Second National Environment Action Plan
The Government of the Maldives formulated in 1999 the second
National Environment Action Plan to address the environmental planning and
management needs of the country. The second National Environment Action Plan
stated that air pollution due to dust, smoke and fumes from motor vehicles is
reaching levels of concern in Male', the capital. Action was called for
assessing the environmental and health impacts of road transportation in Male'
and enforce measures to ensure that pollution from exhaust gases and cement
dust do not reach critical levels. The development and implementation of
strategies to reduce the need for motor vehicles in the new growth centres by
favouring public transport and providing for safe and appealing bicycle paths
and footpaths, is also identified in the second National Environment Action
Plan as a priority.
Transboundary Air Pollution & INDOEX
Though the environment of the Maldives is still in a sufficiently
pristine state and is pollution free, it is very susceptible to stress from
transboundary pollution. The Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) conducted by an
international group of over 150 scientists, is investigating how air pollutants
are transported through the atmosphere and how they affect the atmospheric
composition and solar radiation processes over the Indian Ocean.
The preliminary results of the INDOEX showed that air pollutants
dramatically impact this region and scientists found a dense brownish pollution
haze extended from the ocean surface to 1to 3km altitude. The affected area
includes most of the northern Indian Ocean including the Arabian Sea, much of
the Bay of Bengal, and the equatorial Indian Ocean to about 5 degrees south of
the equator. The haze is caused by high concentrations of small particles, also
known as aerosols, with sizes mostly less than a few micrometers in diameter.
The haze particles are primarily composed of soot, sulphates, nitrates, organic
particles, fly ash and mineral dust. Because of this pollution, visibility over
the open ocean was often under 10 km, a range that is typically found near polluted
source regions in the eastern United States and Europe.
The haze layer also contained relatively high concentrations of
gases including carbon monoxide, various organic compounds, and sulphur
dioxide. The concentrations of these gases provided conclusive evidence that
the haze layer is caused by pollution.
Male' Declaration
Air pollution is an emerging environmental issue in Asia and the
impact of air pollution on human health is increasingly being reported in the
region. At the initiative of United Nations Environment Programme, senior
government officials and experts on air pollution from South Asian countries
met at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand and agreed on a
draft Declaration to promote regional co-operation in the area of
pollution. On 22 April 1998 the Male'
Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely
Transboundary Effects for South Asia was discussed and adopted by Ministers of
the Environment at the seventh meeting of the Governing Council of South Asia
Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) in Male'.
The Maldives is fully committed to implement the Male'
Declaration. The National Implementing Agency identified by the Government for
Male' Declaration is the Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment. On
3 May 1999 the National Implementing Agency entered into an agreement with
United Nations Environment Programme / Environment Assessment for Asia and the
Pacific to prepare a Baseline Study on Air Pollution and a National Action Plan.
This Action Plan has been prepared to implement the Male'
Declaration in the Maldives and has been developed with the assistance of the
United Nations Environment Programme.
Aim & Strategies
The aim of the Action Plan is:
To establish necessary framework for
addressing air pollution and to protect the environment through air pollution prevention.
The
Government of Maldives will achieve this aim through a combination of
legislation, regulation, voluntary initiatives and economic instruments.
Finding effective ways of preventing air pollution in the Maldives requires
commitment and concerted action from all Maldivians, our regional neighbours
and the international community.
Actions, Policies and Measures:
In order
to achieve the aim and in accordance with the strategies of the action plan,
specific actions will be undertaken to achieve the following:
i)
Regular monitoring of air pollution
ii)
Assessment of the impacts of air pollution on human health and assets
iii)
Prevention and management of air pollution at the source level
iv)
Development of suitable coordinating mechanisms for the successful
implementation of the Action Plan
v)
Capacity building through development of suitable training and educational programmes
to enable the Government to effectively implement all aspects of the Action
Plan
The
specific actions that are necessary at present to address air pollution in the
Maldives are identified in the next sections. All components of this Action
Plan are interdependent and provide a framework for comprehensive action that
should contribute to the control and prevention of air pollution and achieve
sustainable development. No component should be seen as an end, in and or
itself.
Monitoring
Presently, there are no stations for
ambient air quality monitoring in the Maldives, and monitoring is not conducted
on a regular basis.
Air pollution
monitoring will be undertaken for ambient air quality, acid rain, point sources
as well as mobile sources. For ambient air quality the approach will be on
geographical basis. Acid rain monitoring will be undertaken where present
meteorological stations are located. Point source monitoring and mobile source
monitoring will be done only in the capital Male'.
To establish an
integrated air quality monitoring system that will provide access to the
information necessary to implement air pollution prevention practices.
Establish an ambient air quality monitoring network with
three stations (in the north, Male' region, and south), fully equipped to
monitor NOx, SO2, Ozone and CO.
