A number of Holm Oak Trees (Sigar Tal-Ballut) that have been cut down in Lija to make way for road works have raised concern amongst residents.
Lija Local Council Mayor Magda Magri Naudi told The Malta Independent that she has received calls from many people regarding the cutting of these trees, which are being removed for Government road works.
People yesterday witnessed trucks being loaded full of branches in the vicinity of the Lija Cemetry. A witness told this newspaper how the trees "are over one hundred years old, probably even more."
A press release published by Transport Malta last Monday stated that the road works being carried out consist of the 'realignment and widening of parts of Triq il-Mosta, Triq in-Naxxar and Triq il-Kbira.' They stated that the works are expected to be ready in a few weeks time.
Magri Naudi informed this newspaper that, in accordance with the law, the trees are being replaced by the planting of another ten trees of choice in both Lija and Iklin, in the locations selected by the Council.
Replying to questions sent by this newspaper regarding permits, a spokesperson from the ERA said, "the site in question is within scheme, is not an Urban Conservation Area (UCA) nor a protected area. Thereby, given that the species of the trees (Quercus ilex) are listed in Schedule II, these specimens are not protected through the Trees and Woodlands (Protection) Regulations, 2011 and no permit from ERA is required for their removal from this site. Nonetheless, as a good practice, as part of ERA's no objection issued, Transport Malta (TM) were made to compensate for the removal through donation of a number of trees to the local councils."
According to the Trees and Woodland Protection Regulations, the tree forms part of the list of 'trees which are protected in selected areas', and is 'protected within protected areas and in ODZ'. The regulations go on to say that, "all trees of more than 50 years of age are protected within protected areas, in Outside Development Zones (ODZ) and Urban Conservation Areas (UCA).
