Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/720024
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 AUGUST 2016 16 News Environmental expert bemoans 'tree-hating Malta' The environment ministry published a report on afforestation and ecological restoration in Malta and opened it up for public consultation. PAUL COCKS spoke to Prof. Louis S. Cassar and Dr Elisabeth Conrad, the report's co-authors, to get a clearer picture of Malta's pastures green "IT would have been unwise for me not to action this report, which will complement other develop- ments aimed to increase Malta's natural capital and which will be announced in the coming weeks." So stated environment minister Jose Herrera on Tuesday, when he published the report drawn up by Cassar and Conrad, entitled 'An Outline Strategy For Implementa- tion of a National Restoration and Afforestation Project in the Mal- tese Islands'. The minister said he believed the report – which also gives de- tailed information on the present situation of tree planting in vari- ous sites and localities in Malta – could definitely serve as an over- arching vision and philosophy for actual and effective implementa- tion of an afforestation strategy. Which begets the question: why did the ministry wait 22 months to publish the report? MaltaToday learned that Cassar and Conrad submitted their report to then minister Leo Brincat in the first week of November 2014, just weeks after being entrusted with drawing up the report. The minister advised them that he would be discussing the report with experts within the ministry and with his colleagues in Cabi- net. Cassar and Conrad were tasked with providing an overall strategy for afforestation efforts in Malta, taking in the extent and effec- tiveness of previous afforestation initiatives implemented in Malta, the long-term actions necessary to safeguard and manage existing sites; and the potential for wood- land creation and management in new and suitable locations. And it does that. The report includes a number of both afforestation and restoration actions within rural and urban ar- eas, aimed at maximising both so- cial and ecological benefits to the greatest degree possible. Cassar explained that the strat- egy proposed seeks to provide in- creased recreational space, to en- hance exposure to nature in urban areas, to extend and buffer exist- ing areas of natural habitat, and to increase the provision of associ- ated ecosystem services wherever possible. "We lack trees," he said, as if that explained everything. And, surprisingly, it does. He then highlighted one cause for this: "We are a tree-hating na- tion." Not enough care and attention was paid to enhancing the envi- ronment, such as in what trees to plant in which location, together with which shrubs, he explained. Ecosystem services Tree planting in Malta has to date been guided by specific poli- cies and laws issued under rel- evant frameworks for environ- mental protection and spatial planning. The seven local plans provide detailed guidelines concerning a variety of relevant aspects, but do not provide for long-term mainte- nance and management of affor- ested sites. Cassar said they would like a more pro-active approach to af- forestation and ecological restora- tion projects, particularly since we have so few such projects. Conrad added that the country Choose a Career in Tourism At the Institute of Tourism Studies you will embark on a study path that allows you to become a qualified professional in the tourism and hospitality industry of tomorrow. This is what our partners in the industry are looking for and what will allow you to make of your passion a career. Hand in hand with local and international industry leaders you have the opportunity to excel. f \instituteoftourismstudies INSTITUTE OF TOURISM STUDIES registrar.its@gov.mt +356 23793 231/232 (Malta) + 356 22507 800 (Gozo) SCAN HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PROSPECTUS 16/17 Application forms can be submitted as follows: 5th, 6th & 7th September 2016 Dates: ITS Main Campus, St George's Bay, St Julians, Malta ITS Gozo Campus, Triq l-Isqof Buttigieg, Qala, Gozo Venues: 08:00 to 13:00 (Mon to Fri Only) Times: : www.its.edu.mt Second Call Full-time courses at the Institute of Tourism Studies for student registrations The rate of urban development over 7,000 years of more or less permanent human habitation on the Maltese islands has increased more than threefold in the last three decades or so Tree planting in Malta has to date been guided by specific policies and laws issued under relevant frameworks for environmental protection and spatial planning.