Volunteers and NGOs working on the frontlines to protect Malta's environment play a very important part in today's Malta.

They organize marches and protests on environmental issues when they are needed, issue statements on policies, highlight planning applications that could have a detrimental impact, bring to the fore issues such as illegal dumping on specific sites and organize cleanups of them, and even take legal action when they feel it is needed to protect the environment or contest a specific planning application.

It is not easy work, and often involves going up against powerful individuals or at times seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Some of the organisations, due to the very nature of their work, are more at risk of seeing threats being made against them. For instance, the Malta Ranger Unit last week issued a statement raising the alarm over escalating intimidation attempts against its rangers, saying several reports have been filed with the police in the last month. There can be no excuse for the use of threats of violence, and any threats must be investigated.

There are times citizens feel they are being run roughshod over by major developers, but find support of NGOs who are willing to help take on the fight.

Citizen activism has also been increasing, and this is clearly seen in the environment and planning sector. Many residents' organisations have come up recently, speaking out over issues affecting the environment of their localities. Examples can be seen in Marsaskala, Sliema and elsewhere. Citizens band together forming organisations to oppose developments which they feel would negatively impact their locality. They are often supported by more established NGOs.

These NGOs and residents' organisations have organized successful campaigns in the past, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.

The biggest recent controversy surrounding Malta's environment and planning sector is the planning reforms. There was significant public backlash against the government's proposals, and a large protest was organized as part of a campaign against the reforms. The government has already said certain things will be changed in the final Bills, but the final outcome is not yet known. However the whole saga has shown the strength of eNGOs and citizens banding together in the fight of a common cause.

The persistence of these NGOs is also undoubtedly why calls for protection of the environment in Malta today are as loud as they are, and are also the reason why some controversial issues are uncovered for the public to see.

These organisations play an important role in Malta's overall ecosystem.