| From the Malta Independent 31st July 2008 Ramblers protest in face of illegalities at Fomm ir-Rih | ||||||
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Thursday, 31 July 2008
Ramblers protest in face of illegalities at Fomm ir-Rih
The Ramblers' Association of Malta (RAM) held the last walk of the season as a protest on Tuesday evening at Fomm ir-Rih to highlight serious problems of accessibility in and degradation of the countryside.
Ramblers protest in face of illegalities at Fomm ir-Rih
From The Malta Independent of July 31, 2008.
Ramblers protest in face of illegalities at Fomm ir-Rih
by Annaliza Borg
The Ramblers' Association of Malta (RAM) held the last walk of the season as a protest on Tuesday evening at Fomm ir-Rih to highlight serious problems of accessibility in and degradation of the countryside.The organisation has also promised its members that a more aggressive approach would be taken in the coming months since "years of complaints and objections have proved futile."
A group of 60 ramblers was led down towards the bay where the official pathway was obliterated completely. The protest took place in view of several illegalities which were taken in hand – such as the building of a concrete road outside the gate of a private residence and broken boulders through which a road goes down to the foreshore – before a development application was filed with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
After the application to sanction the illegalities was dismissed, the gate, rubble troughs and landscaping were carried out. Invasive trees such as ailanthus, acacia and eucalyptus were recently planted, RAM said.RAM also claimed that two youths attempted to snatch the camera of two ramblers before the youths returned to the house. Otherwise, the walk was peaceful and the organisation plans to repeat this in the future, RAM said.
In a letter to the Director General, Government Property Division, RAM said the protest was the culmination of years of complaints, objections and futile efforts over the situation at Fomm ir-Rih Bay. This explained that while "sympathy and lip-service" were forthcoming from various ministers and authorities, "proceedings on the ground worsened, with the situation deteriorating to unprecedented illegality."
The protest walk was held with the purpose of raising more awareness in society of the situation prevailing at Fomm ir-Rih which RAM described as "a state of affairs symptomatic of the widespread problems of accessibility, degradation and lawlessness in the countryside." RAM said it felt the necessity to convey this message at the end of its programme of walks, out of concern that matters in the open areas of Malta are getting out of hand.
The organisation urged the Government Property Division to "immediately re-establish the public path from the Bahrija side to the foreshore of the bay which was conceded by public deed of 1983 but never maintained."
Similarly, RAM called for action to restore the countryside and foreshore to a natural state by removing signs, gates and other obstacles put up without permission to prevent or limit access to the public, restore blocked pathways and country lanes and stop the ecological ravage that is illegally going on through unauthorised building and illicit plantation of invasive trees and plants.
Ramblers protest in face of illegalities at Fomm ir-Rih
by Annaliza Borg
The Ramblers' Association of Malta (RAM) held the last walk of the season as a protest on Tuesday evening at Fomm ir-Rih to highlight serious problems of accessibility in and degradation of the countryside.The organisation has also promised its members that a more aggressive approach would be taken in the coming months since "years of complaints and objections have proved futile."
A group of 60 ramblers was led down towards the bay where the official pathway was obliterated completely. The protest took place in view of several illegalities which were taken in hand – such as the building of a concrete road outside the gate of a private residence and broken boulders through which a road goes down to the foreshore – before a development application was filed with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
After the application to sanction the illegalities was dismissed, the gate, rubble troughs and landscaping were carried out. Invasive trees such as ailanthus, acacia and eucalyptus were recently planted, RAM said.RAM also claimed that two youths attempted to snatch the camera of two ramblers before the youths returned to the house. Otherwise, the walk was peaceful and the organisation plans to repeat this in the future, RAM said.
In a letter to the Director General, Government Property Division, RAM said the protest was the culmination of years of complaints, objections and futile efforts over the situation at Fomm ir-Rih Bay. This explained that while "sympathy and lip-service" were forthcoming from various ministers and authorities, "proceedings on the ground worsened, with the situation deteriorating to unprecedented illegality."
The protest walk was held with the purpose of raising more awareness in society of the situation prevailing at Fomm ir-Rih which RAM described as "a state of affairs symptomatic of the widespread problems of accessibility, degradation and lawlessness in the countryside." RAM said it felt the necessity to convey this message at the end of its programme of walks, out of concern that matters in the open areas of Malta are getting out of hand.
