From Mr J. Portelli

There was this old mulberry tree in Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem. It was a nice old tree, gnarled branches and all. But when the contractor commissioned by our government remade the road with European funds, this precious tree was cut down.

The same happened to another old tree near the aqueducts on the road leading to Gharb and Ta’ Pinu. When the contractor commissioned by our government rebuilt the road, again with European funds, this tree was cut down.

I would like to ask: Was Mepa involved in this decision to cut down the trees? If so, on what basis? If not, is action going to be taken?

These things make me sad.

Some things do not go by the rules. Like for example the undulating pavements on our island; sometimes they go up, sometimes down, sometimes they incline this way, or the other way, according to the will and whims of the owner of the house, and one has to be a real hiker to notice them. This pavement thing is dangerous and an inconvenience to the public.

But twiddling with the rules protecting the natural environment is more dangerous and impoverishes Malta and Gozo. Because if we lose our natural environment, we lose what makes Malta and Gozo, we lose the open spaces needed for us to relax and we are destroying nature.

Joe Portelli

NADUR