The government has filed a planning application to extend the Salina Nature Park and plant some 3,000 trees and small plants.

Speaking with The Malta Independent, Environment Minister Jose Herrera said that this project was undertaken on his request. He said there are around 12 tumoli of degraded land, which was earmarked for development. He said that the Prime Minister and Cabinet agreed to develop it into an extension of the family park.

The site is located just beyond Kennedy Grove, he said.

Currently, the minister said, the site is mainly a family park with some trees, but added that this extension will see a nature park grown.

The site is right near 60 tumoli of the Salina Natura 2000 site. "You're going to have a whole complex."

These trees are over and above the 12,000 government planned to plant this year, the minister explained. Instead of having the land developed, he said, it will serve as a green lung.

Recently, BirdLife took over the management of the Salina Nature Reserve Natura 2,000 site, however the minister said that these trees do not fall under the area BirdLife will be looking after.