Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1350550
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 MARCH 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Yet another valuable open green space at risk MALTA is the smallest country within the EU yet has the highest popula- tion density, with over 1,500 persons per square kilometre. Over a third of the land is urbanised and another 43% is under cultivation. Public open green spaces and natural areas are scarce, and the few that remain are often threatened by unscrupulous and scheming developers. One such open green space, of eco- logical, social and cultural importance, lies between the towns of Naxxar and Mosta. The locality is known as Tal- Wej and is home to a suite of rare hab- itats and species, most notably fresh- water rockpools with rare aquatic flora and fauna including endemic species and the unique Tadpole Shrimp. This living fossil and relict of the Triassic (a time when the Earth's landmasses formed a supercontinent that extend- ed from Pole to Pole) and its vulner- able rockpool habitat are protected under both the EU Habitats Directive and local legislation. These rockpools are scarce in the Mediterranean and are listed as a Pri- ority Habitat within the EU – these are rare and extremely ecologically impor- tant habitats which are in danger of disappearance. Therefore this site and its protection is not only in the nation- al interest, but also of international importance. The area's rich heritage value is also of significance, evidence of which is the vast concentration of archaeologi- cal features found here. These include extensive arrays of cart-ruts, silos and funerary monuments of Bronze Age, Punic tombs, and other features such as rock-cut vine trenches and quar- ries of classical antiquity, together with other historical assets from the Knights of St John and early British periods. Ancient pastoral routes, pro- viding historical evidence of transhu- mance across the area, have also been identified. These are all testament to the profound significance of the cul- tural heritage clustered at Tal-Wej, in addition to what may still be discov- ered. The site provides hundreds of peo- ple with yet another benefit in small and congested Malta, that of mental and physical wellbeing, leisure and recreation within the area's ever-dwin- dling accessible countryside. Scores of dog-walkers, nature lovers, wildlife photographers and heritage enthu- siasts visit Tal-Wej on a daily basis. Members of the public visit the area simply to take leisurely walks in this open green space. In a major positive step, the area was recently proposed as a Natura 2000 site. This would enshrine the area's protection at European level and give it the recognition it deserves. However, some land-owners have lodged an appeal against the site's designation – presumably because such protection would put paid to any prospects of developing their land parcels, even if the area is already pro- tected at national level and is Outside Development Zone. Malta just cannot afford to lose any more of its remaining accessible open green spaces – and especially not to more development. Concerned citizens have launched this petition in a bid to call on the government to ensure the site retains its full protection as a valuable Natura 2000 site: https://www.change.org/ protecttalwej Annalise Falzon and Dr Benjamin Metzger Via email