The afforestation project in Inwadar National Park, with an investment of €20 million over five years, has started, Energy Ministrer Miriam Dalli said Saturday.

Some 50,000 trees will be planted, making this grove larger than Buskett's.

Addressing the media, Dalli said Parks Malta is in the process of making a management plan for Inwadar National Park. It will be tasked to identify the different areas which are agricultural land, private land or rented land.

Parks Malta is currently cleaning up the sites inside this park from invasive and alien plants.

"We are investing €4 million a year to have a grove in the south of Malta, which enhances biodiversity and is sustainable," she said.

Dalli added that the water used for irrigation will be from New Water.

The project will include trekking paths and picnic areas.

The Minister said that a steering committee will be appointed with the aim of advancing this project which covers 315,000 square meters of land. The committee will be composed of representatives of Parks Malta and the Inwadar Governance Board, tree experts, architects representatives, representatives from the agricultural sector and others.

The committee will be tasked to provide strategic direction for the project, set goals and ensure that these goals are met, whilst also ensuring that processes used are in line with the plan.

"It is an ambitious but feasible project and we will make sure it is carried out. We want this park to be accessible and enjoyed by everyone, including families and young people who come to visit it, ”said Dalli.

Chairperson of the Inwadar Governance Board Steve Borg explained how progress in building the Inwadar National Park can be seen in several areas, such as the cleaning process to remove concrete that had long been left on the beach.

He said that the board had strengthened the CCTV monitoring with more cameras.

"On top of all this we have also seen an increase in visitors who are enjoying the beauty of the park every day, after years of neglect," he said.

General Manager of Parks Malta Adrian Attard said that the management plan is expected to be completed by the end of this month.