Illegal dumping in Natura 2000 sites has reduced over the years, Paul Debono, a director at Ambjent Malta in charge of Environmental Awareness and Outreach, said.
He attributed this to increased waste disposal options that have been made available over the years and the raised public awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.
Malta’s environmental wardens fall under Debono’s remit. Currently, he said, there are a total of four environmental wardens and nine assistant environmental wardens, who are trained about the regulations pertaining to protected and green areas, about local flora and fauna, community involvement, as well as about the existing threats and pressures on the local environment. These wardens, he said, are committed to improving the sites for the good of the community, while at the same time ensuring that public spaces are cleaner and safer. The nine assistant environmental wardens are provided by a contractor.
During an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, he was asked about dumping in Natura 2000 sites. He “cannot understand people who dump illegally when we have every service needed available. The local council is just a telephone call away and the item can be taken out in front of their homes and picked up. I don't understand dumping and it just doesn't make sense".
"Illegal dumping in Natura 2000 sites has reduced over the years," he said, attributing this to the increased waste disposal services being offered. "People know that today they can take their waste to specific facilities and dispose of it in skips and separated waste bins. We noticed a total reduction in plastic bottles since new facilities were introduced this year.”
There isn't one Natura 2000 site identified that faces a dumping problem more than others, he said, adding that every now and then one will find dumped materials in less frequented areas. "But it has reduced a lot. Especially with regards to white goods. We rarely find disposed fridges, washing machines, etc. as civic amenity sites are easily accessible.”
“There is also an Upkeep and Cleaning mobile app, where citizens can take a picture and send it directly via the mobile app. If the user wishes to switch the mobile location on, the location is automatically sent with the message. The case is channelled to the relevant Public Service Departments, while the person can remain anonymous. Through this app, the report is channelled to the entity that would need to clean it up."
Ambjent Malta also has a response team to deal with illegal dumping, he said, but if it is a large and bulky amount of waste, then they would inform the ERA or other entities, depending on the case. Besides littering and illegal dumping, one may also report the need to clean culverts, public conveniences, beaches, street sweeping, dead animals and emptying of litter bins among others, he added.
Asked further about the environmental wardens, he described their remit as an “educational one”.
“We don't have the legal ability to charge people who break rules in court. We are there to talk to people and educate them,” he said, adding that if a law is broken they would report it to the police, Lesa or the Environment and Resources Authority, depending on the infringement.
Asked about dealing with confrontational situations, he said that environmental wardens are trained to de-escalate situations. "Part of their training is to anticipate confrontation and to calm situations to avoid it." He said: "We want to protect our environment through education and discussion."
Asked whether environmental wardens frequently have to call the police, he said no. "There is a lot of awareness in favour of the environment in the country. The environment has become top of the agenda, especially with youths," he said.
The environmental wardens patrol the sites during the day, checking for vandalism, if there are any fires, checking if any dumping or littering occurred, including when it comes to the remains of barbecues, etc.
As for littering, he said that it is still a problem, "but it’s not as bad as it used to be", remembering the situation when he was young. "There are more bins, more areas where one can throw their waste away. If you go to the beach, there are waste separation bins for instance."
Today, when monitoring beaches the environmental wardens would see people picking up their own waste rather than leaving it behind, and even placing their cigarette butts in bags to dispose of correctly, he said. He feels that the situation has improved a lot over the years.
Asked whether the nine assistant rangers and four rangers are enough in terms of manpower, he said that "we can never say we have enough. But the number is satisfactory. With the 13 we have we can monitor the sites well. In the summer months we focus more on coastal areas and where people go in those months. In winter, more people come to Buskett and similar sites, so we have a daily presence of rangers. The number is adequate.”
Asked about vandalism in the Natura 2000 sites, he said that it isn't that frequent as it once was. "Sadly, we have had cases. For instance there was an incident at Salini Park recently. Overnight it was vandalised, with the new lights that were installed having been broken." But, he said, he believes the number of cases of vandalism have reduced.
A number of parks are managed by NGOs. Ambjent Malta coordinates with a number of these entities, he said. "We have an excellent relationship with them, as we have the same aim." Aside from Ambjent Malta organising boat tours, educational walks, snorkelling tours and other activities, depending on the season, they also organise events with these NGOs, he said.
Clean-ups are also organised, he added. "I always hope to one day reach the stage when we wouldn't need to hold clean-ups anymore."
“The environmental wardens handle many of these, including those on the seashore and in the countryside, and also on the seabed. This year we brought up tonnes of material from the sea, especially metal." He said they organise several clean-ups a year in different locations. "Each month we participate in activities Wirt in Natura, organised by the Ministry, which is where environmental wardens and outreach staff from Ambjent Malta participate in organising sustainable activities in different parks.”
Asked what main challenges environmental wardens face, he said the main one is how to approach the public. "You find that the majority of people accept that they cannot have a barbecue in the middle of Buskett, but find a few who insist that they have a right to."
As for the top three most popular parks among the public, he mentioned Buskett, Salini and the Floriana Botanical Gardens. "They are three very high standard parks/gardens." As for a hidden gem, which perhaps not many people visit, he believes St Philip's Garden in Floriana is number one on that list. “The garden, which is 7,000 square metres big, is a historic one and dates all the way back to the 17th century. It also forms part of a chain of five gardens that make up the Botanic National Gardens of Malta which Ambjent Malta is gradually restoring.”
“Some of the works done in the garden includes the restoration of the fort walls from the times of the Knights of St John and the restoration of the 1622 Alof de Wignacourt fountain. The fountain was originally found at St George’s Square but was then moved to the St Philip Garden grounds.”