Ramblers urge refusal at Ta Cenc

26th August 2007

 The Ramblers Association of Malta is calling for a refusal of the development application which threatens to destroy more open spaces at Ta Cenc. The Association is making a final plea for common sense to overrule speculative greed. The Association argues that with last year?s extension of the development zones, projects of such magnitude outside development zones should simply not be entertained. Extending the construction of villas on the unbuilt plateau outside the designated development zone would be a shameful collapse of all the principles which environment NGOs have fought for to preserve such areas for posterity.

The proponents of the project are proposing the development of a new hotel, 38 villas at the picturesque Mgarr ix-Xini, and 33 bungalows over Ta? Cenc.

Ramblers Secretary Alex Vella said ?We are not against development within the footprint of the existing hotel limits and their immediate vicinity, as long as they are within the bounds of reason. But the proposal of the developer is disproportionate, not only to the Ta? Cenc area but to the the whole of Gozo. Today?s improved awareness of the importance of the natural environment and of open spaces simply make the proposal unacceptable?

RAM calls on the government to declare the whole of the green area at Ta Cenc as protected, not just a few meters bordering the sea-cliffs. Protection as originally proposed to the EU, and later withdrawn, should come into force without delay.

RAM also considers the omission from the EIA of a considerable area known as "Zone 7", the possible location of a future golf course to boost the first phase of rural urbanisation, as unacceptable. The two are obviously linked both geographically and economically, therefore they must be looked at holistically rather than in isolation. The decision on the present application should not be taken without viewing Phase I and Phase II as a whole since one would depend on the other but the cart is being put before the horse in an attempt to run it through MEPA in piecemeal fashion.

Ramblers Association of Malta is calling for a full investigation of any meetings which led to agreements between the developers and MEPA officials between 2002 and 2004. Particular attention should be given to determining whether alleged attempts to cover up or discourage access to letters documenting the outcome of the negotiations were not unintentional. The Association is calling on government to reawaken an earlier proposal to list Ta Cenc as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as befits this natural gem.

Public access to the area enjoyed by generations and the right to roam must be protected for this rich natural and archeological site. RAM regrettably notes that the developers on more than one occasion in the past refused entry or accosted members of the public from enjoying their right to enjoyment of the countryside in the area.

The secretary concluded: ?Protecting a few meters along the cliff edge does not make sense and will only prolong the present uncertain state of affairs, which is detrimental both to developer and to civil society. It is high time that the Authorities put an end to the unhealthy debate, declare to the developer the undisputed limitations of his rights according to established legislation, and protect civil society from further harassment in the enjoyment of their rights to roam.?

Ramblers Association of Malta
http://www.ramblersmalta.jointcomms.com/

 

 

RAM Concern over Bahrija Fire

4th August 2007

 The Ramblers Association of Malta expresses its serious concern at the trail of destruction left by fires, which destroyed a large swathe of open public land and coastline at Ras ir-Raheb, limits of Bahrija, on Friday evening.

Although it is unclear whether the fire was started accidentally or not, RAM noted that the fire destroyed a variety of vegetation including large populations of esparto grass on the clay slopes in the area. Esparto grass (Lygeum spartum) is an important element of clay slope vegetation as this species is essential in keeping clay erosion and subsequent rock falls to a minimum. The blackened landscape has diminished the visual quality of the area considerably for the immediate future.

RAM calls for increased monitoring of the area, more so in view of repeated acts of vandalism and illegal activities reported earlier this year by other NGOs in the Bahrija environs. RAM would also like to appeal to the general public to be vigilant and report such occurrences, irrespective of whether they are accidental or deliberate acts.
 

Ramblers welcomes Nature Park proposal

13th May 2007

Ramblers Association of Malta welcomes the long awaited decision to abandon the plans for a golf course at Xaghra l-Hamra and the announcement that the area will be turned into a Nature and History Park. Ramblers also notes with satisfaction that the Prime Minister has rethought his previous erroneous perception of the area as wasteland and is now correctly referring to the site as an ecological jewel.