Initiate sampling for acid rain monitoring at the five
meteorological centres and provide proper support for the Department of
Meteorology to undertake monitoring of rainwater quality.
Procure the necessary equipment for stack emission
monitoring and implement a regular programme to monitor emissions from point
sources in Male'.
Initiate a random sampling programme for all categories of
vehicles in Male' and procure the necessary samplers and equipment.
Develop the necessary capacity at Ministry of Home Affairs,
Housing and Environment for air quality research, data dissemination and
networking.
One of the major constraints confronting the Maldives in pollution control and prevention and environmental management in general, is the paucity of information, so necessary for rational decision-making. This lack of information is particularly critical in the area of transboundary air pollution in that it relates to issues of fundamental importance such as human health and the sustainable development of the major economic activity tourism.
Air pollution assessments work programme will be initiated through a co-ordinated effort by all the concerned sectors. The emphasis will be on understanding the impacts of air pollution and presenting the information to decision-makers and the public in an easily understandable format.
To assess the impacts of air pollution in the Maldives
and examine pollution prevention measures.
Develop a
time-dependent dispersion model such that the model could predict where the
pollutants are advancing along the wind trajectory and where diffusion,
transformation and deposition take place.
Undertake damage assessment for population and assets in the
atolls where the concentration of air pollution is high due to the transportation
of the air pollutants from the transboundary movement in the region.
Undertake a damage assessment to study the impacts on
ecological systems in the Maldives from transboundary air pollution.
Undertake a health impact assessment in Male', and correlate
epidemiological studies to the variations in air pollution.
Conduct a personal sampling programme in Male' to determine
air pollution exposure and also conduct sampling for indoor air pollution
exposure due to fuel wood burning in other islands.
Examine air pollution prevention/abatement options for the Maldives and
undertake cost-benefit analysis for the proposed measures.
Air pollutant emissions from local sources have not been a
major problem in the Maldives. However, in Male' due to overcrowding, dust,
smoke and fumes from motor vehicles, air pollution is reaching levels of
concern. Male' with an area of about 1.8 square kilometres has a population of
about 70,000. This extremely congested island has about 55,808 vehicles
registered of which many are lorries and cars. This traffic brings sand from
unpaved roads onto the paved roads where it is ground into fine dust. In
addition to this the vehicles emit smoke, which contain oxides of nitrogen, and
sulphur, and suspended particles of various kinds from the incomplete
combustion in diesel vehicles.
Measures, which the government will adopt for air pollution
prevention, control and management includes adoption of appropriate market and
regulatory measures, and the provision of better information and raising public
awareness.
To limit emissions of air pollutants through implementing
economic instruments and regulatory measures that will result in pollution
prevention.
Develop air quality guidelines and standards for acceptable
air quality.
Formulate emission standards for diesel and petrol
fuelled vehicles; and for existing and new power plants and industrial
activities.
Formulate engine specification
standards for import of vehicles based on combustion efficiency, power, fuel
efficiency, etc.
Introduce penalties for polluting road
vehicles.
Lower import duty for essential spare parts required for
vehicle repair, and maintenance.
Review and rationalize duty and taxes for importation of
new and reconditioned vehicles linked to polluting potential.
Establish a Vehicle Testing Centre; to initiate voluntary
inspections and introduce emission verification meters to traffic police.
The lack of adequate human resources is a major
constraint confronting the Maldives as a whole. This is particularly true in
most of the environment related technical and professional areas. In the area
of pollution prevention and control there are no trained local professionals
and this is an issue that needs to be addressed as a top priority. At present,
there is also a lack of technical equipment to monitor and assess air pollution
and this issue needs to be addressed urgently as well.
In human resource development, priority will be given to
establishing and enhancing local expertise through tertiary level training and
specialised short-term training. In addition to training of staff at the
Government, capacity building efforts would also focus on the private sector
and NGOs. Raising public awareness will also be a key component of the capacity
building initiative.
To build the necessary capacity for air quality
monitoring and air pollution prevention.
Conduct a national training workshop on the science,
impacts and policy aspects relevant to air pollution.
Conduct a short term technical training programme on air
quality monitoring.
Conduct a national workshop to identify the capacity
building needs relevant to air pollution prevention and management.
Develop the infrastructure and facilities for regular air
quality monitoring and emissions monitoring.
Strengthen the Traffic Police Department and other
enforcement agencies through appropriate training programmes to enhance their
capacities to strictly enforce the regulations and standards.
Promote awareness among motorists and vehicle owners on
the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance
Develop and implement a public
awareness campaign and publish air pollution index regularly.
Conduct a comprehensive study to
investigate a long-term vehicular air pollution management programme.
