‘Nature Agency to be set up’- De Marco

Management plans are being prepared for 34 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites, which cover 13.6% of Malta's land territory.

The international tender for this process was awarded to the Epsilon-Adi consortium. The consortium is currently gathering data and fieldwork has commenced. The preparation of these plans is a legal requirement stemming from the EU's Habitat's Directive.

Petra Caruana Dingli, director for environmental protection at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) said, "once the management plans are finalised we can implement a number of measures which will ensure that the conditions of the natural habitats and species populations which are of particular importance are maintained."

"Natura 2000 sites are not a system of strict nature reserves where human activities are excluded. Whereas some sites may include areas where human activities are not desirable or should be limited, the principle behind designating these sites is based on a much broader principle of conservation and sustainable use, where people and nature can live together in harmony," Caruana Dingli said.

Adrian Mallia, from the Epsilon-Adi consortium emphasised the importance of engaging with all stakeholders during the formulation of the management plans, stating that "nature without people does not work. Private stakeholders will not be pressured into opening up their land if they don't want to."

A public information campaign will also be carried out in order to raise awareness about the 34 sites in question. "This project focuses on significantly raising the level of awareness about these Natura 2000 sites," Mallia said.

In order to implement these plans, the setting up of a "Nature Agency" is required.

"MEPA as a regulator cannot be responsible for the implementation of these plans. This therefore necessitates the setting up of a nature agency in order to administer these sites," environment minister Mario De Marco said.