Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/797847
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 12 MARCH 2016 28 News Salina… the making of a new nature reserve for the Maltese islands DO you know that the Salina site is part of the Natura 2000 network and also a Special Area of Conservation? Do you know that the salt pans were constructed in the 16th century by the Knights of St John? Can you imagine how they were preserved during all these years? Do you know that the place has just been rehabilitated with the help of EU funds? And that a few months ago the government signed the initial agreement with BirdLife Malta for the site to be man- aged by the eNGO as another of its nature reserves? All that this site has to offer can be wit- nessed first hand thanks to an Open Day that the Ministry for Sustainable Devel- opment, the Environment and Climate Change together with BirdLife Malta will be holding today at the Salina Salt Pans be- tween 10.30am and 5pm. This will be the first opportunity for the public to visit the site as the Salina Nature Reserve will open its doors for families with children who are being invited to explore how nature and history can coexist if one manages to strike the right balance. It was at the end of last year that Bird- Life Malta signed the heads of agreement with the government to turn Salina into a Nature Reserve which it will manage to- gether with its Foresta 2000, Is-Simar and Għadira Nature Reserves. BirdLife Malta entrusted with yet another land management project Currently BirdLife Malta already manag- es a number of natural sites that were en- trusted to it by the government following the environmental NGO's work towards habitat restoration for biodiversity in these areas. These are Għadira Nature Reserve in Mellieħa, Is-Simar Nature Reserve at St Paul's Bay and Foresta 2000 which is a large expanse of afforestation in the north of Malta. It was following the success in the trans- formation and the management of these sites that BirdLife Malta is now also being trusted with the management of the Salina Salt Pans site. After the first step was taken towards the transfer of the site with the signing of the agreement in October 2016, all parties are now engaged to establish the general framework on the basis of which the Management Agreement is to be final- ised. As Environment Minister Josè Herrera had stated in October, the transfer of Sali- na to BirdLife Malta goes to prove the level of competence, professionalism and exper- tise of the NGO in managing projects on a national scale. The Salina Nature Reserve will not only be BirdLife Malta's largest land manage- ment project but also the largest nature reserve in Malta with a history linked to salt production. One is hopeful that the public will now be able to enjoy this unique site with its unique biodiversity, making it also a very important Natura 2000 site. This particular habitat and its biodiversity attracts various bird species. It serves as a resting place during their migration flights and also a wintering base for a few species such as gulls and waders. This is also an ideal site for the spectacular flamingo – a bird synonymous with salt pans, especially in the Mediterranean. This apart from several other species which are regularly observed onsite such as egrets and herons, Common Shelducks and Black-necked Grebes. With proper management, including control of human activity in certain areas of the site, the po- tential of having birds breed here is high. BirdLife Malta is confident that similar to the success achieved with new breed- ing birds in the Għadira and Simar Nature Reserves, Salina will also be hosting breed- ing birds such as the Black-winged Stilt – a bird which up to now locally breeds exclu- sively at Għadira Nature Reserve. Salina – some historical background The Salina site in Burmarrad is a pro- tected area forming part of the Natura 2000 network and was also declared a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). En- demic flora and fauna can be found in the area. The Salina Salt Pans were con- structed by the Knights of St John in the 16th century and the site was rehabili- tated with the help of European Union funds. The complex also includes three timber huts which were reconstructed on the same style of the original ones built by the British in the eighteenth century for salt production. One of these is the Visi- tors' Centre. It also includes the Ximenes Redoubt which was originally construct- ed in 1715/16 during the reign of Grand Master Perellos as part of the Knights' strategy of defending the Maltese Islands against invasion with a network of coast- al fortifications. During the course of the 18th century the redoubt was partially converted into a salt magazine. Grand Master Ximenes added a second warehouse to the com- plex to increase its storage capacity. The 'Salina Rehabilitation Project – Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage' was carried out with an in- vestment of around €7 million partially financed by the European Union under the Agricultural Fund for Rural Develop- ment 2007-2013 covering 154,000 square metres. Intensive works were carried out on the restoration of the salt pans, that of the Ximenes building and the fougasse which was discovered, the reconstruc- tion of the three huts which had dete- riorated and which were rebuilt in a way to respect the surrounding environment, the rehabilitation of the salt marsh and the cleaning of the garigue. The whole point of this project is to rekindle the salt production trade and to transform the site into an attraction for locals and tourists who can appreciate its potential – be it natural, cultural or archeological. Salina Open Day – something for all the family For today's national event, the organis- ers have planned many attractions which should keep visitors busy with a variety of activities catering for all ages. Those who attend can participate in numerous family activities such as bird- watching, guided tours around the area, educational and leisure activities for chil- dren, pony rides and many others. There will also be a food court, an open air caf- eteria and other stalls with traditional Maltese food and other products together with a salt-production demonstration, en- tertainment on stage throughout the day and an artist's corner with several artists sketching the panorama live. Through the audio-visual productions which will be screened onsite one can also learn more about the Salina Rehabilitation Project and BirdLife Malta's history. The organisers have teamed up with the Malta National Aquarium to offer an add- ed bonanza to those who plan to attend. On the day one can park at Ta' Fra Ben, visit the aquarium at a reduced price and then take the train to Salina. There will then be available train rides to take visi- tors back to their car. The free train rides from the Malta Na- tional Aquarium to Salina and back will operate from 11am. Entry for adults to the aquarium from 10am will be at a reduced price (€9.90 instead of €12.90) with chil- dren being granted a free entry instead of paying the usual €6. On exit, one can then take the train to join the fun at Salina. Aquarium tickets not availed of on the day till 12pm can be used for entry to the aquarium on another day. Today's Open Day is the first opportunity for the public to visit Salina after last year's initial agreement signed with BirdLife Malta for the management of the site SALINA OPEN DAY - 10:30-17:00 • guided tours around the area • birdwatching • BirdLife Malta stand • bouncy castles, educational and leisure activities for children • pony rides • salt production demonstrations and hands-on explanations about this traditional trade • open air food court and cafeteria • traditional Maltese stalls with food and other products • stands by several entities which include ERA, 34U, Core Green and Don't Waste Waste • artist's corner • live entertainment on stage • screening of audio-visual productions • Park & Ride from the National Aquarium, reduced entry price to the aquarium (free entry for children), transport by train from Ta' Fra Ben to Salina and back