ADPD raises alarm over damage to valleys in Project Green works

Updated with ADPD reaction 

ADPD has filed a complaint with the ombudsman, claiming that rehabilitation works in Wied il-Qlejgħa and Wied Speranza are causing significant harm to Malta’s natural heritage.

Party secretary general Ralph Cassar said conservation experts had contacted him after observing large-scale clearance of vegetation using heavy machinery in the two valleys, resulting in severe damage to biodiversity and the natural environment of the area,” Cassar said.

In a letter to the Commissioner for Environment and Planning, Cassar questioned whether the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) was properly monitoring Project Green, the agency responsible for carrying out the works with 75% funding from the European Union.

While the project is intended to rehabilitate natural valleys, Cassar argued that the methods being used are closer to urban landscaping than ecological restoration.

ADPD’s complaint refers to alleged breaches of ERA permit conditions, including excessive use of heavy machinery and large-scale clearance of natural vegetation. The party called for an urgent investigation to ensure works are carried out according to professional conservation practices.

ADPD said Malta cannot afford to lose more of its natural heritage due to poor workmanship and negligence and insisted that the ombudsman verify whether ERA is fulfilling its oversight role.

Project Green defends restoration works 

Project Green has defended its restoration works at Wied Speranza, insisting that biodiversity and ecosystem preservation remain central to the project. The organisation said interventions are scheduled during the dry season to minimise disruption to wildlife, including the Painted Frog. Responding to claims by ADPD that heavy machinery was used to bulldoze the valley bed and strip vegetation, Project Green said equipment had only been deployed to remove invasive alien species, rubble and other debris that had blocked the natural watercourse and rendered a nearby dam ineffective.

According to Project Green, the works are being carried out in line with a Method Statement approved by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). These include reconstructing rubble walls to enhance habitats, clearing dumped waste and sediment, preserving historical structures and non-invasive flora, and installing anti-off-roading gates. Public access is also being restored, with a five-year maintenance plan in place to ensure the recovery of the valley occurs gradually and sustainably.

Project Green also pointed to similar interventions at other sites, where measures such as the relocation of the Painted Frog and pilot projects targeting invasive crayfish have helped safeguard local ecosystems. It said the Wied Speranza project is focused on restoration rather than destruction, aiming to re-establish the valley’s natural functions and relieve long-standing environmental pressures.