Meedhoo dredging halted for noncompliance with environment regulations

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has stopped dredging in Meedhoo, Dhaalu atoll, after the recently started project failed to take measures to protect its environmental impact.

Director General of the agency Ibrahim Naeem told Minivan News that the project was approved by the agency after completing an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), but that the dredging was carried out against the conditions under which it was approved.

The US$10.8 million government project to have 17.5 hectors of land reclaimed and a 485 metre revetment constructed in Meedhoo is being implemented by Netherlands’ Boskalis International.

It was inaugurated last week by President Abdulla Yameen and is expected to be completed within eighteen months of commencement.

Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz had told local news agency Sun today that the dredging had been halted in order for the vessel to be brought to Malé to repair a pump.

Acknowledging that dirt was sprayed on to the island while dredging, he said that safety measures will be taken in the future.

Minivan News was unable to obtain a response from the Ministry of Housing regarding the issue at the time of press.

According to the EPA, one of the main issues leading to the project’s halting was the failure to build a ‘bund wall’ to contain the excess dredge spoil from spilling into the ocean. Another key issue was using the rainbowing technique – the propulsion of materials through the air in a high arc – instead of using pipelines to take the the sand closer to the land.

“If it is required, action will be taken as per regulations,” Naeem explained.

Local environmental NGO Ecocare which – also looking in to the issue – said the organisation is currently communicating with head office of the Royal Boskalis Westminster in the Netherlands,  who are also “concerned and very much alarmed about the situation”.

“As soon as we got information from the island we informed the authorities and we are communicating with Boskalis as well. It is very sad that such an incident happened,” said Maeed M. Zahir of Ecocare.

“Boskalis has a reputation for implementing their projects in a sustainable and environment friendly manner and follow international standards. They are also investigating the incident,” he added.

He said from the reports and pictures from the area, the failure to take mitigation measures had resulted in a negative impact on the island.

“The whole shoreline vegetation is covered in sea water and sand. It is all white now. In addition to this, trees inland have also been affected by this. Leaves are falling off many trees,” Maeed explained, noting that  people living there have also been directly affected by the incident.

According to Ecocare, rainbowing has left “fine sediments ‘raining’ on rooftops and on the vegetation cover near shore and inland”.

A statement issued today by the NGO said that layers of sedimentation found on some rooftops were 2-3 inches thick, large trees on the shoreline and inland had also been affected and are now drying and dying.

“The implications to the environment are frightening while property both public and private are at risk,” the statement added.

Applauding the swift action taken by the EPA concerning the issue, Maeed expressed concern that such an incident had happened on a government project.

“It is very important for them to monitor such projects even if it has been handed over to a private company,” he said.

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5 thoughts on “Meedhoo dredging halted for noncompliance with environment regulations”

  1. I know I shouldn't laugh; but this is what you get when you cut corners too much.

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  2. Cutting corners is one thing!
    But this; done by this experienced and renowned company such as Boskalis is unimaginable and highly questionable!
    Also if the President inaugurated this project, and if the pumping out of sand was started in his presence, and in this manner; it too is alarming!
    Also if walls to hold spillage of mud in to the ocean were not put in place, all the reefs around and even further would already be blanketed with silt and the whole environment suffocated and eventually die, and affect the fishery industry as well!

    "Acknowledging that dirt was sprayed on to the island while dredging, he said that safety measures will be taken in the future."! This cannot be enough!

    Proper and sufficient compensation should be sorted! Future measures to ensure safety cannot undo damage already done!

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  3. President was not there when they start ? Unlike yellow fever Nasheed, Yameen does not want to color the sand in pink and then kick off the project.

    Nasheed when laying foundation he paint the cement blocks i yellow and then project must start only when Naheed lay the foundation .

    This president does not work that way and he delegate works to others.

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  4. This is only the beginning of the suffering of the 51%. Foreign mercenaries like 'hero' won't care, though - not as long as they get their heroin dose.

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  5. And that's why we hate your president, "hero". He delegates work to others, and now look what happens. Anni took responsibility for things.

    And yes, sand is white/yellow by nature. Let's keep it that way. We don't want our beaches stained pink.

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