Proposed Domaine de Grand Baie Residential Development

- EIA Report

1.0 INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY and LEGAL FRAMEWORK

1.1 INTRODUCTION

With the ageing population globally, the typical family homes or retirement housing,
may not be appropriate to the particular needs of older people. There is a need to
develop and design housing to be adaptable to the ever changing needs of home
owners as they age, i.e. location, configuration, access to essential services, etc.

A healthy and viable retirement living industry is sine qua non to the well-being of our
ageing population. There is a need to care and house our elderly. In this context, New
Futures Ltd is in the process of property development on agricultural land for a
retirement village that will provide housing which will enable the owners to live their
chosen lifestyle after retirement. The said company envisages the property
development on 21,774m2 (5A16p) of land at Grand Baie.

In order to assess the current status of the environment and the likely impacts which
may be caused due to the proposed developmental activities of the Retirement Village
at Grand Baie, New Futures Ltd sought the services of Servansingh Jadav and
Partners Consulting Engineers Ltd as Civil/Structural Engineering and EIA Consultant
for undertaking Environmental Impact Assessment and preparation of Environmental
Management Plan for the project.

1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The parent company of New Futures Ltd, 2Futures is a leading Grand Baie based Real
Estate Development Company and has created high-end residential, commercial, land
and mixed-use projects. Founded in 2007, 2Futures has developed properties with the
main vision of having a positive impact and improving lives. Each of their development
is selected with a specific vision in mind.

2Futures has ventured into several high end apartments, townhouses, luxury
residences and villas in Mauritius. A few are listed below:

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• Cape Bay (delivered in 2011) – 49 apartments with facilities such as gym, lap
pool and concierge service.

• Element Bay Beach (Phase I delivered in 2012) – 43 apartments, all of which

sold out. Phase II will be delivered end of 2015.

• La Residence (delivered in 2013) – 24 townhouses in Grand Baie

• Grand Baie Business Quarter – commercial property along Chemin Vingt

Pieds incorporating contemporary design.

• AO (delivered in 2015) – 29 luxury residences, villas and townhouses situated

at Merville Beach

These projects undertaken by the 2Futures has positioned 2Futures as a major player
in the upscale property development market in Mauritius.

2Futures and their partner, the group AEGIDE who is a world leader in the provision of
senior living solutions, have conducted research into the Grand Baie market for the
past 3 years. The concept of senior living has been identified as feasible in Grand Baie
as there are no facility for foreign senior citizens.

2Futures’ vision is to develop a serviced residence specifically designed to offer a

unique quality of life to independent senior citizens with appropriate access to essential
services.

This vision is in line with the Government’s vision “to improve the well-being of senior
citizens and promote activities and projects for their welfare with regard to their rights
to dignity and independence.”

The project proposal “Domaine de Grand Baie RES” has been approved by the Board
of Investment (BOI) as a Real Estate Scheme under the Investment Promotion Act
2000 and the Investment (Real Estate Development Scheme) Regulations 2007 (Refer
to Annex 1 for copy of letter from BOI).

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1.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT

The current proposal is justified on the following considerations:

1) Improve well-being of senior citizens with regard to dignity and independence,
2) Democratise and empower land access and home ownership,
3) Provide specialised service for the senior citizens,
4) Generate job opportunities for informal and formal social activities, care and
support services,
5) Create an integrated environment with the provision of social amenities in a
sustainable framework.
6) Provide a decent and planned environment to enhance Quality Living.
7) Bring together the above elements with a view to creating a sense of Happy
Home Owners by ensuring a peaceful retirement with all the care required by
the senior citizens.
8) Develop a new opportunities in an emerging market relating to the “silver
economy”, i.e. population segment aged 60 and above.

1.4 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE EIA STUDY

The purpose of the EIA Study is to ensure that development options under
consideration are environmentally sound and sustainable and that the environmental
consequences of the project are recognized early and taken into account in the project
design.

The major objective of this study was to establish present environmental conditions of
the project area through available data/information supported by field studies,
wherever necessary; to predict the impacts on relevant environmental attributes due to
the construction and operation of the proposed project, to suggest appropriate and
adequate mitigation measures to minimize/reduce adverse impacts and to prepare the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report including Environmental Management
Plan (EMP) for timely implementation and scheduling of the mitigation measures.

