Reclaiming the Kulhudhufushi mangrove to develop an airport on the northern island will cause lasting damage, an Environmental Impact Assessment for the US$11.4 million project has warned.
According to the EIA report by private consultant Dr Zahid Hameed, the “considerable negative impacts on the environment” include the permanent loss of habitat for flora and fauna, loss of terrestrial vegetation, deforestation, and the effect on marine life due to sedimentation.
“The wetland area surrounding the Kulhi acts as a natural catchment for flood mitigation. If proper drainage is not established, the area will experience flood impacts,” warned the report, which was submitted Monday to the Environment Protection Agency.
The report advised that socio-economic benefits may not outweigh the negative impacts because an airport exists on the nearby island of Hanimadhoo.
The government’s plans to begin dredging the environmentally sensitive wetland area in early November sparked an outcry from islanders and environmentalists. Developing an airport on Kulhudhufushi, the main population hub in the northern atolls, was a campaign pledge of President Abdulla Yameen.
During a community consultation meeting with Dr Zahid in April, a majority of attendees favoured building the airport in a different location. But the report noted that the eastern side of the island was dismissed due to space limitations.
The government also rejected a nearby island as an alternative site and “a decision has been made to develop an airport by reclaiming Kulhudhuffushi Kulhi area”.
The consultant identified measures for mitigating the negative impacts such as the “creation of similar environment in another location”, the use of sediment screens and bund walls to minimise sedimentation, and replanting mature trees and coconut palms in a different area.
According to the report, the Regional Airports department has committed to undertaking the mitigation measures, carrying out environmental monitoring, and proposing a floodwater drainage system.
Environmental groups stress that the mangrove is home to endangered species and serves as a natural defence system by collecting and draining rainwater. Local women also soak coconut husk at the mangrove lake to make coir rope.
While the project is “undesirable from a purely environmental perspective”, the report suggested that the impact can be offset to an extent from an “obligation to better protect and preserve a similar environment in the region with a strict conservation program”.
The report concluded: “There is political will to proceed with the project along with the backing and need of a vocal majority in the island. As this is a project that has long been delayed resulting in significant community issues, it does not seem the project will be delayed any further.”
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