The Ministry of
Home Affairs, Housing and Environment will take the lead in implementing the
Action Plan and will work jointly with other Ministries and other regulating
agencies of the Government as well as NGOs to meet the objectives of the Action
Plan
The agencies who
have primary responsibility for implementing various activities are given below
and it is the responsibility of each line agencies listed against each action
to ensure that the activities are followed within their organisations. In
defining time frame following classification is used.
Immediate – actions
that need to be started in year 2000
Short term - actions that
need to be started in year 2001
Intermediate term - actions that need to be started in
year 2003
Long term - actions that
need to be started after year 2005
The progress
evaluation and overall coordination responsibility is with the Ministry of Home
Affairs, Housing and Environment through the National Commission for the
Protection of the Environment. Progress
should be reported at the meetings of the National Commission and due action
recommended for follow up.
|
Project |
Implementing Agencies |
Time Frame |
|
Establish an ambient air quality monitoring network with
three stations (in the north, Male' region, and south), fully equipped to
monitor NOx, SO2, Ozone and CO. |
Immediate |
|
|
Initiate sampling for acid rain monitoring at the five
meteorological centres and provide proper support for the Department of
Meteorology to undertake monitoring of rainwater quality. |
Immediate |
|
|
Procure the necessary equipment for stack emission
monitoring and implement a regular programme to monitor emissions from point
sources in Male'. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment |
Short Term |
|
Initiate a random sampling programme for all categories of
vehicles in Male' and procure the necessary samplers and equipment. |
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and Ministry of
Home Affairs Housing and Environment |
Short Term |
|
Develop the necessary capacity at Ministry of Home
Affairs, Housing and Environment for air quality research, data dissemination
and networking. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment |
Intermediate |
|
Prepare a Geographic Information System (GIS) based
national inventory of air pollution. |
Long Term |
|
|
Prepare a GIS based national inventory of air pollution
emissions and a sub-inventory for Male' with all sources. |
Long Term |
|
|
Develop a time-dependent dispersion model such that the
model could predict where the pollutants are advancing along the wind
trajectory and where diffusion, transformation and deposition take place. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment and
Department of Meteorology |
Long Term |
|
Undertake damage assessment for population and assets in
the atolls where the concentration of air pollution is high due to the
transportation of the air pollutants from the transboundary movement in the
region. |
Intermediate |
|
|
Undertake a damage assessment to study the impacts on
ecological systems in the Maldives from transboundary air pollution. |
Intermediate |
|
|
Undertake a health impact assessment in Male', and
correlate epidemiological studies to the variations in air pollution. |
Ministry of Health and Department of Public Health |
Short Term |
|
Conduct a personal sampling programme in Male' to
determine air pollution exposure and also conduct sampling for indoor air
pollution exposure due to fuel wood burning in other islands. |
Ministry of Health |
Short Term |
|
Examine air pollution
prevention/abatement options for the Maldives and undertake cost-benefit
analysis for the proposed measures. |
Short Term |
|
Develop air quality guidelines and standards for
acceptable air quality. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment |
Immediate |
|
Formulate emission standards for
diesel and petrol fuelled vehicles; and for existing and new power plants and
industrial activities. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
and Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Short Term |
|
Formulate engine specification
standards for import of vehicles based on combustion efficiency, power, fuel
efficiency, etc. |
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation |
Short Term |
|
Introduce penalties for polluting
road vehicles. |
Intermediate Term |
|
|
Lower import duty for essential spare
parts required for vehicle repair, and maintenance |
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and Ministry of
Trade and Industry |
Intermediate Term |
|
Review and rationalise duty and taxes
for importation of new and reconditioned vehicles linked to polluting
potential. |
Long Term |
|
|
Establish a Vehicle Testing Centre;
to initiate voluntary inspections and introduce emission verification meters
to traffic police. |
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and Traffic
Police |
Short Term |
|
Conduct a national training workshop
on the science, impacts and policy aspects relevant to air pollution. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment, Ministry
of Science and Technology and Ministry of Education |
Short Term |
|
Conduct a short-term technical
training programme on air quality monitoring. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment and
Department of Meteorology |
Immediate Term |
|
Conduct a national workshop to
identify the capacity building needs relevant to air pollution prevention and
management. |
Short Term |
|
|
Develop the infrastructure and
facilities for regular air quality monitoring and emissions monitoring. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment and
Department of Meteorology |
Short Term |
|
Strengthen the Traffic Police
Department and other enforcement agencies through appropriate training
programmes to enhance their capacities to strictly enforce the regulations
and standards. |
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and Traffic
Police |
Short Term |
|
Promote awareness among motorists and
vehicles owners on the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance |
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home
Affairs Housing and Environment |
Short Term |
|
Develop and implement a public
awareness campaign and publish air pollution index regularly. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment and
Ministry of Information Arts and Culture |
|
|
Conduct a comprehensive study to
investigate a long-term vehicular air pollution management Programme. |
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment |
Long Term |