate and usage requirement of the harbour. The bathymetric survey of the shallow lagoon area at the site (southestern side of the island) and the inteded area to be reclaimed (northern side of the island) was undertaken with the use of a dumpy level. The levelling data were reduced to MSL and contour maps of these two areas were plotted.

Considering the cost of construction of the breakwater, which is mainly dpendent on the volume of stones to be used for the breakwater construction it was decided to place the outer breakwater of the harbour in waters shallower that -1.5m (MSL). This depth limitation for the placement of the outer breakwater limited the width of the harbour to an average width of 80m.

The volume of material that would be excavated from the harbour basin and the channel was estimated to be 39,000cum. This volume and the bathymetric data from the northern side of the island was used to esimate the area that could be reclaimed by the excavated sediment. It was estimated that an area of 13,000sqm can be reclaimed with the surpless excavated material. The shape of new shoreline at the reclamation area was design to follow the nearshore contours in order to mitigate the effect this reclamation on beach morphodynamics. The reclaimed area will have a gentle slope sloping down shorewards in order to allow natural drainage of rain water.

- 11 -

Proposed Area to be reclaimed [13,300sqm]

1 rea Structure Type 2 g A rin Structure Type 1 oo tty M r Je nge sse Pa Culvert 1 g in d a a2 lo re n A U a g / e in g r -3.0m (CD) or in A o d M a o L

3 a - e 3 r . 0 50 100m A 5 ng m ri o ( o C M D Structure Type 3 Structure Type 2 )

Culvert 2 -4.0m (CD) Structure Type 3

Fig 7. Map showing the locations of the proposed harbour and reclamation area.

The harbour at Thurakunu will have a total quaywall length of 409m. Out of this 55m of quaywall is specified for loading and unloading of cargo, 101m of quaywall length is specified for berthing of passenger vessels and for mooring of larger vessels. The remaining quaywall length is deignated for mooring large and small vessel. The entrance channel to harbour is designed to have a width of 22m and will be dredged to a depth of -3.5m (CD). The outer end of the entrance channel is designed to have a depth of -4.0m (CD). The outer end of the entrance channel is designed to have a cone shape in order to allow safe manouveouring for the vessels in and out of the entrance.

- 12 -

Fig 8. Harbour layout and the proposed usage plan

The harbour structures at Thurakunu will have a design life of 25years. There are three main types of structures that will be constructed in this harbour. All he quaywalls will be constructed using sheet piles and breakwaters will be constructed as a rubble mound structure using quary stones.

A typical cross-section of the sheet pile structure at alongside berth is shown in Figure 9.

Fig 9. Typical cross-section of the sheetpile quaywall (structure type 1) at Thurakunu.

- 13 -

The breakwater at the harbour shall be a three layer rubble mound structure. The total length of this structure shall be 406m. Out of this length 254m will be constructed as revetment breakwaters (i.e. placed on a sloping reclaimed area behind the quaywall. All the revetment type breakwater structures will be placed at water depths of less than 1.5m. 152m of the breakwater (along the sides of the entrance channel will be constructed as a typical rubble mound breakwater sloping at both sides. These breakwatres will have much of its length constructed in water depth greater than 1.5m. The average size of armour stones estimated for these breakwaters is 2tonns

A typical cross-section of the breakwater structures for Thurakunu harbour are shown in Figure 10 and 11.

Fig 10. Typical cross section of the revetment type breakwaters at the harbour [Structure Type 2]

Fig 11. Typical cross section of the breakwaters along the harbour entrance [Structure Type 3]

- 14 - Estimated quantity of Matrial required

Material Qty required Armour stones 11,520.00 cum Filter stones 6,528.00 cum Core material 12,288.00 cum Sheet pile 3,672.00 m

- 15 - Annex 2 Terms of reference

Annex 3 Letter of commitment Island Development Committee Ha Thurakunu Maldives 23 January 2008

Mr. Ahmed Abdulla Minister Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water Fen building, Male Maldives

Dear Sir,

Re: Harbour construction at Thuraakunu, Ha Alif atoll

As the developer of the above project, we herby confirm our commitment to carry out the environmental mitigation measures and the monitoring program outlined in this EIA report.

