Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1516411
MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt 9 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 FEBRUARY 2024 Project Green's valley interventions 'unprofessional', expert says PROJECT Green's valley inter- ventions aimed at eliminating the presence of invasive plant species are improperly car- ried out and lack essential fol- low-ups, MaltaToday has learnt. The flagship government envi- ronmental entity tasked with the creation of open spaces also took over valley management works. A year after its establishment, MaltaToday took a closer look at the entity's work and found that 37% of projects were entirely focused on the rehabilitation of valleys. These works collectively cost €3,672,239. But an expert who spoke to MaltaToday was unimpressed with the one-off interventions by Project Green. Project Green has described the works carried out in valleys as "the general cleaning of the site from any dumped waste, re- moval of invasive alien species," and the planting of riparian trees and shrubs, "where applicable." One of the valley projects is Swieqi's Wied Mejxu in Sep- tember 2023. When the entity responded to this newspaper's questions about the works, it was explained that these in- volved the removal of invasive alien species, namely Arundo donax (Giant reed) and Ricinus communis (Caster oil tree). However, when MaltaToday visited the valley recently both invasive plant species were very much present in the area. In fact, the only visible human interven- tion was a hole in the ground with giant reeds sprouting out and garbage close by. According to information ta- bled in parliament, these works cost €9,790. MaltaToday visited the area near Ta' Brija Cemetery in Sig- giewi, where Project Green re- moved giant reeds. In this case, this newspaper is informed that the entity conducted these works with a digger. According to Project Green, excess sediment was also re- moved to ensure that no roots remain, and the works were done to create space for rainwa- ter runoff to flow thus mitigating flooding and avoiding soil ero- sion in surrounding fields. Likewise, this newspaper found invasive plant species which had grown back significantly, as well as a few pieces of garbage thrown out from the road. Unprofessional works MaltaToday spoke to Professor Joseph Buhagiar, an associate professor of biology at the Uni- versity of Malta to gauge his re- action to Project Green's works. Buhagiar described these inter- ventions as "unprofessional" and "a big mistake," noting that the haphazard removal of alien spe- cies could lead to more deserti- fication. Buhagiar noted that such works cannot be properly carried out with a digger, as the removal of alien species requires knowl- edgeable workers who pick the species by hand after weeks of mapping and preparations. He further explained that proper works must also include exten- sive follow-ups to fully eradicate the invasive plants. He noted that the money spent on these works could be utilised much better, insisting that "there is a science behind the removal of invasive plant species and the rehabilitation of such sites." Buhagiar went on to say that each invasive species has its own way of eradication, adding that a worker cannot simply come in with a digger and expect to solve the problem. "The drive and intention (be- hind the interventions) is good, but the execution is extremely lacking," he underlined. Buhagiar also spoke about the presence of garbage in the areas seen by MaltaToday. Similar- ly, he noted that the removal of waste must also be frequent and thorough, as the presence of gar- bage in any space invites more people to litter and throw away bulky refuse. Work carried out i Swiqi Valley (top) and Siggiewi (above) Call for Quotations Fondazzjoni għall‑Patrimonju Kulturali tal‑Arċidjoċesi ta' Malta is issuing a call for quotations for the restoration of San Niklaw Chapel, Triq Xrobb l‑Għaġin, Żejtun. Interested bidders are to send an email to fond.pkam@gmail.com requesting a copy of the RFQ document, together with the applicable restoration method statement and Planning Authority documents (PA/04683/22), quoting the reference details below. RFQ‑FPKAM/‑001: (Restoration of San Niklaw Chapel). Issue date: 25 February 2024 Last date of submission: 18 March 2024 at 11am local time For viewing and/or clarifications contact us on 25906400 during office hours. Quotations are to be emailed or submitted by hand within deadline to fond.pkam@gmail.com