The organisation urged the Government Property Division to "immediately re-establish the public path from the Bahrija side to the foreshore of the bay which was conceded by public deed of 1983 but never maintained."
Similarly, RAM called for action to restore the countryside and foreshore to a natural state by removing signs, gates and other obstacles put up without permission to prevent or limit access to the public, restore blocked pathways and country lanes and stop the ecological ravage that is illegally going on through unauthorised building and illicit plantation of invasive trees and plants.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Ramblers protest against ravage at Fomm ir-Riħ
From the Times of Malta of July 30, 2008
Ramblers protest against ravage at Fomm ir-Riħ
"Culmination of years of complaints, objections and futile efforts"
Ramblers protesting yesterday against the lack of public access to the bay at Fomm ir-Riħ. Photo: Malta Ramblers Association.
The Ramblers Association yesterday walked at Fomm ir-Riħ in protest at the lack of access to a public beach and the ecological ravage caused by what it said were unauthorised buildings and illicit plantation of invasive trees and plants.
Association president Lino Bugeja said that a report on the area by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) "unashamedly makes no mention of the pitiful state of the natural environment, totally ignoring the rapid deterioration of the countryside and coastal zones throughout the Maltese islands".
Did this mean that areas of high landscape value, ecological importance and accessibility to coastal zones were no longer Mepa's responsibility? he asked. He pointed out that the parliamentary secretary responsible for lands, Jason Azzopardi, had requested an urgent meeting on the matter, with which he is not yet fully conversant, and sent a team from his department to prepare a preliminary survey of the Fomm ir-Riħ which is to form the basis for discussion.
In a protest letter, being sent to the director general of the Government Property Division and copied to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat and to Dr Azzopardi, the association said that their protest was "the culmination of years of complaints, objections and futile efforts" over the situation at Fomm ir-Riħ Bay.
"While sympathy and lip-service were forthcoming from various ministers and authorities... proceedings on the ground, where it really mattered worsened, with the situation deteriorating to unprecedented illegality."
The association called on the director general to:
Immediately take in hand the re-establishment of the path from the Baħrija side. This public path to the foreshore of the bay was conceded by public deed in 1983 but never maintained.
Restore the old road on the Ras il-Pellegrin side that rightfully belong to the people from time immemorial and that was unilaterally blocked in 1969 despite public protests ever since.
Put an effective stop to the ecological ravage through unauthorised development and illicit plantation of invasive trees and non-indigenous plants illegally taking place on location, a Natura 2000 site, harming the local ecosystem.
Ramblers protest against ravage at Fomm ir-Riħ
"Culmination of years of complaints, objections and futile efforts"
Ramblers protesting yesterday against the lack of public access to the bay at Fomm ir-Riħ. Photo: Malta Ramblers Association.
The Ramblers Association yesterday walked at Fomm ir-Riħ in protest at the lack of access to a public beach and the ecological ravage caused by what it said were unauthorised buildings and illicit plantation of invasive trees and plants.
Association president Lino Bugeja said that a report on the area by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) "unashamedly makes no mention of the pitiful state of the natural environment, totally ignoring the rapid deterioration of the countryside and coastal zones throughout the Maltese islands".
Did this mean that areas of high landscape value, ecological importance and accessibility to coastal zones were no longer Mepa's responsibility? he asked. He pointed out that the parliamentary secretary responsible for lands, Jason Azzopardi, had requested an urgent meeting on the matter, with which he is not yet fully conversant, and sent a team from his department to prepare a preliminary survey of the Fomm ir-Riħ which is to form the basis for discussion.
In a protest letter, being sent to the director general of the Government Property Division and copied to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat and to Dr Azzopardi, the association said that their protest was "the culmination of years of complaints, objections and futile efforts" over the situation at Fomm ir-Riħ Bay.
"While sympathy and lip-service were forthcoming from various ministers and authorities... proceedings on the ground, where it really mattered worsened, with the situation deteriorating to unprecedented illegality."
The association called on the director general to:
Immediately take in hand the re-establishment of the path from the Baħrija side. This public path to the foreshore of the bay was conceded by public deed in 1983 but never maintained.
Restore the old road on the Ras il-Pellegrin side that rightfully belong to the people from time immemorial and that was unilaterally blocked in 1969 despite public protests ever since.
Put an effective stop to the ecological ravage through unauthorised development and illicit plantation of invasive trees and non-indigenous plants illegally taking place on location, a Natura 2000 site, harming the local ecosystem.
