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Michaela Muscat
As hunters vent their frustration at the latest announcement about new regulations curbing their ‘hobby’, heritage authorities say it is business as usual without the slightest concern that there may be a backlash on Malta’s priceless cultural sites.
The news and the common knowledge of the hunter’s resolute intent on preserving their pastime at all costs do not seem to have moved much the culture ministry to step up protection at heritage sites.
Francis Albani, the private secretary of Tourism and Culture Minister Zammit Dimech said: “To my knowledge the Ministry has not been in contact with the Ministry for Environment or the police in order to formulate a contingency plan in case of vandalism attacks by hunters.”
In the mid nineties, hordes of hunters had vociferously taken to the streets to retain their right to practice their bloody hobby.
Paint was splashed at Hagar Qim and Borg in-Nadur temples. Stanley Zammit, the junior Minister concerned with hunting at the time, was constantly threatened by people who voiced their anger at Zammit’s attempt to curb spring hunting.
Yet Albani said that “to increase security on all of the heritage sites is next to impossible because of the sheer number of protected sites. Not even the Americans can predict where the next Iraqi bombers are going to attack let alone we.”
Although he did not exclude some kind of backlash from the hunters, he said this did not imply that hunters would necessarily resort to vandalism.
“It has not been proved that it was the hunters that committed the acts of vandalism,” he said
Antoinette Caruana, the Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Malta confirmed that no meetings were held with specific intent to discuss a contingency plan about hunters’ possible violent reaction. She hopes that it won’t be the case, as “hunters should realise that historical sites belong to everyone – they should not be damaged.”
Environmental groups and bird lovers have often expressed their frustration at the political patronage of hunters by the two largest political parties. But unfortunately for the hunters and their organisations, this time round there will be no opportunity for backdoor manoeuvring as ultimately the authorities in charge of this decision – namely the European Commission has no constituents to worry about come election time.
Caruana says that, “precautions have been taken before and after Heritage Malta was set up. Watchmen, fencing and general security – both manual and electronic have been on the increase throughout the last years. EU structural funds have been used to build visitors shelters and shields for temples as well.” Vandalism is indeed rampant in Malta. Authorities are always on the alert and people have even been discovered organising barbecues around Hagar Qim.
Indeed Martin Galea, the President of Din l-Art Helwa concurs that vandalism on Malta’s heritage sites is common. “We are used to all sorts of vandalism on various sites that is why Heritage Malta is installing security systems on various sites,” says Galea.
When asked by MaltaToday about the possibility of a backlash by hunters, Galea expressed his concern. “I would hope not. They should realise that EU legislation and Malta’s heritage sites are two distinct things and that by damaging these sites they are ruining them for all of the Maltese people, themselves and their families included.”
Last week, leader of the opposition Alfred Sant said that Malta had democratically chosen to join the EU and so it was only natural that it had to abide by the rules and regulations. If it was a consequence of a democratic decision that hunting and trapping will be curbed, then so be it, he said.
michaelam@newsworksltd.com
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