The flash floods that occurred last winter resulted in damage to some trees in the Wied l-Isperanza system, in particular to a 100-year-old Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens; Sigra tac-Cipress) that was uprooted by the water current.

As part of its conservation effort for Mosta, our voluntary organisation – by the name of Harsien Patrimonju Mosti (HPM) – set out to correct this mishap by replanting this tree in its original position and installing supports against further damage in the coming winter.

We had a particularly good response from the Department of Agriculture, who not only did not object to the work that we wanted to do and advised us to go ahead, but actually commended it. The same response was given by a local contractor, who promptly supplied all the necessary machinery and materials for this operation.

However, the same cannot be said for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority who, in an email dated 16 March 2006, actually objected to the operation.

According to Mepa, since this tree is protected by The Trees and Woodlands (Protection) Regulations (Legal Notice 12 of 2001), and The Conifer Trees (Preservation) Regulations (Government Notice 328 of 1949), no work can be done prior to the issue of an Environmental Permit, which involves the submission of a Method Statement and other reports prior to the commissioning of the work.

Due to this lack of cooperation by the relevant authority, no action was taken and the once protected tree lies dead on the valley floor, witness to many others in which concerned people wishing to improve their country are discouraged from doing so, whereas those who seek to profit to the detriment of the environment are given the blessing. Notably, one could mention the many developments that have caused the illegal removal of trees – to which Mepa has not reacted – or other formal applications that propose the obliteration of pristine sites, which are given approval.

The authorities are indeed helpless with the strong, and arrogant with the weak, not through the fault of individual honest workers, but through a lack of desire on the part of the decision-makers to make an effort, apart from that to accommodate their likes. Furthermore, the rules are bent so much to accommodate influential people, whereas the honest citizen is not even considered.

Loreto Dalli

PRO

Harsien Patrimonju Mosti