From Mr A. Vella

It was reported in The Malta Independent on Sunday last week that, although the ficus trees in front of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta are seriously damaging the church, some “environmentalists” are insisting that they be left in place and apparently the authorities are likely to give in.

What does Din l-Art Helwa have to say about it? Is it true that, for political reasons, the NGO is supporting the tree-huggers against the government?

If it turns out that Din l-Art Helwa is indeed giving partisan interests priority over conservation concerns, it would be another sad example of the confusion and ambiguity that clouds many local environmental issues at present.

Antoine Vella

BALZAN