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1.5 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

1.5.1 Administrative Framework

The Government through specific legislations regulates the environmental

management system in Mauritius. The statutory bodies responsible for ensuring
environmental compliance by project promoters include:

• The National Environment Commission

• Department of Environment
• The Environment Coordination Committee
• EIA Committee

1.5.2 Legal Framework

Following acts, laws, rules and guidelines are applicable for the project under study:
1. The Environment Protection Act 2002
2. National Environmental Standards
3. Codes and Guidelines for monitoring and analysis of environmental parameters.
4. Planning Policy Guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing and Lands in
November 2004, revised in September 2006.

The Environment Protection Act 2002 (as amended in 2008), is the most
comprehensive law on the subject including Environmental Impact Assessment, Spill
and Environmental Emergency, National Environmental Standards, and Coastal and
Maritime Zone Management. The law grants power to the Government to take all
measures necessary to protect and improve the quality of environment and to prevent
pollution of the environment.

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1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING AND SCOPING

The objectives of the screening are:

• To determine whether the project requires statutory environmental licence, no
objection certificates and consents depending on its type, location and scale.
• To determine the appropriate extent and type of study required for the EIA.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Licence

The proposed undertaking is Housing Projects and Apartments above 50 units within
1km of high water mark which is listed in Part B of the Revised Fifth Schedule (Section
15(2)) of the Environmental Protection Act 2002, made by Government Notice No. 142
of 2006). Part IV of the Act provides inter alia that no proponent shall commence,
proceed with, carry out, execute, or conduct or cause to be commenced, proceeded
with, carried out, executed or conducted an undertaking specified in Part B of the Fifth
Schedule to the Act without an EIA licence and that any proponent who contravenes
these provisions shall commit an offence.
The Act further provides that a proponent applying for an EIA licence shall submit to
the Director of Environment an EIA report.

Therefore, after screening under the regulations set in the Act, following steps are now
required to be undertaken:

• EIA licence through application and submission of the EIA report to the
Department of Environment

Action has been initiated for obtaining necessary commitments for inputs and statutory
clearances.

The scope of the EIA includes:

• Collection and review of available secondary literature/data/information on
physical, biological and social environment in the study area (area of influence
around the project site) on geology, soil, land-use, drainage, meteorology, flora and
fauna, and socio-economics

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• Field study, survey and monitoring in the study area for generation of some
necessary primary data on soil, percolation and flora & fauna.
• Establishment of baseline environmental status/condition of the study area
• Study of the project activities in terms of construction and operation to identify the
potential sources/causes of impacts
• Identification and assessment of potential impacts on the environment during
construction and operation of the project
• Recommendation of preventive, mitigation, compensatory and enhancement
measures to eliminate/minimize the adverse impacts
• Formulation of an effective Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to ensure the
implementation of mitigation measures for environmental sustainability

1.7 EIA METHODOLOGY

An EIA study basically includes establishment of the present environmental scenario,

study of the specific activities related to the project and evaluation of the probable
environmental impacts, thus, leading to the recommendations of necessary
environmental control measures.

Immediately on award of the work, the study team was mobilized and subsequently a
reconnaissance survey was made by the experts in the study team for examination of
the site and its surrounding environment and identification of critical environmental
aspects. Relevant environmental secondary data has been collected to provide the
overview and details of the study area. The secondary data has been appropriately
supplemented with primary data collection. A comprehensive database was established
after completion of both primary and secondary data. The environmental impacts
associated with construction and operation of proposed project were then determined
through appropriate impact prediction tools and procedures and the required mitigation
devised accordingly. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was formulated for
implementing the proposed mitigation measures as well as institutional arrangements
required for the purpose.

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The major environmental disciplines in this EIA study include geology, soil, land use,
drainage, water quality, meteorology, air quality, noise, flora, fauna and socio-
economics. The entire EIA study has been carried out within existing policy, legal and
administrative framework considering the applicable environmental legislation,
regulations and guidelines.

