Resilient island plan-2

strong>Introduction-2

The resilient island plan contains interventions that improve the resilience of Maldivian islands, in this case Hulhumeedhoo. It means that current island problems are tackled, potency for economic, social and environmental development is created and the island is adapted to predicted climate change impacts. This resilient island plan for Hulhumeedhoo is based on the outcomes of the workshop and the after workshop process where, together with members of the action group, information is gathered that formed the base for the elaborations.

In this chapter the resilient island plan is presented and all components are shortly described. Furthermore the future potentials are mentioned. In the chapters after all components are elaborated in detail.

 

2.2 Resilient island plan
The resilient island plan contains ten solutions, as also presented on the right.

1. Increase awareness on all type of issues
2. Implementation of a waste management center
3. Production of compost
4. Improvement of the built-up area
5. Improvement of the farming area
6. Improvement of the swamp edge
7. Coastal protection
8. Establishment of a tree nursery
9. Development of a coral nursery and coral rehabilitation
10. Governmental policies

 

The components are good on their own, but are interlinked and strengthening each other. For example the problem of illegal waste dump can be solved to offer a proper waste management centre (component 2) or by informing people what the health risks are of dumping waste (component 1). Implementing of both components will tackle the problem from two directions (offering alternative and information giving) and is thus more successful. It is therefore highly recommended to implement all ten components of the resilient island plan.

 

2.3 Components

On the next pages the problems addressed, the solution and other potencies per component are described.

 

 

 

1.increase awareness on all type of issues.

Problems

Participants of the workshop have identified several problems related to lack of awareness, education and knowledge.

– Illegal waste dump

– Over exploitation of trees

– Illegal extraction of sand and coral gravel

– Creation of mosquito breeding places

– Drug addiction

– Increased robbery

Solution

The use of workshops and awareness programs in combination with vocational training programs can solve those issues

Potentials of the solution

– Incorporate schoolchildren

– Incorporate jobless people, school drop-outs and drug addicts.

– Make NGOs responsible.

 

2.Implementation of a waste management center

Problems related to waste management.

– More and more waste is produced by inhabitants; 900 tons in 2005 and 1800 tons on the island of Hulhumeedhoo in 2010 (UNEP, 2006, Government of Maldives, 2010)

– High transport costs to dispose waste

– Current waste dump at the wrong location

• Far away from harbor
• Smoke is polluting farmland, the village and the coast
• Polluted rainwater is infiltrating in the swamp and poisoning ground water

– No money available for waste management.

 

Solutions

– Relocate the waste management center

– Increase awareness on effects of illegal waste dump, recycling and to reduce waste production

– Collect waste at the waste management center as a first step of waste disposal

– Segregate waste at home or at the waste management center.

 

Potentials

– Use the waste management center and facilities in Hithadhoo

– Cooperate with nearby resorts

 

 

 

 

1.Production of compost

Problems related to compost

– Poor soil for food production

– Burning of organic waste

– Excessive use of artificial fertilizers

 

Solution

Use organic waste to produce compost to enrich gardens and farmland

 

Potentials

– Reduction of artificial fertilizers, so saving of money and environment

– Use of dry sludge from the proposed sewerage system as a fertilizer for farmers.

4.Improvement of the built-up area

Problems within the public space of the built-up area

– Dusty roads during dry periods

– Muddy and flooded roads during rainy periods

– Absence of shade around public places

 

Solution

– Street drainage

– Vegetation around public places

 

Potentials

– Shade trees in streets

 

5.Improvement of the farming area

Problems on the agricultural fields

– Very poor and alkaline soil. Farmers spend 1.5 salary on artificial fertilizer per year.

– Dehydrated soils during the north east Monsoon

– Too wet soils during south west Monsoon

– Salt spray from the ocean

– Deforestation

 

Solution

Agroforestry system that uses inter cropping, hedges, mulching and compost

 

Potentials

– Use of compost from households

– Use of dry sludge as fertilizer

– Reforestation to replace removed forest

 

 

During heavy rain streets are flooded. This will be worse with climate change.

 

Farmers burn and cut forest to create more agricultural space.

 

 

6.Improvement of the swamp edge

Poor soil for food production

– Flooding of the swamp edge (up to 60 centimeters of water)

– Mosquito breeding places

– Illegal waste dump, polluting groundwater and loss of attractiveness.

– Burning and cutting of trees

– Loss of biodiversity in and attractiveness of the swamp area

 

Solution

Poor soil for food production
Poor soil for food production

Make a drainage system that drains the swamp edge and forms a protective boarder of the swamp

 

Potentials

– Planting of trees to provide shade, economic trade off and ecological improvements

– Create tourism spots

– Protect swamp by law (see also governmental policies)

 

7.Coastal protection

Problems at the ocean and lagoon coast

– Severe erosion can be observed everywhere along the ocean coast

– On several parts the natural vegetation is gone. On these places erosions seems to go faster.

– The ocean ridge is with 2m above MSL quite high, but eroding. The lagoon ridge is low with only 0.8m above MSL and also eroding.

– Waste is dumped on the beach

– The present floodwall is already eroding three years after construction and no beach is formed in front.

– Houses are built too close to the lagoon

 

Solution

– Coastal vegetation and mangroves

– Engineered construction

 

strong>Potentials

– Increase beach access and recreational options

– Create tourist spots

– Incorporate current Hulhumeedhoo harbor development plans.

