In his recent article in The Times entitled "Anti-Hondoq front evaporates”, it is perhaps a little unfair of environmentalist Alan Deidun to suggest that the Moviment Ħarsien Hondoq is being ‘fickle’ (in fact he has just written a disclaimer on Facebook stating that his comments were aimed at Qala Local Council and not the MHH). After all, the movement has been fighting to protect an ODZ area against ‘mega-development’ for the past 13 years. They could be considered the founding model of what a few dedicated and hard-working people can achieve in gaining public support, and making the government think twice about letting developers have their own way in raping large tracts of virgin land for personal gain, thus depriving access to the public majority to the few areas of unspoilt land left on these islands.

Even now, after 13 years, Mepa is still dragging its heels on releasing the final DPAR report on Hondoq, despite repeated promises that it will be published. The last date given was the end of April, which again has slid by without a word.

People are a lot more conscientious now of their environment than they were 13 years ago, as has been shown by the rapid response to the Zonqor issue. And people all over the islands should react in unison to question the validity of these mega-projects in ODZ areas – as in the newly formed Front Harsien ODZ whose aim is to safeguard these sites.

Alan Deidun has correctly highlighted the lack of response from the Qala Local Council on the tas-Simar proposal – and it is hoped they will be forthcoming on where they stand in due course. Pressure should be brought to bear by the media, environmental groups, the newly-formed Front Harsien ODZ, and by the many politicians who are currently purporting to support environmental issues, to obtain more information about this new project, so it can be seen whether it is a smoke screen, as some believe, or another genuine threat to yet another ODZ area. As Deidun reported, many of the issues relevant to the Hondoq case are applicable to the tas-Simar one.

The government should, as a matter of principle, clarify whether ODZ means ‘outside’ development zone or ‘open’ development zone. At the moment it seems very much the latter.

Make your voice count - join ‘Front Harsien ODZ’ on Facebook.

 

Jane Carr

 

Qala