Sincerely,

Saeed Abdulla Island Chief (IDC – Chairperson)

Annex 4 Site Plan Proposed Area to be reclaimed [13,300sqm]

Structure Type 2

Structure Type 1 Mooring Area1

Passenger Jetty Culvert 1

Area2 -3.0m (CD) Area Mooring

Loading/Unloading

-3.5m (CD) 0 50 100m Area3

Mooring Structure Type 3 Structure Type 2

Culvert 2 -4.0m (CD) Structure Type 3

Annex 5 Bathymetry Bathymetry of the proposed reclamation site

Proposed Area to be reclaimed [13,300sqm]

Bathymetry of the proposed harbour site

0 50 100m Levels (m) relative to MSL

Annex 6 List of people met and stakeholder communications

Mr. Ahmed Saleem - Asst Director General, ERC – MEEW Ms Zeenia - Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure Mr Saeed Abdulla - Island Chief, Thurakunu Memebers of IDC - Thurakunu (List Attached) Mr. Mohamed Rasheed - Director, Ministry of Atolls Development

Annex 7 References and literature used

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.

English, S., Wilkinson, C. and Baker, V. (1997). Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia. 390pp.

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.

Loya, Y. (1978). A Plotless and transect methods. In: Stoddart, D.R. and R.F. Johannes (eds). Coral Reefs: research methods. UNESCO, PGa.s: pp197-217.

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

Allison, W.R., (1996) ‘Methods for surveying coral reef benthos’. Prepared for IMS, Zanzibar, 18 pp.

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

Moran, P.J. and De'ath, G. (1992). Suitability of the manta tow technique for estimating relative and absolute abundances of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) and corals. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 43:357-78.

Miller, I.R. and Muller, R. (1997). A quality control procedure for observer agreement of manta tow benthic cover estimates. In Proceedings of 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama, 2, 1475-1478

Fernandes, L. (1989). Biases associated with the use of the manta tow, a rapid reef surveillance technique, with particular application to the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), M.Sc. Dissertation, James Cook University, Townsville, 128pp.

Gischler, E. (2006). Sedimentation on Rasdhoo and Ga. Atolls, Maldives, Indian Ocean. Facies (2006) 52: 341–360.

Gourlay M.R., (1998). Coral cays: Products of wave action and geological processes in a biogenic environment. Proceedings of the 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, Australia. 2, 491 – 496.

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.

Kench, P.S. and Cowell, P.J. 2001. The Morphological Response of Atoll Islands to Sea Level Rise. Part 2: Application of the Modified Shoreline Translation Model (STM). Challenges for the 21st Century in Coastal Sciences, Engineering and Environment, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, 34: 645-656.

Malone, M. J., Baker, P. A., Burns, S. J. and Swart, P. K. (1990). Geochemistry of platform carbonate sediments, Leg 115, Site 716 (Maldives Archipelago, Indian Ocean). Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, Vol. 115.

Naseer, A. and Bruce, G. H. (2004). Inventory of the Maldives coral reefs using morphometrics generated from Landsat ETM+ imagery. Coral Reefs.

UNDP (2006). Developing a Disaster Risk Profile for Maldives. Volume 1: Main Report.

Woodroffe, C.D. (1992). Morphology and evolution of reef islands in the Maldives. Proc 7th Int Coral Reef Symp. 2: 1217 – 1226.

Maniku, H. A., 1990, “Changes in the topography of the Maldives”, Forum of Writers on Environment, Male Annex 8 Curriculum Vittae of the Authors

Curriculum Vitae

Name Hussein Zahir Date of Birth 10 February 1966 Nationality Maldivian

Personal Address Address G. Melon Karankaa magu Male, 20-04 Republic of Maldives Tel. 960 9909911 [email protected]

Contact Address for Communication Purpose Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd H. Collezium Male, 20-06 Republic of Maldives Telephone No: (960) 31 5049 Fax No: (960) 31 0776 E-mail: [email protected]

Education 2007 University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) “ Coral reef recovery processes after the 1998 mass bleaching event in the Maldves.

1993 – 1996 University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom Marine Biology B.Sc. (Hon)

Other Training 1988. Marine Science Institute, University of Philippines Certificate of completion of training course on Scleractinian Coral Taxonomy

1989. Chulalongkorn University. Bangkok. Thailand Certificate of Completion of training Course on Coral Taxonomy, Ecology and Management

1998 Okinawa International Centre, Okinawa, Japan Certificate of participation on training course on Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs

1999 Korean Research and Development Institute, Seoul, South Korea Certificate of Completion of the Training Course on marine coastal zone conservation and management

1990. Department of Marine Sciences. Chulalongkorn University. Bangkok. Thailand Workshop on Taxonomy of Soft Bottom Invertebrates (ASEAN- Australian Coastal Living Resources Project)

1991. Mc Master University, Hamilton, Ontario. Canada. Training on Boring Sponges of Coral reefs in Maldives

1996 Turtle Specialist Group, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal (CMS) and government of India. Bhubaneshwar, India Workshop and Strategic Planning Session for the Conservation of Sea Turtles of the Northern Indian Ocean

1999. United Nations Environment Program. Environment for South Asia and Pacific, organized by SACEP and Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment. National Training for State of the Environment and Data Collection and Reporting.

