Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino presided over the first meeting yesterday of the management board of the planned nature and history park in an area in the northwest of Malta, known as ix-Xaghra l-Hamra.
Addressing journalists at the beginning of the meeting, Mr Pullicino said that by giving an important role to non-governmental organisations in the planning and management of the new park, the government was demonstrating its confidence in them. Their experience and enthusiasm will, he said, form an essential part of the project.
The board – which is chaired by Stanley Zammit who, as former parliamentary secretary for the environment, is well known for his credentials in the sector – is made up of six representatives – three on behalf of the government and three others on behalf of Nature Trust, Din l-Art Helwa and the Gaia Foundation respectively. Minister Pullicino said this formation would guarantee the success of the project.
The site the government is planning to develop as a park covers 2.6 square kilometres, which is five times the size of Valletta and was chosen because of its
scientific, biological and
cultural importance.
A number of different habitats with a richness of endemic flora and fauna, as well as a large number of historic sites, are also found in the area.
Mr Pullicino said the management board’s first task will consist of a consultation process with all the stakeholders and will lead to the formation of a strategy for the management of the park.
The consultation process will begin immediately and is expected to draw to a close in August.
At the same time, the management board will identify areas that fall under the footprint of the park that need to be cleaned up of bulky waste accumulated over the years. The government intends to clean up the area during the summer months, making it immediately more accessible to the public.
Meanwhile, the board will be launching a competition to identify an appropriate name and logo for the park. The winner of the competition will be awarded a trip for two to a nature park in Italy.
“The whole nature park project is a gradual process, but the government’s aim is for members of the public to start enjoying the recreation area as soon as possible. In fact, we are thinking of organising guided tours in the area as early as October,” said Mr Pullicino.
The members of the management board of the nature and history park are Stanley Zammit, chairman, Mark C. Mifsud from the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry, Chris Attard from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Albert Mamo from the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry, Martin Galea from Din l-Art Helwa, Vince Attard from Nature Trust and Rudolph Ragonesi from the Gaia Foundation.