The area known as Qalet Marku in Bahar ic-Caghaq has been closed off for cars so that Get Trashed Malta and Malta Clean Up can undertake a year-long project to allow the garigue to heal "after years of neglect and abuse," Cami Appelgren, founder of Malta Clean Up posted on Facebook.

Appelgren said that she, together with members of Get Trashed Malta, met up with Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia some time ago to explain why this peninsula should be closed off. "He spent plenty of time listening to our concerns and ambitions in regards to this area. He promised us that he would close it off and that we would be taking the lead in making this peninsula into what it should be - a green area where people can walk and enjoy the Maltese countryside."

 

"He walked the talk. Yesterday it was closed off by the ministry," she said.

"We will now start creating the big project of cleaning this place up, by hand... centimeter after centimeter."

"This will be the ONLY cleanup project of Malta Clean Up during 2020. We will keep you posted once plan is in place and we are ready to launch (once COVID-19 has passed)."

She thanked Minister Farrugia for his action and for listening to the NGOs. "Only together can we solve the massive issues in regards to the degrading environment."