Language and Degree of English Proficient Proficiency Dhivehi Mother Tongue

Membership of Professional International Society for Coral Reef Studies Bodies

Country of work experience Maldives

Employment Record Marine Research Centre, Ministry of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources

February 2006 to date Reef Biologist July 2001 to January 2006 Senior Research Officer July 1996 to July 2001 Research Officer 1988 to1992 Biological Aid 1986 to 1988 Trainee

Land & Marine Environmental Resource Group Pte. Ltd.

June 2000 to present Environmental consultant/director (part time) Consultant in the marine environmental surveys, environmental monitoring, and environmental impact assessments. Responsible for the management and implementation of environment related projects undertaken by the company

Detailed tasks assigned Tasks Assigned as an employee of the Marine Research Centre, Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources

1. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program

As head of the coral reef research unit, my responsibilities include planning, design and implementation of the national coral reef program to long term patterns of coral reef change natural and human related impacts. The most significant work include looking into the factors effectuating the reef recovery process since the bleaching of 1998 an annual survey of 15 selected sites throughout the Maldives. Overall responsibility is to provide data based technical advice to the relevant government agencies for informed decision making for reef resource management.

2. National Coordinator for Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

Responsibilities include implementation and management of the program activities in the country through the GCRMN Regional Node for South Asia Region in Sri Lanka. Current program of activities include, establishing and monitoring of coral reefs to assess the recovery processes after the 1998 bleaching and to monitor the temporal changes to the reef system. Responsibilities also include coordination and implementation of socioeconomic monitoring at designated pilot sites to assess the livelihood and their dependence on coral reef resources. Coordinating the establishment of the national coral reef database to share information at national, regional and global level is also part of the program of activities.

3. Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) Program

Responsible include implementation and management of the identified projects/studies funded by CORDIO. Currently involve biophysical studies designed to understand the reef recovery processes after a severe disturbance in coral reefs.

4. Catalogue of Common coral of Maldives, 1996

Tasks Undertaken as an independent consultant

1. Initial Environmental Evaluation. Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project, Maldives

Location Ungoofaru, Manadhoo and Dhidhdhoo, Client Asian Development Bank Time 2 months (July – Sept 2005) Position Held Domestic Environmental Specialist

Initial Environmental Evaluation of the project sites; Ungoofaaru, Manadhoo and Dhidhdhoo for the tsunami emergency assistance project: TA-0001 (MLD). Specific tasks include Rapid environmental assessment of the project sites, prepare environmental evaluations based on filed data and community consultations, predict environmental impacts and propose an environmental monitoring plan for the project

2. Marine Biodiversity assessment, , Faafu atoll, Maldives 3

Location Maldives, Faafu atoll Client Asian Development Bank Time 2 months (July – Sept 2003) Position Held Biodiversity/ Environmental Specialist

Marine Biodiversity Assessment, Faafu atoll, Maldives. ADB regional technical assistance for coastal and marine resource management and poverty reduction in South Asia (ADB RETA 5974). A project implemented by Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources. Assignment involved detailed preparation of marine biodiversity and coastal management issues with special reference to grouper fishery and resource management.

3. Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the development of Fish processing plant at Ha. Huvahandhoo

Location Maldives Client Jausa Fishery Links Time 2 months -2002 Position Held Marine Biologist

The EIA report involves collection and assessment of baseline and secondary environmental data both at the marine and terrestrial environment of the project site. It also involved a risk assessment and evaluation report. An environmental management plan was also developed as part of the EIA. Tasks undertaken as an employee of Land and Marine Environmental Resource Group Pte. Ltd.

1. Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Redevelopment of Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort, North Ari Atoll

Location Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort Client John Keeles Travels Club pte Ltd Time 2 ½ months – 2007 Position Held Environmental Consultant

The EIA report involves collection and assessment of baseline and secondary environmental data on marine and terrestrial environment of the project site.

2. Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the construction of sea survival training centre at Villingli, Male atoll

Location Villingili, Male Atoll Client Institute of Maritime Studies, Maldives Time 1 ½ months – 2007 Position Held Environmental Consultant

The EIA report involves collection and assessment of baseline and secondary environmental data on marine and terrestrial environment of the project site. EIA report compilation and consolidation.

3. Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Development of Kudamuraidhoo as a Tourist Resort, HDh. Atoll

Location Kudamuraidhoo, HDh Atoll Client Jihad and Hussain Pvt. Ltd 4 Time 2 months – 2006 Position Held Environmental Consultant

The EIA report involves collection and assessment of baseline and secondary environmental data on marine and terrestrial environment of the project site.

4. Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Development of Watavarreha as a Tourist Resort, GDh Atoll

Location Watavarreha, GDh. Atoll Client Maishaa Mohamed Didi Time 2 months – 2006 Position Held Environmental Consultant

The EIA report involves collection and assessment of baseline and secondary environmental data on marine and terrestrial environment of the project site.

5. Environmental Impact Assessment for Reethi Rah Resort Redevelopment

Location Reethi Rah Resort, Maldives Client Kersner International, Hotel Group Time 2 ½ months – 2005 Position Held Marine biologist

The EIA report involves collection and assessment of baseline and secondary environmental data on marine and terrestrial environment of the project site. This is one of the largest reclamation projects for resort development and assessment of impact of dredging and reclamation on the coastal marine habitats was a major component of this study

6. Environmental Impact Assessment for Redevelopment of Maafushivaru (Twin Island) in South Ari Atoll. 7. Location Maafushivaru, Ari Atoll Client Universal Resorts Time 2 ½ months – 2004 Position Held Marine biologist

8. Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Villa Hakatha at Thilafushi, Male Atoll.

Location Malé atoll Client Villa Hakatha, Maldives Time 1&½ months (2001) Position held Project biologist

9. Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the Resort Development at Baa. Landaagiraavaru

Location Baa. Landaagiraavaru, Maldives

5 Client Club Mediterranee Time 1 & ½ months (2000) Position Held Project Biologist

The EIA study involved collection of oceanographic data, study of the beach environment, vegetation, reef quality and groundwater/seawater quality. The study examined the impacts of the development on the island and mitigation measures where appropriate. The study also forms the baseline data for future monitoring of the environmental changes due to the resort development

10. Environmental Statement for the proposed Channel dredging & associated Barrier Island at Sun Island Resort.

Location Sun Island Resort Maldives Client Tekton Design Associates Pvt. Ltd Time July -August 2000 Position Held Project Biologist

The study involved assessment of the potential environmental impacts on the coastal shoreline of the island and on to the reef environment within close proximity of the proposed project site.

Tasks Undertaken as an employee of Riyan Design and Management Pte Ltd

1. Environmental Statement for the Proposed Redevelopment of Reethi Rah Resort

Location K. Reethi Rah Resort, Maldives Client Reethi Rah Resort Time May 2000 Position Held Project Biologist

The study involved assessment of the existing status of the islands environment and identification of potential environmental impact areas related to the proposed redevelopment plans. Formulation of an environmental monitoring plan that would enable the client to record the environmental changes that may be related to anthropogenic activities or natural.

2. Proposed Beach Nourishment at M. Medhufushi. An assessment of Environmental Design Parameters

Location M. Medhufushi Maldives Client Vaaly Brothers Pte. Ltd Time April 2000 Position Held Project biologist

The study involved examination of the beach characteristics including the sediment properties, beach profiles. Identification of a borrow site by comparing the borrow sediment characteristics of the borrow site and the native beach sand.

3. Environmental Evaluation of Small Bore Sewer System (SBS) in Lh. Hinnavaru and K. Gulhi

Location Lh. Hinnavaru & K. Gulhi, Maldives Client Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority Time 3 months (1999) Position Held Project Environmental analyst

The study involved groundwater / seawater analysis for 6 sewage pollution; reef surveys hydrographic / oceanographic surveys and survey of the slopes of the sewage lines.

4. Assessment of Oil Contamination in Male Groundwater from Vehicle Garages and Petrol Stations.

Location Malé, Maldives Client Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority Time: 3 months (1999) Position Held Project environmental analyst

The study involved groundwater analysis for oil contamination and assessment of general working conditions and practices in the Vehicle Garages and Petrol Stations in Male.

5. Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Beach Protection Works at Nika Island Resort.

Location Malé, Maldives Client Nika Island Resort Time 2 months (1999) Position Held Project biologist

The project involved assessment of physical environmental conditions such as the wave, current sediment characteristics, bathymetry at the project site (Nika Island Resort). Assessment of the status of the reef at the project site and an evaluation of the possible impacts on the reef and the physical environment as a result of the proposed beach protection work.

