Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512001
NEWS 10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 NOVEMBER 2023 THE Coalition for Gozo and Din L-Art Helwa are preparing to fight for the revocation of a per- mit awarded recently for con- struction near the world-famous Ggantija Temples as soon as the decision is published, warning that it poses a very serious threat to the integrity of the temple complex and its buffer zone and fully justifying the public outcry. The Coalition for Gozo is a dedicated advocate for en- vironmental conservation in Gozo, made up of Din L-Art Ħelwa Għawdex, Għawdix and Wirt Għawdex working with Din L-Art Helwa, Malta's Na- tional Trust. The Ġgantija Temples com- plex is a UNESCO World Her- itage Site and one of Malta's most cherished historical land- marks. The surrounding buffer zone established by UNESCO is essential for safeguarding their cultural and environmen- tal significance, serving as a protective measure against any development that could com- promise the authenticity and historical value of the temples. The Ggantija Temples complex are a legacy of past civilisations vitally important not just to Gozitans and to Maltese but to the Global Village that our country forms part of. Sites of such global importance are not up for sale, are not the domain of local developers, govern- mental authorities and politi- cians but a gift to the world and it is our duty to protect such sites for this and future gen- erations. There is no room for small minded, petty and outra- geously controversial thinking and decisions from people who should know better. Any such development as envisaged under PA/00570/21 which disrupt the visual set- ting of the temples, causes en- vironmental disturbances, and allows for the potential deg- radation of the temples' sur- roundings should be blocked without reserve. Din L-Art Helwa and the Co- alition for Gozo will be filing a request for the revocation of this permit based on flaws in the approval procedure, er- rors and incorrect information on which basis the permit was granted. The group also warned that al- lowing this construction would set a dangerous precedent for other sites being prepared for devastating new development in the vicinity of Ggantija Tem- ples and other sites of key his- torical and cultural importance in Malta and Gozo. They urge the public to join its efforts against PA/00570/21, and to advocate for responsible and sustainable development that respects the buffer zone and the unique cultural and environmental heritage it seeks to protect. Finally the Group noted the recent strong statements by Heritage Malta and the revised opinion from the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage to the Planning Authority and calls on the Government and the Planning Authority to do its duty to the nation and stop the environmental vandalism that is being wrought upon our nation. Gozo eNGOs and Din L-Art Helwa prepare to challenge Ggantija permit BYD, the world's leading manufactur- er of new energy vehicles, achieved re- cord-high NEV sales for the sixth con- secutive month in October 2023. This follows a record sales performance post- ed by BYD in the preceding third quar- ter. BYD has so far in 2023 sold over 2.37 million new energy passenger cars, with cumulative NEV sales now surpassing 5.7 million units, further crystallizing the brand's No.1 ranking for NEV sales on a worldwide scale. BYD sold 301,833 units of new ener- gy passenger vehicles in October 2023, surpassing the 300,000-unit threshold for the first time. 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