The Majjistral Park Federation, made up of Nature Trust Malta, Din l-Art Helwa and the Gaia Foundation is in disbelief at Monday’s decision in Parliament which saw the main political parties agree that further consultation is necessary regarding the October 27 Legal Notice by which hunting hours were substantially increased within the first legally constituted Nature Park in the Maltese Islands.
The Board of Majjistral had unanimously recommended to Government that extending hours went against the very reason for the Park’s existence, while the Federation, that manages the Park, had expressed its hope that MPS would find it within their conscience to vote for a reversal of the extension. Instead, says the Federation, it is clear from yesterday’s discussion that both leading parties intend to continue destroying the environment not to protect it.
The situation is rendered even more absurd now that government has just approved long awaited funds to improve park facilities. The Federation, together with the Board, will be working to implement improvements that will, in essence, be enjoyed mainly by hunters and trappers. Hunting and trapping were already allowed till 10am and this was an equitable compromise found in 2013. Extending these hours yet again has meant the public is denied the freedom to enjoy the park, one of the few open spaces left in Malta on most days in autumn and whenever the hunting season is open. This park has become a glorified hunting and trapping ground further extending the hunting grounds of Ahrax and Mizieb, the federation said.
The federation further expressed its disappointment at Minister Herrera who is reported to have said that he has received no complaints about the situation from the public. There have been over 4000 petitions sent to Minister Herrera personally on his email in the last few weeks asking him to revoke the new hours, a number that grows daily and which cannot be denied.
In this context, the 3 NGO’s that manage Majjistral, find that yesterday’s debacle in Parliament has further undermined the potential of the Park to be a showcase for local biodiversity and a public space for the relaxed appreciation and study of nature. Until there can be agreement, conclude Din l-Art Helwa, the Gaia Foundation and Nature Trust, that votes are less important than the natural environment, destruction of the natural heritage will continue and with it any hopes of protecting one of the only open spaces left on the island.