Ramblers has for the past two years highlighted the scenic beauty and ecological importance of this area by being the first NGO to organise restricted participation walks in the area - with walk leaders highlighting particular features of this pristine area. During the last such activity held earlier this year a group of visiting Scottish Ramblers were also introduced to the area.

Ramblers augurs that the proposed park will be managed by employed and dedicated personnel from local NGOs and will succeed in obtaining the necessary funding from the EU.

Ramblers strongly urge permanent spring hunt ban

12th May 2007

Ramblers Association of Malta welcomes the early ending of the spring hunting season after yet another atrocious act of violence toward nature.

RAM sees this initiative as a very positive move on the part of the authorities and, far from being a hasty decision, could not have come too soon.

The atrocities of the past week revealed wilful violence against trees and protected birds. This has finally prodded the authorities over the edge with decisive action to draw Malta back into the civilised world and end the practice of hunting in Spring.

While encouraging all bona fide ramblers to enjoy the countryside with responsibility the Ramblers hold that it is inconceivable that government appears even at this point to envisage itself indulging in future fence-hopping on hunting.

Following the highly commendable move of the ban, RAM appeals to the authorities not to collapse under election pressures and back track on this decision. Rather than sliding away from European unity over protection of wild birds the Maltese government should reassure the electorate that the ban on hunting in spring is a permanent one. Anything short of this will reveal what was thought initially to be a courageous action as merely a cosmetic one to benefit the political party in power.

 

Condemnation of Vandalism at Foresta 2000 Site

The Ramblers' Association of Malta strongly condemns the systematic destruction of 3000 pine saplings at the Foresta 2000 site at Ghadira after the hard work put in this site by Birdlife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa and the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment over the last few years. RAM notices with dismay that this is the latest in a series of ever escalating environmental crimes and calls on the relevant authorities to take this threat seriously as it augurs very negatively for Malta's environmental future.

RAM is recommending that the Government offers a substantial financial reward to any information leading to a successful prosecution of the perpetrators of this national crime. This destruction is a loss not just for the people of these Islands but more so for future generations. Therefore this criminal act becomes all the more serious when seen in this perspective. RAM is also calling on the general public to report on any environmental infringements whenever and wherever these are noticed.

Ramblers Association of Malta
10th May 2007
 

See photo and article in The Times

Joint release issued by NGOs 15th May 2007

Click here to view the joint release issued by NGOs: Ramblers' Association, BirdLife, Friends of the Earth, Din l-Art Helwa, Nature Trust and The Gaia Foundation calling on political parties to unite.

 

Infringement Unit Meeting

EU ENVIRONMENT INFRINTEMENTS UNIT MEETS NGOs

At the invitation of the EU Environment Commission, the environment NGOs Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth and Ramblers' Association of Malta have held a long and positive meeting with the EU Environment Infringements Unit, as part of the Unit's annual visit to Malta, held to review Malta's environmental progress and ongoing Infringement proceedings.

During the meeting Malta's environment situation was discussed at length and Mme. Blin, Joint Head of the Unit, said that the EU is concerned about the high number of complaints from Malta, whose infringements are amongst the highest of the countries in the last intake into the EU. The delegation also shared the NGOs' doubts about the Rationalisation plans and the Local Plans in terms of the way in which the SEA Directive has been implemented. In fact the EU has commenced infringement proceedings on the Rationalisation plans after the above-mentioned NGOs and other parties opened a Court Case and raised the issue in Brussels.

The new EIA regulations which are being contested by the NGOs came under close scrutiny, while issues of inadequate Public Consultation and lack of public access to environmental information were also discussed. The EU delegation agreed that other problems that need to be addressed include the over-exploitation of groundwater and the Energy Efficiency in Buildings regulations which have been transposed but are not being implemented.

Mme. Blin concluded the meeting by stating that the strength of the Infringements Unit lies in its open-door policy to civil society and the importance it gives to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), saying that this first meeting will not be a one-off but part of an
ongoing consultation with Maltese civil society groups.

