Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544087
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 27 MARCH 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Buttigieg said that unutilised funds from a separate scheme for scheduled properties out- side UCAs, amounting to €500,000, have been redirect- ed to Gozo, bringing the total allocation for the region to €2 million. Funding is distributed pro- portionally based on the num- ber of properties within UCAs in each region, with the scheme being rolled out region by re- gion to ensure fairness and transparency. Eligible applicants may re- ceive up to €15,000 for restora- tion works on properties with- in UCAs, up to €100,000 for Grade 1 scheduled buildings, and up to €50,000 for Grade 2 buildings located within UCAs. Applications can be submit- ted online via the Planning Au- thority website or in person, and will be processed in the order received. Eligible applicants may receive up to €15,000 for restoration works on properties within UCAs The scheme is being administered by the Planning Authority, whose executive chairman Johann Buttigieg outlined strong demand in previous regional calls CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The warning comes amid ris- ing environmental crime across Malta. The CrimeMalta Obser- vatory Annual Crime Review 2025 reported a 47% increase in cases classified under envi- ronmental crime, rising from 174 in 2024 to 255 in 2025. The increase was mostly linked to illegal hunting, trapping, and poaching, although possession of protected species showed a slight decline. The MRU highlighted a recent case in Gozo that illustrates the issue. Rangers discovered an il- legal waste fire in Għasri, where an individual was burning plas- tic material. Thick smoke spread across the area, polluting the air, but by the time the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) ar- rived, the offender had already left. "Without a patrolling En- vironmental Protection Unit (EPU) in Gozo, environmental crimes are thriving and offend- ers feel a sense of impunity," the spokesperson said. "The chance of being reported is low because the island is small and people are often reluctant to come for- ward out of fear. The chance of being spotted by an authority is nearly non-existent without patrolling units. And even if reported, the chance of being caught is low without a dedicat- ed, specialised EPU police." The Rangers documented the fire and alerted ERA, which re- sponded and assured that the owner of the field would be addressed. The MRU spokes- person emphasised that inci- dents like these are becoming increasingly common and that the lack of enforcement sends a concerning message about environmental protection in Gozo. Environmental crime has been an emerging concern in Mal- ta over the past few years. The category was formally intro- duced in 2024 to track offences such as illegal hunting, poach- ing, and illegal waste disposal. Experts warn that without a specialised unit, repeat offend- ers are likely to continue illegal activities, affecting biodiversity, public health, and air quality. Limited enforcement also dis- courages reporting, creating a culture of impunity. The MRU has called for the immediate creation of a ded- icated Environmental Police Unit in Gozo, arguing it would provide both deterrence and rapid response, improve coor- dination with existing agencies like ERA, and increase public confidence in environmental protection. Until such a unit is estab- lished, MRU and other NGOs continue to monitor and report offences, documenting evi- dence and alerting authorities. Residents are encouraged to report environmental crimes and support calls for stronger enforcement. A petition calling for a special- ised Environmental Police Unit in Gozo is available online, with organisers emphasising that community participation is key to safeguarding the island's nat- ural environment. Environmental crime has increased by 47% in 2025 according to report Illegal waste fire in Gozo