Partit Demokratiku MPs Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia have applied to have the area known as Ta' l-Għeriexem and Il-Marg declared an area of Public Domain.

This area boasts high quality agricultural land, and is situated in the valley between Mtarfa and Rabat. It is already scheduled as an Area of High Landscape Value (AHLV) and has a Seracenic Cemetery of high archaeological value that forms part of the Roman Domus.

This valley is a fertile valley being used for agricultural purposes. It has deep soil, three freshwater springs, fruit trees, orchards and vineyards. Moreover, the area has one of largest fig trees (Bajtar ta’ San Ġwann) to be found on the Islands.

This valley forms part of the largest catchment in the Maltese Islands; the Marsa Catchment.

The watercourse at Ta' l-Għeriexiem is known as Wied ta' Ġnien Ħira. The valley flows downstream towards Wied tal-Ħemsija, Wied ta' Ċampra, Wied ta' Rmiedi and Wied Inċita. It carries on towards Wied is-Sewda in Attard and Qormi, and outflows in Marsa.

Natural springs feed the watercourses from the Blue Clay's perched aquifer. The most famous is the Ta' l-Għeriexem fountain which is found along Triq Għeriexem Road, which was erected by the Knights of St John.

This is an important archaeological area. In fact, the Planning Authority itself is proposing the area to be scheduled. Moreover, the name ‘Għeriexem’ (plural of għarix) was a fiefdom in medieval times.

Partit Demokratiku said valley systems are an integral part of our landscape, agriculture, ecology, soil processes and hydrology. It is unfortunate that they are continuously under threat by fragmentation and degradation. PD invited the public to “join us in protecting and preserving at least a little of what is left of our island that has not already been covered in concrete.