Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546219
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 AUGUST 2026 NEWS Comino deserves 'highest level' of protection, students and NGOs say COMINO deserves the highest level of environmental protec- tion, a coalition of student organ- isations, student representatives and NGOs has said. This comes after the Environ- ment and Resources Authority (ERA) approved a decision on Fri- day 7 August that the group says allows excavation works and the uprooting of 678 trees in connec- tion with a private development on the island. The development, covered by permit EP 1472/22, would see the construction of 16 holiday villas, 44 swimming pools and a 140-bed hotel within the Comi- no Hotel Complex at il-Bajja ta' San Niklaw, as well as works at the Comino Bungalows Area at il- Bajja ta' Santa Marija, under plan- ning application PA/04777/20. The coalition points to Comi- no's legal designations in mak- ing its case. Comino and its sur- rounding islets are designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and as a Special Protection Ar- ea under the EU Birds Directive, forming part of the Natura 2000 network. Various parts of the island are also designated as Areas of Eco- logical Importance, Sites of Scien- tific Importance, Tree Protection Areas, Bird Sanctuaries, and a Na- ture Reserve. According to the coalition, of the trees marked for uprooting, 468 are Oleanders, 125 are Mex- ican Fan Palms and 31 are Canary Island Date Palms, all non-en- demic and unprotected under the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations. The group says the decision also covers 33 protected Aleppo Pines and 21 Cypress Trees. The signatories argue that re- moving mature trees on such a scale raises environmental con- cerns regardless of protected status, as established vegetation provides shade, stabilises soil and reduces water runoff, all of which they say matter given the state of Comino's biodiversity and the seasonal pressure of tourism. The coalition says that, as com- pensation, 540 indigenous sap- lings are due to be planted to offset the removal of 54 protect- ed mature specimens, alongside further replacements for any of the 348 trees earmarked for trans- plantation that fail to survive. The signatories say this remains insufficient to offset the benefits provided by established vege- tation, and that compensatory planting should only be consid- ered a last resort, since it leaves a significant gap in time before any ecological benefits can be felt. The statement also raises con- cern over the wider impact of the project. While acknowledging the adverse effects identified in the Environmental Impact As- sessment, including construction and demolition-related noise, vibrations and waste, as well as increased infrastructure demand once the development is opera- tional, the signatories say the pro- ject sets a dangerous agenda for the urbanisation of Comino and the expansion of tourism there. They note that this is particular- ly concerning given the number of tourists who already visit the is- land, and that Comino's Carrying Capacity Study remains withheld from the public. A further concern raised in the statement concerns the project's planning and legal basis, particu- larly its compliance with the Local Plan and the protections afforded to Comino as a Natura 2000 site and Special Area of Conservation. The coalition say the develop- ment also raises questions over its compatibility with the Planning Objectives of the Comino Man- agement Plan, as well as rural development and design policies intended to safeguard such sites. They note that these concerns have already been raised regard- ing the project, with environmen- tal NGOs currently challenging the Planning Authority's permit in court. They say they support Movi- ment Graffitti and urge the ERA board to reconsider its decision. They are also calling into question the position taken by the Minister for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, Miriam Dalli, on the matter. They argue that econom- ic activity on Comino, particular- ly tourism, should be supported through small-scale infrastruc- ture and should prioritise the res- toration of existing buildings over large-scale development, adding that any intervention affecting Comino and its flora must be car- ried out in good faith and in line with the Management Plan's Vi- sion Statement and all applicable legislation and policies. The statement has been en- dorsed: The Association of Stu- dents of Commercial Studies, Betapsi Malta, the Classics & Archaeology Students' Associa- tion, the Criminology Students' Association, the Department of English Students Association, the Malta Law Students' Society, Għaqda Studenti tat-Teoloġija, Għaqda tal-Malti, the Gozo Uni- versity Group, the History of Art and Fine Arts Students' Associa- tion, the Junior Chamber of Ad- vocates, the Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ, the Kunsill Stu- denti Universitarji, the Malta As- sociation of Dental Students, the Malta Health Students' Associa- tion, the Malta International Re- lations Students Association, the Malta Medical Students' Asso- ciation, the Media & Knowledge Sciences Association, the Phar- macology and Clinical Therapeu- tics Students' Society, the Science Students' Society, the Society for Architecture & Civil Engineering Students, Studenti Demokrist- jani Maltin, Studenti Graffitti, Students for Liberty Malta, the University Engineering Students' Association and Young European Federalists Malta. It has also been signed by five University of Malta Senate stu- dent representatives, two Univer- sity Council student represent- atives, and two student faculty board representatives each from the Faculty of Medicine and Sur- gery and the Faculty of Laws. The following NGOs also en- dorsed the statement: the Astro- nomical Society of Malta, FAA Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, GreenHouse, the Grow 10 Trees Project, Il-Kollettiv, the Malta Environment Foundation, Malta Youth in Agriculture, the Malta Chamber of Scientists, the Foun- dation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, Wild for Orchids Community Malta and Wirt Għawdex. Reporting by Juliana Zammit A photomontage presented by Hili Ventures of the proposed hotel, which will replace the existing shuttered hotel Man arrested in St Julian's over alleged drug trafficking A 31-year-old man has been ar- rested in connection with alleged drug trafficking in St Julian's. The suspect, a 31-year-old man from Gambia residing in Gzira, was caught following police in- spections overnight between Monday and Tuesday. According to the police, while officers were conducting checks in the area of the Santa Ri- ta steps, they noticed a suspi- cious-looking man. When he spotted the police presence, he attempted to flee but was quickly stopped and ar- rested. A follow-up search of. his resi- dence uncovered further sachets suspected to contain cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine, along with pills suspected to be ecstasy (Photo: Police communications) A follow-up search of his resi- dence uncovered further sachets suspected to contain cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine, along with pills suspected to be ecstasy (Photo: Police communications) A search of the man turned up 31 green pills divided into 14 sachets, five pink pills divid- ed into four sachets, 15 sachets suspected to contain cannabis, 11 sachets suspected to contain cocaine, and two sachets con- taining a yellow crystalline sub- stance suspected to be amphet- amine. Cash and two mobile phones were also found on him. A follow-up search of. his resi- dence uncovered further sachets suspected to contain canna- bis, cocaine and amphetamine, along with pills suspected to be ecstasy. The man was taken to Police Headquarters for further inves- tigation and is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt According to the police, while officers were conducting checks in the area of the Santa Rita steps, they noticed a suspicious-looking man (Photo: Police communications)