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Zurrieq Environs 26th July 2008
From our starting point we headed towards the small village of Safi, passing by its parish church at 5:15am, then towards Misrah Hlantun till we reached the Hal Far Road. Following secondary roads, we reached the archeological remains at tal-Baqqari and continued walking till we reached the outskirts of Bubaqra. After crossing Wied il-Bassasa, we passed by Wardija Tower (one of the 13 watch towers built by Grandmaster de Redin) and headed towards il-Munqar through footpaths, with beautiful views of Filfla.
After a very short break at this point, we continued over the ridge of Wied Babu – with excellent early-morning views of il-Hnejja (Blue Grotto) – till we reached Hal Millieri after passing through Hal Lew and near tal-Hniena chapel. We returned to our starting point through another footpath after stopping for a few minutes to observe the chapel dedicated to St.John at Hal Millieri.
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
Distance: 16 km
Walk Leader: Simon
Some photos below, courtesy of Marcel Pisani.
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Wardija Tower – built by Grandmaster Martin de Redin
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Wied iz-Zurrieq & another coastal watchpost – it-Torri ta’ Wied iz-Zurrieq
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Il-Munqar
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Descending in the vicinity of Wied il-Bassasa
.JPG)
Heading towards il-Munqar
After a very short break at this point, we continued over the ridge of Wied Babu – with excellent early-morning views of il-Hnejja (Blue Grotto) – till we reached Hal Millieri after passing through Hal Lew and near tal-Hniena chapel. We returned to our starting point through another footpath after stopping for a few minutes to observe the chapel dedicated to St.John at Hal Millieri.
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
Distance: 16 km
Walk Leader: Simon
Some photos below, courtesy of Marcel Pisani.
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Archeological remains at tal-Baqqari
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Outskirts of Bubaqra
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Wardija Tower – built by Grandmaster Martin de Redin.JPG)
Wied iz-Zurrieq & another coastal watchpost – it-Torri ta’ Wied iz-Zurrieq.JPG)
Il-Munqar.JPG)
Descending in the vicinity of Wied il-Bassasa.JPG)
Heading towards il-Munqar .JPG)
A short break
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On the ridge of Wied Babu – views of il-Hnejja & Filfla
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Letters to the Press Sunday 13th July 2008
Great expectations implode
As published in today's TMIS and Malta Today.
A sense of revulsion has gripped the Ramblers’ Association of Malta (RAM), as the full significance sinks in of the events that unfolded on the morning that the Mepa board met for the seemingly fake purpose of ruling on the Fort Cambridge application.
The general and obvious impression is that it was a foregone conclusion and it follows that the NGOs and other innocent parties involved continue to be taken for a ride. It appears that board members, paid out of taxpayers’ money, still willingly conspire to convene for a mock meeting, to carry on making a fool of those same taxpayers whose interests they are paid to protect.
RAM feels most aggrieved by the fact that the new chairman met with a delegation from the Association only one week before the meeting, when he drew a picture of integrity and declared that he saw allies in the NGOs, whose work to report illegalities to the authorities was invaluable and could never be achieved by government policing. In truth, as far as Government is concerned, NGOs continue to serve only one purpose – that of scapegoats.
It is hurtful and ironic that a person of his stature, who first declares himself still unacquainted with the complexities of his new post and technically incompetent regarding the specifics of the engineering profession, should suddenly appear to engineer such a frame-up, then spring up barefacedly to cover it with a fabrication that insults the intelligence of one and all. This is not permissible in a civilised society, where justice has to be seen to be done, crystal-clear.
RAM had other expectations from the new chairman. Following on from the fallout of the DCC board resignation, the Ramla l-Hamra permit revocation, the Mistra disco and Mistra Towers cases, and following the factual revelations from evidence by Astrid Vella in the case at the Gozo courts, he was expected to follow up with investigations of other debacles such as the Safi Supermarket and the Tas-Sellum development, as well as many others. He was likewise then expected to seek the revocation of permits on the grounds of irregular procedures and that so many sections of the law have been broken. That would have been a happy day for environmental justice. Contrary to expectations, it is not a new broom that has been brought in to sweep Mepa clean, and tricks of the trade remain stubbornly stuck. It proved an implosion, as matters get factually worse.