6. Environmental Monitoring of F. Filitheyo Resort Development

Location F. Filitheyo, Maldives Client AAA & Trading Company, Maldives Time Ongoing since March 1999 Position Held Project biologist

7. Environmental Monitoring of M. Medufushi Resort Development

Location M. Medhufushi, Maldives Client Vally Brothers Pte Ltd. Maldives Time ongoing since March 1999 Position Held Project biologist

8. Environmental Monitoring of Lh. Kanuhuraa Resort Development

Location Lh. Kanuhuraa, Maldives Client SIMDI Hotel Management Pte Ltd. Maldives Time Ongoing since June 1999 Position Held Project biologist

9. Environmental Monitoring of R. Meedhupparu Resort Development

Location R. Meedhupparu, Maldives Client Cowrie Investment Private Limited. Maldives Time Ongoing since Oct. 1999 Position Held Project biologist

The monitoring programs involve periodic measurements of the beach profiles around the islands, reef quality surveys,

7 groundwater/seawater analysis and environmental auditing

Tasks under taken as a freelance consultant

1. Environmental Impact Assessment for F. Filitheyo Resort Development

Location F. Filitheyo, Maldives Client AAA & Trading Company. Maldives Time 2 ½ months – 1998 Position Held Project biologist.

2. Environmental Impact Assessment for Lh Madhiriguraidhoo Resort Development

Location Lh. Madhiriguraidhoo. Maldives Client Guardian Agency pte ltd. Maldives Time 2 ½ months – 1997 Position Held Marine biologist

3. Environmental Impact Assessment for B. Fonimagoodhoo Resort Development

Location B. Fonimagoodhoo, Maldives Client Mr. Thasmeen Ali,Sheeraazeege Maldives Time 2 ½ months – 1997 Position Held Marine biologist

4. Environmental Impact Assessment for M. Hakuraahuraa Resort Development

Location M. Hakuraahuraa. Maldives Client Fantasea Pte Ltd. Maldives Time 2 ½ months – 1997 Position Held Marine biologist

The EIA studies involved collection of oceanographic data, study of the beach environment, vegetation, reef quality and groundwater/seawater quality. These studies examined the impacts of the development on the island and mitigation measures where appropriate. The studies also forms the baseline data for future monitoring of the environmental changes due to the resort development

8 Publications

Edwards, A. J., Clark, C., Zahir, H., Rajasuriya, A., Naseer, A., & Ruben, J., (2001) Coral bleaching and mortality on artificial and natural reefs in Maldives in 1998, sea surface temperature anomalies and initial recovery. Marine Pollution Bulletin 42(1): 7-15. Wallace, C.C., & Zahir, H (2007). The Xarifa expedition and the atolls of Maldives. Coral Reefs 26:3-5. Zahir, H (2000) Status of coral reefs of Maldives after the bleaching event in 1998. In Souter, D., Obura, D., &Linden, O., (eds) Status Report 2000: Coral Reef Degradation in Indian Ocean: Zahir, H., S, Clark., Rasheed, A., & M, Saleem (2002) Spatial and temporal patterns of coral recruitment following a severe bleaching event in the Maldives. Coral Reef Degradation in Indian Ocean (CORDIO) status report 2002: 125-134. Zahir, H (2002) Status of coral reefs of Maldives 2002. Coral Reef Degradation in Indian Ocean (CORDIO) status report 2002: 116-124 Zahir, H., Ismail, Abid., Rasheed, A., (2005) Recovery since the 1998 Mass bleaching and the impacts of Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004. Status Report 2005. Coral Reef Degradation in Indian Ocean (CORDIO) 2005: 109-118. Zahir, H., Naeem (1996). Generic Guide to Selected Corals of Maldives. Marine Research Centre, Ministry of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources, pp 99 Zahir, H (2000) Status of Sea Turtles of Maldives. Maldives Marine Research Bulletin. pp 43-61 Zahir, H., Allison, W., Dews, G., Gunn, J., Rajasuriya, A., Tamelander, J., Solant, JL., Thompson A., & Wakeford, M (2006) In: Wilkinson CR, Souter D, Goldberg (eds) Status of coral reefs in tsunami affected countries: 2005. Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, Townsville, pp 111-120.

9 Annex 99 EIA consultant’s information

Name of the Consultant: Hussein Zahir

EIA Registration Number: EIA 04/07