Around 400 trees and shrubs have been planted by HSBC staff and their families at Xrobb l-Ghagin in Marsaxlokk, as part of the afforestation project in the area.

The HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund (HCEF), which was also one of the main sponsors of this year’s “Clean Up the World Malta” campaign, is responsible for the afforestation project and Lm45,000 would have been contributed from this fund over a three-year period.

In addition to the 400 trees planted recently, another 4,600 trees and shrubs, including Aleppo pines, tamarisks and carob trees, have been planted in the area since the beginning of the year, but this only covers a third of the number of trees that are scheduled to be planted at the site.

The afforestation project forms part of the development of the site, which is undergoing extensive transformation and which is protected as a scheduled area of ecological importance.

A marine research centre will be set up, and the area at Xrobb l-Ghagin which will serve environmental education purposes, is also intended as a recreational site for the public.

The afforestation project had been abandoned since 1996 when the Deutsche Welle radio station closed down.

The site, which covers a total area of 155,950 square metres, is almost entirely surrounded by a high perimeter wall, while the northern side is exposed to sea cliffs.

The trees at the Xrobb l-Ghagin site are being maintained by the Parks Department, since the project also forms part of the “34U” campaign by the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry.