Nature Trust opposes Fomm ir-Rih interventions

Nature Trust today said it is seriously concerned by Labour MP Etienne Grech’s suggestion to improve public access to Fomm ir-Rih Bay.

The NGO pointed out that the bay falls within a Natura 2000 site which includes the coastal cliffs from Ras il-Pellegrin to ix-Xaqqa.

Earlier this week, the Mgarr local council also opposed Grech’s suggestion to improve public access to the scenic bay.

The site falls within the first declared Marine Protected Area in Malta which extends from Rdum Majjiesa to  Ras ir-Raheb and Nature Trust emphasised that it supports calls for public access to the area which has been an issue for a number of years.

“This would ensure that people can appreciate the beauty of the area,” the ENGO said, adding that the issue in this case is that of making the area easily accessible from land.

But the ENGO said that “any form of intervention would jeopardise the aesthetic qualities of the area and ruin the spectacular geomorphological features which characterize this region. Easier access would encourage unscrupulous people with ensuing repercussions: litter, or possibly even beach businesses (i.e. food outlets, deck chairs and umbrella rentals etc.)”.

Nature Trust insisted that any suggestions for such studies are scrapped and instead money is invested into better beach management plans of popular beaches in the vicinity.

“For example numerous cars are being allowed to park on Gnejna beach. Offering park and ride schemes and better enforcement could help alleviate the problem,” it said.