Bank of Valletta yesterday donated 10,000 rulers and bookmarks with images and information about the five indigenous trees planted under the 34U campaign in commemoration of Arbor Day 2007.
Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino presented the rulers and bookmarks to schoolchildren at St Catherine’s School in Pembroke – the winning school of the first edition of the 34U school campaign award.
Minister Pullicino thanked Bank of Valletta and spoke about the importance of more private organisations assisting the government in its various environmental initiatives.
St Catherine’s School Pembroke won this year’s 34U award and St Aloysius College finished runner up.
Mr Pullicino presented the award and congratulated the students of the winning school. He also praised the dedication of teachers who were going beyond their normal duties to encourage the participation of students.
“The environment constitutes a main pillar of BOV’s community programme and we are actively involved in supporting initiatives that raise environmental awareness and that make a direct contribution towards a better environment,” said Bank of Valletta CEO’s office executive head Charles Borg.
He added that Bank of Valletta is a main sponsor of the 34U campaign, and had contributed to the planting of hundreds of trees in the Ta’ Qali National Park.
Mr Borg said that the BOV-sponsored 34U campaign bookmarks that were distributed to schoolchildren for Arbor Day will continue promoting environmental education and a positive attitude towards the further planting of trees in Malta.
Mr Pullicino said he had been very pleased with the overwhelming response of the Maltese to the 34U campaign. Last year’s target of planting 16,000 trees had been exceeded to such an extent that the ministry is planning to plant 20,000 trees in 2007. The minister said afforestation projects will also be carried out at Kennedy Grove, Mellieha and Xrobb l-Ghagin in Delimara.
In Mellieha the ministry is expecting to plant 5,000 trees that were donated by the Italian government and the remaining trees are part of the 34U campaign. Mr Pullicino said that in the coming days the ministry will announce important developments by the Nature Trust-administered Xrobb l-Ghagin.
The ministry is also planning to carry an afforestation project in Gozo through a joint effort involving the public and private sectors.
Mr Pullicino thanked the private sector, local councils and schools for embracing afforestation projects which, in the end, are aimed at the best interests of the people, the country and the environment.