A relaxed Prime Minister, sporting an open neck shirt and rolled up sleeves, yesterday toured the area near Xaghra l-Hamra which is being earmarked as a national park and described the outing as a “huge relief”.

Lawrence Gonzi toured the area and called in at The Gaia Foundation’s nursery in Golden Bay before speaking to farmers at Manikata. He also took a walk at Xaghra l-Hamra, accompanied by Environment Minister George Pullicino and parliamentary secretary Frans Agius.

After the week’s exertions in gearing up for eurozone approval, the Prime Minister looked serene, relaxed and as though he was really enjoying himself. From the word go, he spoke with all, asked about the various trees and shrubs in the area, joked with the media and seemed to have a good old time.

He was also pleased with the reaction when he named Stanley Zammit as chairman of the National Park Management Board.

Asked by The Malta Independent what it meant to him to be able to take time out and walk in the countryside he said: “Well, after the rush this week, I can only describe it as a huge relief (ghall-erwieh). After this I have an urgent meeting at Castille, and then I have to fly out to Portugal, so I can only say that I have really enjoyed it.”

Dr Gonzi and company were greeted at the Gaia Foundation’s visitor centre by Rudolph Ragonesi, the foundation’s executive director. Dr Ragonesi explained that the centre housed over 10,000 plants of 40 different species, many of which were rare and/or hard to propagate. Dr Gonzi stopped at the Aleppo Pine section and quizzed Dr Ragonesi at length over the trees which were cut down and destroyed in Mellieha last week.

Dr Ragonesi explained that the nursery, which is a former drainage plant, made it possible for the foundation to plant over 15,000 trees and shrubs in Ghajn Tuffieha and Ramla in Gozo. Trees from the foundation are also made available for other afforestation projects on the islands.

The nursery, Elysium, also serves as a support centre for the foundation’s coastal management work at Ghajn Tuffieha, which includes-habitat restoration, tree planting, ranger patrols, organic farming and sustainable tourism.

Dr Ragonesi commended the government’s decision to establish a heritage park in the area and pledged the foundation’s support in the management of the new park.

He also pledged the use of Gaia’s coastal management equipment, which includes a patrol boat and a land vehicle that runs on bio diesel, as well as a large number of trees.

After the visit to Gaia, Dr Gonzi’s delegation paid a visit to the farming community in Manikata, all of whom told him they were very pleased that the government decided to go for a national park rather than a golf course – the latter would have meant eviction from their land for some of them.

In fact, Manikata Farmers’ Association chairman Mario Cremona said: “It is very positive that the government has opted for a park rather than a golf course. It is the sensible choice and is much more compatible with the natural ecology of the area.”

Speaking to the press, Dr Gonzi said that only four days after the announcement that the area was to be turned into a national park, various initiatives had taken off.

“My appeal is for everyone to be involved, this is a national project and we would like everyone’s input,” he said.

He also explained that the board to be headed by Dr Zammit would include three government representatives and three representatives from NGOs.

On his part, Dr Zammit thanked the government for the appointment and promised good, honest hard work.

The morning was only tinged by disappointment at a beautiful cliff area where various discards had been dumped illegally – the usual items, such as water heaters, washing machines, car batteries and various others.

The Malta Independent asked Mr Pullicino what he thought of this in view of the ease with which people can now get rid of bulky refuse at the Civil Amenities Sites. “Unfortunately, it is an endemic sickness that we Maltese tend to have.

“We have opened one site at Maghtab and another is shortly to open in Mriehel,” answered Dr Pullicino.

He said that another three were due to open up in Luqa, Hal Far and Gozo. “It is far easier to take things to the sites rather than fly-tipping. People can go there Monday to Sunday between 7am and 5.30pm. However, we are making progress.

“A total of 14 former dockworkers have been retrained and employed by Mepa as plain clothes environment inspectors. They have already yielded results.”

Din l-Art Helwa president Martin Galea said the park decision was a gift to the whole of Malta. “It is a beautiful place. Now we have the resources to turn it into an area which can be used by all for leisure and enjoyment.

“As for the appointment of Stanley, there is not a better person who could have been chosen.”