The Mgarr ix-Xini valley, which was given its name in 1435, has long been identified as an area with significant geomorphological, ecological, agrarian and cultural importance.

In line with the above, Sannat and Xemxija councils intend to develop Mgarr ix-Xini valley and its environs into a regional park.

Announcing the councils’ plans yesterday, architect Lino Bianco said that the main objective of the project was to protect, safeguard and enhance the eco-sensitive and geocultural landscape of the valley for present and future generations.

He added that the idea was to develop the park based on the concept of inclusivity rather than exclusivity, which meant involving all the farmers and owners of property in the valley.

Speaking about the concept, Mr Bianco said the global approach towards the management of protected areas has radically changed over the years, from a narrow, exclusive approach to a broader and more inclusive attitude, with the definition of protected areas becoming more flexible.

He said this idea would see the improvement of a protected area.

Conserving landscapes requires a regional approach because a limited approach would lead to fragmentation that is not conducive to preservation, he said.

Sannat mayor Carmel Camilleri and Xewkija mayor Monica Vella both expressed their satisfaction that they were working together to improve an area that lies on the boundary between their two villages.

They said that the approach that has been adopted to develop Mgarr ix-Xini valley is innovative and is a new way of managing a protected area.

The perimeter of the project is around 4 kilometres and it is

estimated that around 110 species of plants grow in this unique valley.