Also present at the meeting were the representatives from Nature Trust (Malta) and International Animal Rescue.
 

L to R: Prof E.A. Mallia, Friends of the Earth; Patrick Wegerdt, EU; Vince Attard, NatureTrust (Malta); Astrid Vella, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar; Joanna Drake, Head of EU Representation, Malta; Ing Paul Cardona, FAA; Mme. Marie-Claude Blin, Joint Head of the Infringements Unit, EU; Alex Vella, Ramblers' Association of Malta; and Mr. Max Farrugia, International Animal Rescue. (Ing Marco Cremona of FoE is absent from the photograph)
 

Vandalism on Sanap Cliffs

Ramblers condemn council's vandalism: The Rambler's Association of Malta strongly condemns the recent works carried out by the Munxar Local Council on the cliffs at is-Sanap, Gozo.

It seems that, after the quarry-sand pollution at Mgarr ix-Xini some years ago, local councils are vying with each other to wreak irreversible damage on the natural environment. This time, The Munxar council decided to lay a concrete pathway on pristine cliffs. One can imagine the impossible task of bringing the cliffside back to the state it was in before this act of sheer vandalism.

This sort of thing, coming from people in authority, boggles the mind and beggars description. In the light of this latest large-scale vandalism, RAM feels the authorities need to answer some questions:

 

Are local councils being run by complete dilettantes and amateurs? What are the Mayor and Secretary doing in the council? Has a complete ignorance of the law become a prerequisite for local councillors? Or is this simply an act of sheer and crass arrogance from people who do not care an iota about the sensibilities of the general population? What is the Local Council Association doing about this blatant disregard of regulations? What action is the central government going to take? Can local councils totally disregard the rule of the land and get away scot-free? What message does the ordinary citizen get from this behaviour? Is the message simply that accountability is nonexistent in these islands?

In this serious case of flouting of the law, the transgressors should be financially penalised and their position in the council terminated forthwith. The fines should be hefty enough to serve as a deterrent, and should come out of their personal pockets, and not from our taxes.

RAM intends to organize a walk in the area in the near future where walkers will be able to compare the beauty of the natural cliffside terrain with this execrable "enhancement"

Ramblers Association of Malta
http://www.ramblersmalta.jointcomms.com/

 

Right of Access at Munxar

Ramblers' Association of Malta24, Sir Adrian Dingli Street,
Sliema, Malta.
Tel/Fax: 21342121,
E-mail: ram205@gmail.com



25 April 2006

The Hon. Tonio Borg,
Ministry for Justice & Home Affairs,
Auberge d'Aragon,
Valletta

Sir,

Re:  Right of Access at Munxar.With regard to your statements made in Parliament last November in reply to the Parliamentary Question put by the Hon. Evarist Bartolo, regarding access to the local countryside, the Ramblers' Association of Malta respectfully brings to your attention the clear and straight position at Munxar where nothing should stand in the way for the competent Government authorities to take the necessary action to ensure right of way to the general public and stop the illegality that is presently hindering rambling on the promontory. Following investigations with the Estates Management Division our Association has documentary evidence in the form of public deeds that show that the War Department in 1941 purchased such right of way in perpetuity from the owners, which right was confirmed with the same Estates Management Division as deriving to the Maltese Government after Independence, and not having been surrendered in any way by subsequent governments since then.  

For the purpose we refer you to the deed dated 19 July 1941 in the records of Notary Public Edward Calleja Schembri, between the War Department and the heirs of Baron Angiolino Attard Montaldo, represented by Anthony Carabott.

The plan attached to deed is evidence enough that there exists a public right of way, and also illustrates other rights of way existing at that time that still remain to this day and age, until the successors by title to the Attard Montaldo estate started abusing of such rights and depriving the general public from access to the foreshore and beaches there.

The Association is given to understand by the owners themselves that organized hunting for farmed quail is taking place on the promontory, without permit and with total disregard to the law stipulating distances from public paths and direction of aim, with the perpetrators signalling with red flags that ramblers walk at their risk and showering with lead pellets the public way.  

