The Environment Ministry yesterday said that more people pledged their support to restore the damage committed by vandals to the afforestation project in Mellieha.

In a statement, the ministry said that the response to its appeal for help was “encouraging”. On Thursday, the HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund, the Maltacom Group and the Italian Ambassador all pledged their support for the cause and donated hefty amounts towards the replanting of new trees.

Yesterday, the ministry said, it received further pledges from several people who donated money towards the purchase of new trees to replace those which were vandalised. Among these donations, the ministry received an amount from the employees of the Finance Ministry with which 500 trees can be bought.

Donations are also being received at an HSBC bank account with the name of “Foresta 2000 – Replant the trees”, account number 0332-2145-8001. Bank of Valletta also opened a bank account to receive donations. This is account number 1019-6790-984 bearing the name “Foresta 2000 Project”.

Minister George Pullicino expressed his satisfaction that the response being received to restore the damage caused by irresponsible vandals was encouraging. He said every tree costs Lm6 to purchase, so every little contribution was helpful.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the School Arbor Committee condemned the vandalism on the Foresta 2000 Project site.

It said some of the trees were planted by schoolchildren themselves as part of the Kampanja Kabbar Sigra between 2004 and 2006. Several schools had participated in this initiative with hundreds of students enthusiastically planting a tree themselves.

Even the Church Environment Commission vehemently condemned the vandalism on the trees at the Mellieha afforestation project site. It appealed to those who committed this act to repent and come forward. It said this act of vandalism was aimed at shocking the country but urged people to unite in order to fight this sin. The commission said it will be donating money towards the fund set up to purchase new trees to replace those that had been destroyed by the vandals who are still on the loose.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Malta and the Police have stepped up their patrols, especially in areas which could be targeted by vandals. The AFM said it increased patrols in the area where 3,000 trees were vandalised earlier this week.