Environment Minister Jose Herrera said today that Malta cannot afford to take the countryside for granted.

He delivered a speech during the closing conference on the LIFE+ Natura project for Buskett, aimed at stabilising soils so as to protect present Annex 1 habitats. The project focused on the Buskett Woodland area. The project area is a Natura 2000 classified site, and is an important bird sanctuary, an area of high ecological importance, and a national monument protected by the Cultural Heitage Act.

Buskett and the surrounding area is also important as it is a concentration roosting point for migratory birds of prey, many of which are of international importance.

This project, which is part funded by the European Union Life+ programme, aims to protect and enhance the habitats of this largest semi-natural woodland in Malta by regenerating its watercourse, protecting the stability of the ground on its valley sides and removing the alien species that are harming habitats. The works which were carried out by the end of the project included the rehabilitation and construction of about 80 retaining walls, the reconstruction and re-instatement of 49 arch buttresses which span part of the watercourse, the removal of alien plants which are competing with native species and the planting of 3,300 indigenous trees, grown from seeds or cuttings deriving from local stocks, which will extend the existing woodland coverage by almost 38,000m².

Minister Herrera, during his speech, highlighted the importance of p rotecting biodiversity and the natural environment which helps contribute to sustainable growth.

He said that government is striving to conserve important habitats and species.