The silence of the Prime Minister on the matter cries out aloud, but is not surprising. One has only to consider the parallelism to the other infamous stance taken by the Prime Minister to overlook the illegal occupation of public land by daylight-robber citizens, making mockery here again of the upright and honest citizen. For is it not appalling that rights of access in the countryside are generally denied to common citizens – lawful constitutional rights just to walk, while possession illegally usurped by the few brazen-faced is condoned? This logic presumes an inferior IQ level for the upright citizens who are ready to accept the prevailing situation where illegal possession of public property is condoned and illegal construction and destruction is sanctioned, but legal lawful rights of way are denied.
One would be very mistaken to believe that ours is a democratic republic, where equal rights are constitutionally protected. It is a far cry from that! Rather, it is an oligarchy of environmental villains whose only knowledge of land use is based on personal profit and pleasure. This oligarchy uses votes and money to blackmail a democratically elected government, weakened by a relative majority election result and dependent upon land transfer revenue and relative tax as major sources of income.
RAM is disgusted at the way Government, which has the authority to govern by simply applying the existing rules of the land, abdicates its responsibility not only by turning a blind eye to the breaking of the law, but goes so far as to condone it. There is a dearth of political will to apply the law, but an abundance of political ingenuity to dodge it.
Alex Vella
Hon. Secretary
Ramblers Association
| by Alex Vella |
A sense of revulsion has gripped the Ramblers’ Association of Malta (RAM), as the full significance sinks in of the events that unfolded on the morning that the Mepa board met for the seemingly fake purpose of ruling on the Fort Cambridge application.
The general and obvious impression is that it was a foregone conclusion and it follows that the NGOs and other innocent parties involved continue to be taken for a ride. It appears that board members, paid out of taxpayers’ money, still willingly conspire to convene for a mock meeting, to carry on making a fool of those same taxpayers whose interests they are paid to protect.
RAM feels most aggrieved by the fact that the new chairman met with a delegation from the Association only one week before the meeting, when he drew a picture of integrity and declared that he saw allies in the NGOs, whose work to report illegalities to the authorities was invaluable and could never be achieved by government policing. In truth, as far as Government is concerned, NGOs continue to serve only one purpose – that of scapegoats.
It is hurtful and ironic that a person of his stature, who first declares himself still unacquainted with the complexities of his new post and technically incompetent regarding the specifics of the engineering profession, should suddenly appear to engineer such a frame-up, then spring up barefacedly to cover it with a fabrication that insults the intelligence of one and all. This is not permissible in a civilised society, where justice has to be seen to be done, crystal-clear.
RAM had other expectations from the new chairman. Following on from the fallout of the DCC board resignation, the Ramla l-Hamra permit revocation, the Mistra disco and Mistra Towers cases, and following the factual revelations from evidence by Astrid Vella in the case at the Gozo courts, he was expected to follow up with investigations of other debacles such as the Safi Supermarket and the Tas-Sellum development, as well as many others. He was likewise then expected to seek the revocation of permits on the grounds of irregular procedures and that so many sections of the law have been broken. That would have been a happy day for environmental justice. Contrary to expectations, it is not a new broom that has been brought in to sweep Mepa clean, and tricks of the trade remain stubbornly stuck. It proved an implosion, as matters get factually worse.
The silence of the Prime Minister on the matter cries out aloud, but is not surprising. One has only to consider the parallelism to the other infamous stance taken by the Prime Minister to overlook the illegal occupation of public land by daylight-robber citizens, making mockery here again of the upright and honest citizen. For is it not appalling that rights of access in the countryside are generally denied to common citizens – lawful constitutional rights just to walk, while possession illegally usurped by the few brazen-faced is condoned? This logic presumes an inferior IQ level for the upright citizens who are ready to accept the prevailing situation where illegal possession of public property is condoned and illegal construction and destruction is sanctioned, but legal lawful rights of way are denied.
One would be very mistaken to believe that ours is a democratic republic, where equal rights are constitutionally protected. It is a far cry from that! Rather, it is an oligarchy of environmental villains whose only knowledge of land use is based on personal profit and pleasure. This oligarchy uses votes and money to blackmail a democratically elected government, weakened by a relative majority election result and dependent upon land transfer revenue and relative tax as major sources of income.
RAM is disgusted at the way Government, which has the authority to govern by simply applying the existing rules of the land, abdicates its responsibility not only by turning a blind eye to the breaking of the law, but goes so far as to condone it. There is a dearth of political will to apply the law, but an abundance of political ingenuity to dodge it.
