Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1526855
9 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 20 SEPTEMBER 2024 OPINION Mark Sultana is Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife Malta Mark Sultana GOZO is sufferring from the atrocious development push that the entire coun- try has been experiencing coupled with a number of planning policies that are aimed to allow a free for all scenario. There has never been as much develop- ment on the island and neither has its population and visitors' numbers been so high. These have a negative impact on all the aspects that makes Gozo unique: the tranquility and calmness, the distinct villages with natural areas in between, the secluded areas that one can go in for peace and quite. I think this Government's economic model based on quantity more than qual- ity, can be successful from a monetary point of view but it has destroyed the fab- ric of what made Gozo unique. Needless to say, being a small island, with increas- ing number of people visiting it, the im- pacts are big and planning is crucial. Unfortunately planning is the weak- est link in Malta with the Planning Au- thorithy being not only soft and more permotting to illegalities and loopholes, but have also recently even sanctioned buildings that have been found built ille- gal by Chief Justice Chetcuti in the Ap- peals Court. This is a dangerous prece- dent that has united various NGOs, also from Gozo, to protest harshly against this antidemocratic approach by the Planning Authorthy. The Planning Authorthy falls also under Minister Clint Camilleri, the. minister of Gozo and Planning, and he has yet to comment about this obsentity. Although Gozo can be seen loosing its charm, it still holds a level of charisma that makes it a place to go to when one has a few days off. This is also because Malta has unfortunately become one massive city, with traffic jams, high air pollution level and a quality of life that is degard- ing annually. Indeed Malta is worse than Gozo and hnece Gozo remains an attrac- tion. My point is that Gozo used to offer more than what it offers today. For ex- ample thirty years ago I would have said driving without any traffic is something one can experience in Gozo. That's not the case anymore. Swimming in clear blue seas was another and while I am sure many would argue that the beaches are as beautiful as ever, I ask them to have a chat with Qala's Mayor who saw the bay in Hondoq ir-Rummien being destroyed by large floating patches of slime from the acquaculture industry. There is still hope and time for Gozo to be saved but much harm has been done which saddens many like me. Biodeversity Gozo is a treasure trove of unique bio- diversity, boasting several sites of signif- icant scientific importance. These areas, such as Dwejra Bay and the Fungus rock, Ta' Cenc cliffs, Ramla Bay, Sarraflu Pond, Wied il-Mielaħ and San Dimitri Point, are not just scientific marvels but also a testa- ment to the island's natural beauty. While some sites are protected under Maltese law and European Union direc- tives, such as the Natura 2000 network, the need for active conservation efforts is urgent. Each site has a management plan but unfprtunately this remains on paper only, with very little to none is done in terms of conservation measures and ac- tions. The management plans need to be implemented and one wonders why this lethargy to portect and take care what is so valuable for Gozo. We must all play a part in safeguarding these different sites to preserve Gozo's rich biodiversity but the government and its authorthies play an crucial role here and carry a big re- sponsibility. Raising awareness of Gozo's biodiversity is also essential, such as the Maltese Fun- gus (Cynomorium coccineum). Although not a true fungus, this parasitic plant was historically prized for its medicinal properties. The surrounding area around Dwejra is rich in biodiversity, featuring habitats such as seagrass meadows (Po- sidonia oceanica), which are crucial for maintaining marine ecosystems. Ta' Ċenċ Cliffs are an essential habitat for several bird species, particularly seabirds. The cliffs are a breeding site for species such as the Scopoli's Shearwater (Calonetrics ), while the plateu is home for breeding paurs of Short Toed Larks (Calandrella brachydactyla). Ramla l-Ħamra is now regularly on the news for turtle hatchings. These sites on Gozo are not only valu- able for their ecological importance but also offer unique opportunities for sci- entific research and ecotourism. For re- searchers, these sites provide a living lab- oratory to study unique ecosystems and rare species. For eco-tourists, they offer a chance to appreciate the island's natural heritage, providing a sustainable source of income for local communities and rais- ing awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation. Potential for breeding birds The potential of Gozo, and Malta for that matter, to increase breeding birds is defin- tely there however we need to seriously deal with the threats they face. Although we had around four pairs of Kestrels in Gozo breeding this year, many of the young fledged birds were hunted down. The rabbit hunting season, which starts from June, creates a great smokescreen that allows triggger-happy hunters and those eager to incerase their stuffed birds collection, to hunt illegally for protected birds. I have to mention the fact that enforce- ment in Gozo with regards to envrionmn- etal crimes especially hunting and trap- ping is negligent. The Envrionment Protection Unit with- in the police force is not allowed to op- erate in Gozo and illegalities are rampant and common. Minister Camilleri is also repsosible for hunting and trapping, even if I question and challenge the legality of that remit taken away from the Minister for Environ- ment. The Minister, known to be a hunter and trapper himself, bends over backwards fo make sure he doesn't irritate the gozitan hunters. This does not agur well to that potential I mentioned before. In next week's issue of GozoToday: The opinion of the hunters' lobby Enforcement in Gozo with regards to hunting and trapping is negligent The Envrionment Protection Unit within the police force is not allowed to operate in Gozo