 

 

 

8.Establishment of a tree nursery

Problems related to trees

– Extensive cutting of trees

– Burning of trees by farmers

– Deforestation

 

Solution

Establish a tree nursery

 

Potentials

– Incorporate school drop outs and drug addicts

– Re-use plastic bottles to grow seedlings and reduce waste

– Sell tree seedlings to nearby resorts

 

9.Development of a coral nursery and coral rehabilitation

Problems related to the coral reefs

– Coral bleaching

– Reef damages through storm swells and human activity like sand mining, oil of boats, collection of coral stones

– Decrease of fish

– Negative spin-off on tourism

 

Solution

– Coral reef awareness and education programs for inhabitants and tourists (see increase awareness)

– Coral nursery

 

Potentials

– Incorporate tourism by creating diving spots and education center

 

10.Governmental policies

Problems related to governmental regulations and legislation

– Illegal sand mining

– Illegal tree cutting

– Biodiversity killed through forest fires

– Lack of law enforcement

 

strong>Solution

– Law protection of specific areas

– Increase awareness to let people understand the thought behind laws

 

Potentials

– Re-introduce former regulations on the use of trees

– Designate a sand mining area

– Incorporate farmland and farming regulations in the land use plan

 

 

 

Inhabitants cut too much trees at the ocean coast causing erosion at the coast.

 

Bangladesh workers take sand for construction close to the channel with Herathera.

 

 

2.4 Future potentials

In the introduction chapter a sad future of Hulhumeedhoo is presented, an image that shows the island of Hulhumeedhoo under severe sea level rise and when no action is taken. This is not the future we would like to have. With implementation of the solutions of the resilient island plan a lot of potential will be created for a healthy, safe and wealthy future under different climate scenarios.

 

 

The current island of Hulhumeedhoo

 

 

Hulhumeedhoo in 2100 under severe sea level rise where almost the whole island is under water and Hulhumeedhoo becomes uninhabitable.

 

 

 

Potentials of the resilient island plan in the best case climate scenario, which means there is not a huge sea level rise and no increase in storms and precipitation in the year 2100.

 

Place for living: the whole island is still suitable for living. A healthy environment is present. Mosquitoes are under control as well as pests and diseases. Groundwater is much cleaner as it is now. A sewerage plant and desalination plant will provide in the basic needs.

 

Agriculture: Agroforestry system has increased yield
and saves money. Food shortage is a product of the past. The swamp area is clean and healthy and the taro production is outreaching for the island, the surrounding resorts and the bigger islands in Addu City. In the mangroves in front of the island crab and lobster farms are settled and have a huge profit thanks to the booming tourism industry.

 

Source of income: Tourism industry is booming as well as some commercial activities around the new harbor. The agricultural products are sold all over the country. The island is well appreciated as a day trip destination for tourists.

 

Ecology: the core of the swamp has become a healthy swamp with rich biod
iversity. It filters ground water and is without mosquitoes. Environmental tourists and researches have discovered the place and make daily swamp tours. The new reefs in the lagoon are rich in marine life and also well appreciated among tourists. The bait fish population is recovered and also the fishing industry is booming again. Finally the reefs have proven to be a perfect island protection. Beach has been formed and instead of beach erosion there can be accretion observed.

 

 

Potentials of the resilient island plan under the worst case climate scenario, which means strong sea level rise and more storms and precipitation in the year 2100.

 

Place for living: The current village and the swamp are drowned but the higher coastal zone will remain when measures are taken now. This will be a huge area for living and all necessary social and economic functions. The new harbor also remains and a bridge is connecting the two islands. The current village has been drawn but the two new islands are offering enough space for living.

 

Agriculture: The new inner lagoon, in between the high coastal zone and the harbor island, will be a healthy place with mangroves. The salt lakes are very suitable for fish farms, crab and lobster farms and shrimp farms. Floating objects can contain auto pot systems with all necessary agricultural products. Also the edge of the higher coastal zone is suitable for agricultural activities.

Source of income: The floating resorts and pillar sea villas are much appreciated and tourism is still booming. The unique island of Hulhumeedhoo is an attractive place to go and shop. Tourists can make a round tour to see how Maldivians live and adapted themselves to a changing climate.

Ecology: The mangroves surrounding Hulhumeedhoo are very rich in biodiversity. Different new species have discovered the island to stop over during their journey. This has attracted ecological tourists and researches from all over the world. The shallow water corals have been adapted to the warmer water temperature, resulting in a rich marine ecosystem with colorful fishes and many sea birds. Also the fishing industry is as rich as it is nowadays

 

2.5 Meaning for Addu City and Maldives

The resilient island plan and its ten components are not a blue print for other island in Addu City or the Maldives. They can not simply be copied on other islands, since problems and landscape situation is different. But they are an inspiration for a possible future. Some of the components are directly suitable, other must be adapted.

The resilient island workshop helps to find the right solutions and the best alternatives on other islands of Maldives. With these results a comparable plan as the resilient island plan for Hulhumeedhoo can be made.

With the decentralized strategy of the national government of Maldives and the local government of Addu City it is very likely that the resilient island strategy is successful. With help of the community, local knowledge and understanding a better island can be created. But governmental initiative and support and (foreign) financial aid are needed to make these plans a reality.

I would like to encourage island and atoll governments, and local NGOs to work together and make Maldives the first resilient island state in the world capable of facing sea level rise, food crises, economic depressions and natural disasters. I truly believe that islands presented on the right are the future for Maldives, and the community can continue living here for ages, but the nation must start action today to have this future tomorrow.

Hulhumeedhoo in 2100 with the resilient island plan, seen from a plane from the west.