Alex Vella
Hon. Secretary
Ramblers Association
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Mgarr environs July 12, 2008
Another early morning walk led by Simon.
Starting near Kastell Zammitellu, we headed north, passing through beautiful garigue areas known as Ta’ Garibaldi and ix-Xaghra ta’ Ghar is-Sienja. We reached the Roman baths at Ghajn Tuffieha, and eventually Ras il-Gebel, from where we followed a footpath towards il-Ballut and il-Palma on the Wardija Ridge. We continued on the ridge of il-Hotba ta’ San Martin and returned to our starting point through Ta’ Mrejnu & Ta’ Darrenzi.
Some photos below.
Il-Hotba ta’ San Martin & views of Bajda Ridge & Mellieha Ridge
Starting near Kastell Zammitellu, we headed north, passing through beautiful garigue areas known as Ta’ Garibaldi and ix-Xaghra ta’ Ghar is-Sienja. We reached the Roman baths at Ghajn Tuffieha, and eventually Ras il-Gebel, from where we followed a footpath towards il-Ballut and il-Palma on the Wardija Ridge. We continued on the ridge of il-Hotba ta’ San Martin and returned to our starting point through Ta’ Mrejnu & Ta’ Darrenzi.
Some photos below.
Heading towards il-Palma ( Wardija Ridge )
A very short rest
Beautiful garigue – ix-Xaghra ta’ Ghar is-Sienja
On the ridge heading towards il-Hotba ta’ San Martin
Il-Hotba ta’ San Martin, with Manikata in the background
Il-Hotba ta’ San Martin & views of Bajda Ridge & Mellieha RidgePhotos below courtesy of Marcel Pisani.
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Ras il-Gebel
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Sunrise over Pwales Valley
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Heading towards il-Hotba ta’ San Martin
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Leaving Ta’ Darrenzi, with Victoria Lines in the background
Thursday, 10 July 2008
A White Paper on the environment
Article published in the Times of Malta, Thursday, 10th July 2008
A White Paper on the environment
Lino Bugeja
Arecent report by the European Union on the state of the environment in all EU countries has placed Malta at the very bottom of the environment league.
Such a frightening and damning indictment calls for concerted action by all stakeholders in the field in order to extricate our "fair land" from this unenviable position, which makes a mockery of the much-vaunted "quality of life" promised by our politicians. Furthermore, the repercussions of this report, widely reported in the world press, will surely have a negative effect on various sectors of the economy. However, I take heart from the fact that Malta's decline down the morass of its environmental shambles is being seriously noted by the civilised world.
Our assiduous campaign, initiated 14 years ago (The Sunday Times September 11, 1994) pleading for sanity in our threatened countryside, has to date been joined by a hoarse chorus of voices raising the red-alarm for the whole nation to listen to the voice of reason. To no avail, as the destruction, misappropriation, dispossession and rape of our countryside continues with impunity in an accelerated form sometimes encouraged by those whose duty it is to protect what is ours by birth right.
At the heart of the problem is money and the Oliver Twist syndrome, a chronic malaise that is visibly and permanently eroding our countryside and urban centres of their unique features that have endured the ravages of time and war for thousands of years.
We have been duped into believing in "Great Expectations" as the Prime Minister and a new chairman took full responsibility of Mepa... And, to continue with this Dickensian theme, we are now facing "Hard Times". A recent meeting of the Ramblers' Association with the Minister of Justice specifically to report environmental injustices fizzled out into an exercise in futility as the minister revealed that his responsibilities have been fragmented ending up under three other ministries.
But the real irony is that our persistent drive to protect, preserve and recover that which is lost is threatening that which still survives as an impotent government has cold feet or adopts an appeasing attitude in the face of land grabbers, squatters and "rapists".
Without any shadow of doubt, the disastrous EU environmental report on Malta will be further accentuated when other green issues are exposed, particularly the state of the countryside, the obliteration of urban centres and the misappropriation of coastal zones.
The perception that the law is heavily tilted in favour of developers and speculators is being reinforced by recent developments; high rise buildings in urban centres obliterating historical sites as in Vittoriosa, where a whole bastion on the Kalkara side has been totally screened by a concrete and glass jungle, as well as the uglification of the once elegant Valletta skyline, viewed from Kalkara heights, with high-rise Tigné Point development, to be further spoilt by the towering heights of Fort Cambridge.
