December 2016 SFG2883 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK MALDIVES – SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Public Disclosure Authorized Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture Contents 1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Maldives Sustainable Fisheries Project ............................................ 6 Background ................................................................................................................................... 6 Overview and Need of Fishery Sector Development in Maldives ................................................ 7 Environmental Vulnerability and Sectoral Context .................................................................... 11 Project Development Objectives: ................................................................................................ 12 Project Beneficiaries ................................................................................................................... 12 Project Components .................................................................................................................... 12 Objective of the Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Framework ............. 15 Due Diligence Principles ............................................................................................................ 16 ESMF Preparation Approach ...................................................................................................... 17 Implementation of ESMF............................................................................................................ 19 The ESMF as a Living Document ............................................................................................... 19 2. Chapter 2: Introduction to Prevailing Environmental and Social Conditions in Project Area20 Physical Environment: ................................................................................................................ 20 2.1.1 Geographic and Topographic Characteristics ................................................................ 20 2.1.2 Water Resources ............................................................................................................ 22 2.1.3 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 22 2.1.4 Wave Energy and Tidal Effect ....................................................................................... 22 2.1.5 Natural Hazard (Seismicity, Tsunami, Typhoons): ........................................................ 23 Biological Environment .............................................................................................................. 23 2.2.1 Terrestrial Flora.............................................................................................................. 23 2.2.2 Wetland Ecosystems ...................................................................................................... 23 2.2.3 Faunal Diversity ............................................................................................................. 24 2.2.4 Marine Biodiversity ....................................................................................................... 24 2.2.5 Protected areas: .............................................................................................................. 25 Socio-Economic Environment .................................................................................................... 27 2.3.1 Demography ................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.2 Housing .......................................................................................................................... 30 3. Environmental and Social Legislation, Regulatory and Institutional Framework in the Republic of Maldives ...................................................................................................................................... 31 Constitutional and Regulatory Framework Overview ................................................................ 31 3.1.1 Overview of the Constitution of the Republic of the Maldives, 2008. .......................... 31 1 3.1.2 Decentralization Act ...................................................................................................... 32 Environmental Regulation, Institutional Framework and Policies ............................................. 32 3.2.1 The Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, 1993 ........................................... 32 3.2.2 The Environmental Impact Regulations, 2012 ............................................................... 33 3.2.3 The Regulation on Environmental Liabilities (Regulation No. 2011/R-9) .................... 34 3.2.4 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) List, 2014. ..................................................... 34 3.2.5 Handling of trees and palms ........................................................................................... 35 3.2.6 Regulation on Sand and Aggregate and Coral Mining .................................................. 35 3.2.7 Regulation Governing Reclamation and Dredging of Islands and Lagoons of Maldives 2013/R-15 ...................................................................................................................................... 35 3.2.8 Law of Fisheries (No. 5/87) (Direct Relevance to the project) ...................................... 35 3.2.9 Dewatering Regulation (213/R-1697) ............................................................................ 37 3.2.10 Waste Management Regulation, 2013 ........................................................................... 37 3.2.11 Noise and Excessive Vibration (Pollution Control) Regulations, 2008 ......................... 38 3.2.12 Convention on Conservation of Biological Diversity, Regulations 2006 ...................... 38 Environmental Policies and Guidelines: ..................................................................................... 39 3.3.1 National Waste Water Quality Guidelines, Maldives, 2007 .......................................... 39 3.3.2 National Solid Waste Management Policy, 2008 .......................................................... 39 3.3.3 Energy Policy ................................................................................................................. 40 3.3.4 The National Energy Action Plan .................................................................................. 40 Social Policies and Regulations. ................................................................................................. 41 3.4.1 Maldives Tourism Act, 1999 ......................................................................................... 41 3.4.2 The Tourism Master Plan ............................................................................................. 42 3.4.3 The Historical and Cultural Property Law (Law No: 27/79) ...................................... 42 3.4.4 Maldivian Land Act, 2002 ............................................................................................. 43 3.4.5 Public Health Protection Bill ........................................................................................ 43 3.4.6 Gender ........................................................................................................................... 43 3.4.7 Other Social Laws ......................................................................................................... 44 International Conventions .......................................................................................................... 47 Development priorities and Sustainable Development Goals .................................................. 50 Compliance with World Bank Operational Policies ................................................................... 51 3.7.1 World Bank Safeguard Policies ..................................................................................... 51 Adequacy of Government of Maldives Environmental Clearances ............................................ 53 2 4. Chapter 4: Generic Assessment of Environmental and Social Impacts..................................... 54 Background ................................................................................................................................. 54 Positive Impacts of overall project ............................................................................................ 56 Negative impacts of overall project ........................................................................................... 57 Negative Impacts resulting from project activities under Component B. ................................... 57 Social Impacts ............................................................................................................................. 58 5. Chapter 5: Environmental and Social Management Framework .............................................. 59 Environmental and Social Screening under Components B ....................................................... 59 5.1.1 Negative List .................................................................................................................. 59 5.1.2 National Level Screening ............................................................................................... 59 5.1.3 Project Level Screening