1.7.1 Collection of Secondary Data

Besides inputs from the client on relevant information about the project, other
secondary data sources (Governmental, educational and other institutions) have been
identified and relevant secondary data and published literature with respect to physical,
biological and human environment of the study area has been collected from various
agencies like:

• The Meteorological Services

• Forestry Departments
• Central Statistics Office
• Municipal Council and District Council
• Department of Environment
• Ministry of Housing and Lands

Available published secondary data and records have been collected on the following
aspects:
• Geology and topography of the study area including geological setting and
topography.
• Soil and agriculture in the study area including type and characteristics of soil, and
cropping pattern.
• Land Use patterns (forests, agricultural land etc.) from the available Central
Statistics Office.
• Hydrology and Drainage: Published data/reports on drainage, high flood level and
surface water hydrology of the area have been collected from the relevant
organisations.

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• Past meteorological data for parameters such as temperature, relative humidity,

rainfall, wind speed and wind direction, and weather phenomena from the
Meteorological Services.
• Flora and fauna: The baseline data on flora and fauna has been collected from
existing literature of Forestry Department and earlier studies conducted in the
area.
• Socio-economic features prevalent in the study area available from the Central
Statistics Office for establishing the demographic profile, occupational pattern and
infrastructure facilities and amenities available.
• Sensitive Areas: Environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas like river
reserves, important lakes, biosphere reserves and nature parks, places/sites of
cultural, religious and tourist interests in the area has been identified.

1.7.2 Field Study/Monitoring for Generation of Primary Data

The secondary data collected has been appropriately supplemented by conducting the
necessary primary data collections through field study/monitoring on:

• Monitoring of soil characteristics, infiltration rate and depth of ground water table at
identified locations within the project site has been conducted.
• Flora and fauna of the area have been identified and listed through representative
field survey. Rare and endangered species of plants and animals, if any have been
identified

1.7.3 Establishment of Baseline Environmental Status

The baseline environmental status/conditions of the study area have been established
through:
• Review of existing published secondary data/literature/information collected
• Analysis of primary data generated/collected through field study, survey and
monitoring

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1.7.4 Environmental Impact Assessment

The environmental assessment has been conducted in accordance with the norms and
guidelines of the Department of Environment and other relevant Ministries and
Government Bodies. Impact assessment has been carried out after establishing the
baseline status of the study area and analysis of the project data/activities. At this
stage, the data analysis and impact assessment has been performed. Wherever
practicable, a quantitative analysis has been performed. The project’s activities have
been linked with the existing baseline environmental conditions in order to short list the
affected environmental parameters and assess the likely impacts on such parameters.
Compliance of the project with national standards has been duly checked. Following
aspects has been given due importance during assessment of impacts and
recommending remedial measures:

• Site preparation and topographical changes

• Water requirement and sources
• Loss of flora during construction and compensatory plantation
• Noise, dust and water logging near construction sites
• Nature, quantity and disposal of construction spoils
• Public health and sanitation, and occupational health and safety of construction
workers
• Environmental, social, economic and cultural effects

1.7.5 Preparation of Environmental Management Plan

Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is the key to ensure a safe and clean
environment. The desired results from the environmental mitigation measures
proposed in the project may not be obtained without a management plan to assure its
proper implementation and function. The EMP envisages the plans for the proper
implementation of mitigation measures to reduce the adverse impacts arising out of the
project activities. The following issues have been addressed in the EMP:

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• Preventive, mitigation, compensatory and enhancement measures for minimization

and abatement of the undesirable impacts caused during the construction and
operation stage.
• Details of management plans (compensatory plantation, solid waste management
plan, occupational safety and health plan etc.) including their implementation
schedule and supervision programme.
• Identified/recommended institutional set up for implementation of the EMP including
institutional strengthening and training.
• Environmental monitoring programme during construction and operation phase
including parameters, locations and frequency of monitoring, suggested monitoring
equipment and facilities, and their implementation programme to be undertaken.

1.8 SCOPE AND STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT

This EIA report is prepared on the basis of the available secondary data/literature
along with the on-site primary data. The report contains analysis of primary and
secondary data, environmental impact assessment, mitigation measures, and EMP. The
structure of the report complete with necessary tables, drawings and annexes is as
follows:

Chapter 1 : Introduction, Methodology and Legal Framework

Chapter 2 : Project Description
Chapter 3 : Baseline Environmental Scenario
Chapter 4 : Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Chapter 5 : Environmental Management Plan

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