How can honest citizens cope with this savage onslaught on our environment when the developer is always the blue-eyed boy of Mepa? Suffice it to say that the developers have the privilege and the right to commission a person of their own choice to draw up the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) with regard to their application.
We are now witnessing massive coastal developments in pristine coastal zones gobbling up whole areas as in Fomm ir-Riħ where various enforcement orders and direct orders have been totally ignored. The rural landscape is gradually disappearing with illegal structures mushrooming all over the Maltese islands from Delimara to Ras il-Wardija in Gozo.
In these circumstances, the Ramblers' Association of Malta is requesting Parliament once again to re-activate our petition for a White Paper on the environment submitted three years ago, symbolically on July 14, Bastille Day. For all the free citizens this day evokes the dignity of the human person in the face of all forms of adversity. It is a sign of national unity and love of country as expressed by the great Scottish poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott , no stranger to Malta, in his patriotic verses:
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead."Who never to himself has said"This is my own, my native land."
A White Paper on the environment
Lino Bugeja
Arecent report by the European Union on the state of the environment in all EU countries has placed Malta at the very bottom of the environment league.
Such a frightening and damning indictment calls for concerted action by all stakeholders in the field in order to extricate our "fair land" from this unenviable position, which makes a mockery of the much-vaunted "quality of life" promised by our politicians. Furthermore, the repercussions of this report, widely reported in the world press, will surely have a negative effect on various sectors of the economy. However, I take heart from the fact that Malta's decline down the morass of its environmental shambles is being seriously noted by the civilised world.
Our assiduous campaign, initiated 14 years ago (The Sunday Times September 11, 1994) pleading for sanity in our threatened countryside, has to date been joined by a hoarse chorus of voices raising the red-alarm for the whole nation to listen to the voice of reason. To no avail, as the destruction, misappropriation, dispossession and rape of our countryside continues with impunity in an accelerated form sometimes encouraged by those whose duty it is to protect what is ours by birth right.
At the heart of the problem is money and the Oliver Twist syndrome, a chronic malaise that is visibly and permanently eroding our countryside and urban centres of their unique features that have endured the ravages of time and war for thousands of years.
We have been duped into believing in "Great Expectations" as the Prime Minister and a new chairman took full responsibility of Mepa... And, to continue with this Dickensian theme, we are now facing "Hard Times". A recent meeting of the Ramblers' Association with the Minister of Justice specifically to report environmental injustices fizzled out into an exercise in futility as the minister revealed that his responsibilities have been fragmented ending up under three other ministries.
But the real irony is that our persistent drive to protect, preserve and recover that which is lost is threatening that which still survives as an impotent government has cold feet or adopts an appeasing attitude in the face of land grabbers, squatters and "rapists".
Without any shadow of doubt, the disastrous EU environmental report on Malta will be further accentuated when other green issues are exposed, particularly the state of the countryside, the obliteration of urban centres and the misappropriation of coastal zones.
The perception that the law is heavily tilted in favour of developers and speculators is being reinforced by recent developments; high rise buildings in urban centres obliterating historical sites as in Vittoriosa, where a whole bastion on the Kalkara side has been totally screened by a concrete and glass jungle, as well as the uglification of the once elegant Valletta skyline, viewed from Kalkara heights, with high-rise Tigné Point development, to be further spoilt by the towering heights of Fort Cambridge.
How can honest citizens cope with this savage onslaught on our environment when the developer is always the blue-eyed boy of Mepa? Suffice it to say that the developers have the privilege and the right to commission a person of their own choice to draw up the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) with regard to their application.
We are now witnessing massive coastal developments in pristine coastal zones gobbling up whole areas as in Fomm ir-Riħ where various enforcement orders and direct orders have been totally ignored. The rural landscape is gradually disappearing with illegal structures mushrooming all over the Maltese islands from Delimara to Ras il-Wardija in Gozo.
In these circumstances, the Ramblers' Association of Malta is requesting Parliament once again to re-activate our petition for a White Paper on the environment submitted three years ago, symbolically on July 14, Bastille Day. For all the free citizens this day evokes the dignity of the human person in the face of all forms of adversity. It is a sign of national unity and love of country as expressed by the great Scottish poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott , no stranger to Malta, in his patriotic verses:
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead."Who never to himself has said"This is my own, my native land."
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