Nature Trust calls for more green wardens

Nature Trust has expressed concern at the increase of illegal dumping by irresponsible people in the Maltese countryside.

Only last year, Nature Trust with the help of various other individuals and institutions cleaned over 5,000kgs of waste from various localities such as Pembroke Ranges, Xrobb l-Ghagin near St Paul's Battery, Marsascala, and il-Ballut in Marsaxlokk.

"Despite all this effort many of the sites are again witnessing illegal dumping yet again.  In Pembroke alone an area that was cleaned only weeks ago is again housing dumped material in the same area," Nature Trust executive president Vince Attard said.

Attard said this was an insult to those that gave their time to improve the countryside and make it look cleaner.

"Such dumping is damaging our fragile environment which is already under a lot of stress from illegal development, over development, pollution and alien species. While we are fully committed to conserving Malta's natural heritage as this is of benefit to the economy due to eco-tourism and offer clean, green open spaces for the Maltese to enjoy, it also hopes that the authorities will do likewise and act."

Attard called on the national authorities to deploy green wardens as soon as possible in such places so as to fine these irresponsible individuals.  "We feel that fines originating from such illegal activities should go towards an environmental fund that can then be used to conserve ecological sites to be enjoyed by all.

"Malta is today a developed country and a member of the European Union.  We should be proud of our natural heritage and identity. Such illegal activities make the Maltese countryside look like a Third World country and all this because of the irresponsible few who seem to get away with such damaging deeds."