Moviment Graffitti believes that the damage caused by fire in a large area of land at Bahrija was not purely accidental – these last past years have seen a number of vandal attacks there against carob trees and field crops.

A major concern for Moviment Graffitti relates to the fact that “it seems that someone, somewhere already has decided on the future of the area, which had been in farming hands for years.” The movement urged the authorities to investigate certain incidents taking place in Bahrija. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority, and the police, it said, should strengthen their investigation and enforcement duties within the area for clarification about whether the last fire incident was truly accidental or was related to arson.

It suggested that no development permits are issued there and a policy should be implemented whereby areas damaged by fire would be declared as non-development areas. Such a policy would hopefully deter people from committing further arson attacks on environmental land with the aim of facilitating development of the area.