Although the Association understands the gist of your statement made in parliament that not all cases are straightforward and the issue is complicated, matters are not to be permitted to be obscured for speculative or selfish concerns where the situation is crystal clear.

Ironically the situation goes diametrically opposite to the declaration contained in the Sustainable Development Strategy Report, (Third Draft), discussed at the National Conference on Sustainable Development Programme last Saturday, 22nd April 2006, introduced by the Hon. Prime Minister.

On page 27 under 3.1.7 Marine and Coastal Environment it is stated:

The enjoyment of coastal areas depends on accessibility.  Some areas are not accessible due to land ownership issues.  Most, and mainly those rocky or cliff-faced coastal areas of major scenic and natural value, are not accessible due to hunting and trapping activities.  Measures need to be taken so that access to the coast is possible, whether the land is private or owned by Government.

On page 34 under 3.1.11 Leisure and the Environment it is maintained:

Places that combine leisure with enjoyment of the natural environment could be a source o improved health and therefore accessibility to such places should be improved.  Due to hunting and trapping practices and other ownership issues, the enjoyment of the countryside is often seriously impaired with negative impacts also impinging on the Tourism industry.  It is therefore desirable that public footpaths are identified in the countryside and false claims to land title checked.  Paths that are abusively closed to the public should be opened.

The Association trusts that reports made at huge public expense are intended to be followed and not just to be shelved. So it is hoped that your Ministry will tackle such issues proactively, and in future it will be bringing them to your attention for action forthwith, as it feels in duty bound.

Yours truly,
Alex Vella
Hon. Secretary

Cc: Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. Minister of Rural Affairs,  Hon. Ev. Bartolo,   Commissioner of Police, Chairman NCSD, Chairman MTA, Director of Lands,
Media, Members RAM

Rambler threatened at Ta Cenc

The Ramblers' Association of Malta regrets that the last day of their enjoyable weekend spent in Gozo was marred by an incident that was reported by one member who claims that he was accosted in a rather violent manner by the two owners of the Ta' Cenc Hotel upon his early arrival on the Ta' Cenc promontory where the Association organised its last walk this morning. Arriving earlier than the rest of the group of about fifty, the member states that he was threatened and pushed about by Mr Victor Borg and Mr Saviour Cremona when he informed that he was joining the projected walk. Dutifully the member drove straight to the police-station in Victoria where he lodged a report.

The Ramblers' Association of Malta strongly condemns the violence committed and any other uncivil behaviour towards ramblers enjoying the countryside and the national heritage, especially after noting that the glorious day had brought out many other visitors on the promontory.
It is to be said that after the report with the police was lodged Mr Borg and Mr Cremona drove past the group walking the dirt road several times during the walk without passing as much as a comment or warning.

Ramblers attend Prime Minister's dialogue meeting

On Wednesday 22 February, three representatives from the Ramblers attended a dialogue meeting with the Prime Minister of Malta. The subject of the dialogue meeting was "Benefits from the EU funds for the Environment".  During this meeting, among other things, we raised the issue of a map of Malta, delineating all of Malta's country roads and paths, and, most importantly, stating which ones are private or public pathways. Apart from what is mentioned in the article, the PM, in his closing speech, specifically noted our request, and promised to give it the attention it merits. Read the complete Times of Malta article in pdf

Illegal off-roading at Wied Incita

The Ramblers Association of Malta has drawn the attention of the authorities concerned to the illegal practice of off-roading on garigue and maquis in valleys around Malta - most recently (30th December 2005) at Wied Incita limits of Attard, where four vehicles were noticed attempting to climb over rocks in a sensitive area of the valley.


Wied Incita's steep coralline valley sides still harbour a good variety of plant and animal life including endemic, rare and protected species.

 

In order to discourage this illegal practice, RAM is calling for protective bollards to be installed. RAM also intends to organise a guided walk to this valley in the coming months with the intention of raising awareness for the need to protect such areas.