Environmental Impacts on Hambantota Sea Port

By R.L.C. Livera 

The Port of Hambantota, also known as ‘Magampura’ is situated about 19 nautical miles north of the key shipping route between the Malacca Strait and the Suez Canal, which links Asia and Europe. Harbor is located at the mouth of Karagan Lewaya and occupies the entire area of the Lewaya. Immediate purpose of the project is to establish an oil import/bunkering terminal to cater to the needs of ship bunkering at the route south of Sri Lanka, in long term port will be developed as a major industrial port in the Southern Province in Sri Lanka and to become one of the major multipurpose ports and be a gateway to India and surrounding countries. 

Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out for systematic identification, prediction and evaluation of the project on physical, chemical, biological, cultural, socio-economic components of the environment and to incorporate environmentally sound development during planning and decision making process. EIA process of this project was carried out in accordance with the specific requirements of the Sri Lanka EIA process, as set out in the Terms of Reference (ToR) issued by the Coastal Conservation Department  of Sri Lanka.

The project of Hambantota Sea Port consist of main four phases as initial phase (2010), short term phase (2015), medium term phase (2025), long term phase (beyond 2040). From these the initial phase was completed in 2011 which was initiated in 15th January 2008. The estimated cost of this phase was US$ 361 million.

In the EIA report the environment characteristics existed in the project area before initiation of the project is analyzed according to physical environment, ecological environment and socio-economic environment. And the impacts associated with project are also mentioned in three categories as physical impacts, socio- economic and ecological impacts. Mitigatory measures which are planned to be adopted are also analyzed in the EIA report to minimize the impacts in construction, planning and operating stages.

Physical impacts	Mitigatory measures adopted
Deterioration of coastal water quality due to dredging and excavation work of breakwaters and jetties (Construction phase)	All dredging activities and dumping of dredging material was carried out when the wave climate was not too severe(during NE Monsoon period) Avoid exposure of released material to direct air to minimize volatilization of organic chemicals
Disposal of excavated materials and other debris arising during construction (Construction phase)	These sediments were utilized for land reclamation purposes as a filling material
Impacts at the quarry sites with dust emission (Construction phase)	Minimized by wetting and wet spraying of dusty surfaces, carefully stockpiling construction and quarry materials to avoid unnecessary dust and covering against wind and rain. All quarrying activities were carried out in consultation with GSMB under provisions of Mine and Minerals Act No 33 of 1992
Impacts on air and water quality	Counting air blast over pressure and water quality measurement periodically
Impacts on coastal water quality due to spillage of construction materials (Construction phase)	Reduce possible spillage of grease, oil leaks from vehicles, earth moving equipment, hydraulic machinery and washing of unprotected core materials of breakwaters and jetties. Effects are temporary, materials rapidly settles
Impacts from noise and vibrations at quarry site from rock blasting, vibrations, shocks from blasting and construction activities such as pile driving and blasting (Construction phase)	Quarry sites are not located in the vicinity of noise and vibration sensitive areas, especially residential areas Explosive activities prohibited to avoid significant damage to buildings Noise generating equipment restricted only during day time and special vibration less techniques

Ecological Impacts	Mitigatory measures adopted
Impacts on marine ecology (construction phase)	Vibration less rock blasting methods were adopted, construction machinery and vessels were well maintained to prevent leakage of oil, fuel and lubricants.
Impacts on survival of birds and wildlife in Karagam Lewaya, important wetland habitat (construction and operational phase)	No dumping of dredged material in open areas to avoid impacts on birds and wildlife
Impacts on terrestrial fauna from dumping of household waste, waste generated by workforce, waste water and sewage (construction and operational phase)	Facilitate for waste water disposal in worker’s quarters, canteens and avoid contamination of Karagam Lewaya and immediate sea environment , semi or fully automated solid waste collection systems

Socio-economic Impacts	Mitigatory measures adopted
Relocation and resettlement of residences (Construction phase)	The valuation department has valued their properties (lands, houses and etc.) and paid compensations and also given land lots in a different locations
Impacts on agriculture (Construction and Operational phase)	Not much impact on agriculture in the project area as agriculture is not much done in project area
Impacts on archeological sites (Construction and Operational phase)	No specific sites of interest have been identified with the area subject to major constructions work both in land and sea.
Impacts on fishing community	No difficulty for fishermen to continue their fishing activities in the sea area close to the harbour. Only a small area of coastal belt was disturbed due to the development activities. Affected fishermen were identified and paid off with compensation under Phase 1 of the project.
Impacts from movement of sea water /fresh water interface in land	Lands cannot be used for cultivation therefore can be used for other purposes such as development of industrial zone
Impacts from noise and vibrations related to traffic	Proper traffic management, proper vehicle maintenance

Cost and benefit analysis done for the project is also included in the report in order to measure the costs and benefits associated with the port development project.

There are both negative and positive impacts from the Hambantota Sea Port. Positive impacts from the project are new employment opportunities, Development of infrastructure in the area, improvement of quality of life, resettlement of residents with better facilities, contribution to economic growth , development of tourism in the area, increased capacity for port traffic requirements, enhance export earnings via improvement of maritime transportation  and establishment of export companies, attraction of foreign investment.

But there are many negative impacts also such as destruction of terrestrial habitats of flora and fauna, irreversible impacts from alteration of Karagam Lewaya in to the sea port, negative impression on tourists by destruction of wildlife and habitats of Sri Lanka, problems in achieving anticipated costs and benefits by the Government, high interest rates for resettlement of loans taken for development of Hambantota Sea Port from China EXIM bank, additional expenses for vehicle importers to transport vehicles from Hambantota to areas such as Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala etc., no charges are charged for unloading of vehicles, therefore less income for SLPA.