RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES AND PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED FISHING HARBOUR AT CHELLANUM

Funding Agency: Harbour Engineering Department, Government of Kerala

As a part of development of fishing industries, the Government of Kerala is implementing the programme of construction of many new Fishing Harbours (FH) and Fish Landing Centres (FLC), for providing landing and berthing facilities for mechanized boats and traditional vessels in Kerala coast. The Harbour Engineering Department (HED), which is responsible for construction of FHs & FLCs in the State, has identified several sites in Kerala coast for this purpose. One of such site is at Chellanam in Ernakulam district. The project aims to develop the Chellanum fishing gap in Ernakulam District of Kerala State, to a full-fledged fishing harbour.

These study aims to carry out assessment of environmental impacts, its quantification and to develop an environmental management plan for Proposed Fishing Harbour at Chellanum in Ernakulam district to enable the Harbour Engineering Department to obtain environmental clearances from concerned local, State and Central Government authorities. The environmental assessments are to be carried out in keeping with the applicable guidelines and notifications of the regulatory agencies. The rapid environmental impact assessment study report was prepared mainly by incorporating the secondary data available for the area, primary data collected (restricted to gathering public opinion about project, collection of data on air and noise and visual and cursory observation on biodiversity, environmental issues pertaining to the area), and the environmental impact statement based on identification, prediction and evaluation of impacts, etc.

A thorough analysis of the collected data revealed that most of the environmental issues related to the project are of temporary in nature. Significant damage to the ecosystem due to the implementation of the project is not expected and the minor, long term effects identified are unavoidable and mitigation measures are suggested for this to minimize the effect. Strict aadherence to the Environmental Management Plan is a necessity, for which institutional and local arrangements are suggested.