Heritage Malta yesterday launched a draft management plan for the megalithic temples in Malta and Gozo.

The draft plan outlines site values, as well as current challenges and objectives for the next five years. It includes the temples inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage list – Hagar Qim, Ggantija, Tarxien, Ta’ Hagrat, Skorba, and Mnajdra.

Some 500,000 people, mostly tourists, visit these sites each year.

The plan is open for public consultation and aims to provide a shared vision and shared targets for implementation. Thus members of the public are being invited to work alongside policy-developers and other stakeholders on a common vision for the physical conservation of the sites.

Heritage Malta chairman Joseph Said pointed out that Malta has eight heritage sites, including the Hypogeum and Valletta, when there were fewer than 900 recognised heritage sites around the world.

“This means a bit less than 10 per cent of the total world heritage sites in an area of just 260 square kilometres,” he said.

Malta thus had the most heritage sites in a restricted area following Rome. This could reflect itself in a unique selling point for Malta if properly exploited.

Heritage Malta also runs some 80 museums.

The management plan would be obliging local authorities and the public to fully conserve these sites.

This fact was also being seriously appreciated by authorities as highlighted by means of the plans for The Palace which were communicated on Saturday, Mr Said noted.

“We are blessed with a great problem,” said Dr Luciano Mule Stagno, Heritage Malta CEO, highlighting the point that the temples could provide many opportunities for the economy and tourism industry.

He explained that the process to draft the management map started in 2004 during which time Heritage Malta staff communicated with managers of foreign sites for the best possible draft plan.

Described as a summary of the vision ahead, the booklet highlights the management plan, description and statement of significance of each site and future objectives among other key issues.

Archaeologist Rueben Grima said the document will be sent by mailing shot to parties who showed interest and non-governmental organisations among other entities. The document is also available on www.heritagemalta.org for public viewing and for interested parties to submit feedback.

The Scientific Committee for the Conservation of the Megalithic Temples also issued a Conservation Plan for the Megalithic Temples on cd which complements the draft management plan.

Meanwhile, the temples were benefiting from EU funds for the building of shelters and walk ways. Hagar Qim, Tarxien and Ggantija temples are to be preserved to the extent of the Hypogeum by the year 2013.

Heritage Malta will also apply for ERDF funds which are to open shortly for the future conservation of heritage sites and smaller sites which are not so recognised.

Having better facilities should also reflect in better revenue for the running of the sites.

The finalised plan will be adopted in November.