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Matthew Vella
A letter sent by the EU’s Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas to Alternattiva Demokratika’s spokesperson for the island of Gozo, Victor Galea, has confirmed that Ta’ Cenc cliffs, Gozo’s foremost bird area, has not yet been included in the lists of special protection areas.
Dimas told Galea that the list of the special protection areas designated under the Wild Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive which have been submitted by the Maltese government do not include Ta’ Cenc.
However, in February 2005, MEPA spokespersons told MaltaToday that Ta’ Cenc would be submitted as a candidate site for the EU’s Natura 2000 sites, once a scheduling process of the site was completed.
MEPA claimed the list of sites could be added to any time.
Dimas told Galea that the Commission services are already starting to evaluate the submitted sites, with the assistance of the European Environment Agency’s European Topic Centre on Biodiversity.
He however said the Commission would raise the issue with the Maltese authorities if the Commission services identify the need to designate other sites.
Victor Galea told MaltaToday that it was unacceptable that Ta’ Cenc had not yet been included in the list since last February when MEPA stated that the site would be included.
“Ta’ Cenc is home to various birds, endemic species and historical remains. It is a place of unique importance, not only because of its special biodiversity but also because of the natural beauty of the place is a source of attraction for Maltese and tourists, and a source of much needed income for the economy,” Galea said.
In February 2005, MaltaToday reported complaints by environmentalists who were perturbed to see that Gozo’s coastal cliffs at Ta’ Cenc had not been submitted in the government’s list of protected sites as a nature reserve.
Ta’ Cenc is also a source of contention for environmentalists who are opposing the possible development of a golf course in the area. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is on record stating that he endorses the siting of a golf course on Malta’s sister island.
No application for the development of a course has been submitted anywhere in the Maltese islands since Angelo Xuereb’s proposal for one on agricultural land in Rabat Malta was resoundingly rejected. Ta’ Cenc is however indicated as a potential site for golfing in a MEPA report pinpointing areas for development.
matthew@newsworksltd.com
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