Over the years, the protection of the countryside has become more and more of a priority for people in Malta.

This is partially due to the shrinking open space available and the ever increasing density of Malta’s urban areas. People seek out green spaces to get away from the hustle and bustle of Malta’s urban centres. It is also due to the efforts of both local and international environmentalists who have fought over the years to improve the public’s understanding of the importance of preserving the natural environment.

Locally, the public uproar when projects are proposed on the limited green spaces we have left is a great example of just how important protecting our environment has become for the Maltese an Gozitan people. Examples of such an uproar were seen when AUM had planned to build in Zonqor, a plan that was dropped, and through public anger over plans for construction at Hondoq ir-Rummien, plans which were eventually turned down.

Protecting the countryside isn’t just about preventing development on it, it’s also about keeping it clean.

When it comes to walking around Malta’s green areas, one occasionally comes across sites filled with construction waste, random broken fridges, remnants of BBQs that had taken place but were not cleaned up, and the list goes on.

Over the years, many stories about littering and about dumping have been written about. Indeed, many clean-ups in various parts of the islands take place each year, and occasionally the Planning Authority also carries out direct enforcement action to remove illegal dumping, or illegal scrapyards for instance.

There are some parts of Malta’s countryside that are more protected than others. Here, we are talking about Natura 2000 sites. The Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas across the European Union, with the aim of affording protection to habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of community interest.

Thankfully, illegal dumping in Natura 2000 sites has reduced over the years, according to Paul Debono, a director at Ambjent Malta in charge of Environmental Awareness and Outreach. He attributed this to increased waste disposal options that have been made available over the years and the raised public awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.  "People know that today they can take their waste to specific facilities and dispose of it in skips and separated waste bins.”

But this does not mean that we should ease up. Not at all. When walking around Malta’s green areas, one can still come across waste and dumped material. We should really clamp down on illegal dumping once and for all. It is not ok to dispose of construction waste, or other waste such as that coming from electrical and electronic equipment in the countryside, or in sites which are not permitted for such waste disposal.

It is definitely not acceptable to do so on public land. Is it fair that clean-up groups end up having to clean up messes left behind by people who are so disrespectful to the community that they just dump their rubbish wherever they may be? No it’s not, and action must be taken against those who opt to dump illegally.

As regards identifying sites of illegal dumping to make the authorities aware of it, it has never been easier. Debono explained that there is an Upkeep and Cleaning mobile app, “where citizens can take a picture and send it directly via the mobile app. If the user wishes to switch the mobile location on, the location is automatically sent with the message. The case is channelled to the relevant Public Service Departments, while the person can remain anonymous. Through this app, the report is channelled to the entity that would need to clean it up."

Hopefully, as time goes by and the importance of protecting the environment continues to grow, fewer and fewer people will resort to dumping material illegally. But those who do so must face the legal consequences.