The Malta Environment & Planning Authority has approved the scheduling of the coastal wetlands of the Il-Maghluq area in the limits of Marsaxlokk and the area known as Is-Simar in St Paul’s Bay. This is in line with MEPA’s efforts to safeguard the biodiversity that exists in these areas that are of ecological and scientific importance to the Maltese Islands.
Coastal wetland habitats such as Il-Maghluq and Is-Simar support specific flora and fauna that can withstand harsh surroundings. These habitats are rare in the Maltese archipelago so the species that live there require special protection.
Il-Maghluq is a coastal saline wetland located off Xatt is-Sajjieda, limits of Marsaxlokk, formerly referred to as Il-Ballut. During the dry season, water evaporation from this area causes a rise in salinity until it reaches levels of hyper-salinity. The saline wetland at Il-Maghluq has one of the best Mediterranean salt meadows. The coastal saline wetland is scheduled as Level 1 Area of Ecological Importance and Site of Scientific Importance. The surrounding landscape, which is dominated by terraced agricultural land, is scheduled as a Level 3 Buffer Zone.
The scheduling boundary of Il-Maghluq follows that of the Bird Sanctuary, as established in 1993, and that of Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of International Importance.
Scheduling of the Simar area comprises parts of Il-Pwales, Is-Simar, Ta’ l-Imbordin, Ta’ Gannaru, Ix- Xaghra tal-Ghansar and Ta’ Rkuplu, however a special emphasis is given on safeguarding the marshland habitat in the Bird Sanctuary.
Besides protecting the ecology of the natural habitats in this area, the scheduling of the Simar area also aims to preserve the beauty of the landscape by including the stretch of garigue and semi-natural woodland on Xemxija ridge together with the agricultural land in the Pwales valley.
The wetland is scheduled as a Level 1 Area of Ecological Importance and Site of Scientific Importance. The stretch of garigue on the ridge is scheduled as a Level 2 Area of Ecological Importance, while the agricultural land in Pwales valley is designated as a Level 3 buffer zone.
The scheduling boundary was extended beyond that of the SAC to encompass the contiguous stretch of garigue, semi-natural woodland and overall landscape.
Buffer Zones are intended to safeguard the importance and integrity of the Level 1 and 2 areas. Farming and related activities may continuein Buffer Zones and will not be negatively affected by this scheduling, provided such activities are in line with established Structure Plan and other rural policies.
The scheduling of Il-Maghluq and is-Simar Area is intended to compliment and support the designation of these areas as candidate Natura 2000 sites.
The Authority remains committed to passing on the natural heritage to future generations by seeking to implement sustainable development that safeguards the environment.