Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/994982
13 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 JUNE 2018 SPANISH Spar- rows may be com- mon and wide- spread but they too have their charm. True, the female is rather lacklustre in col- our but the male is quite a looker, especially now in their breed- ing season. Most sparrows round this time of year are busy raising chicks in their bulky nest, as many of us with resident sparrows in our home ventila- tors know well. Originally Spanish Sparrows (M. Għasfur tal-Bejt) nested in caves and cracks in cliffs – they still do in some parts – but the cosy nooks and crannies in human structures provided excellent des-res for these intrepid op- portunists, and they have largely switched to human habita- tions. Spanish Sparrows readily adapt to changing condi- tions, a knack that helps them thrive in a human society that isn't always kind to birds; and their omnivorous diet allowed them to capitalise on our mountain of waste as well. Despite the name, by the way, our Spanish Sparrows are na- tive Maltese. First steps taken to cut single-use plastics in Europe (continued) THE proposal, which is designed to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, and in particular the marine environment, sets a number of different policy meas- ures to tackle these problematic single-use products including a ban on single-use plastic straws, cutlery and plates, cotton buds and bal- loon sticks. It also aims to achieve 'significant' reductions in the consumption of plastic food containers and cups within six years, through meas- ures such as national consumption reduction targets, minimum re- usable packaging targets, or ensuring such items are not provided free of charge. In light of the national plans for a deposit return scheme this pro- posal sets a 2025 target of 90% separate collection of plastic bottles, to be achieved through Extended Producer Responsibility schemes or the implementation of deposit return schemes. It also demands detailed labelling on sanitary towels, wet wipes and balloons informing citizens of the negative environmental im- pact of inappropriate disposal and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for waste fishing gear, cigarette butts, beverage containers including lids and caps, food containers, lightweight plastic bags and wet wipes amongst others. 614. SPANISH SPARROW Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 516: Find out more and take our plastic free pledge: http://foemalta.org/plasticfreepledge Text and photo Victor Falzon Get ready, set, go! The Nickelodeon Treasure Hunt takes place April THE Nickelodeon treasure hunt is coming to Malta next year just in time for the Easter holidays. The Malta Tourism Authority, together with Vi- acom Velocity International, the branded content, events and ad-agency of Viacom In- ternational Media Networks (VIMN), have signed an agreement to create the is- land's first-ever Nickelodeon branded experiential tour- ism franchise: Nickelodeon Treasure Hunt Malta. The Nickelodeon Treasure Hunt Malta will run from 13-18 April 2019, aimed at attracting families over the Easter school holidays. The treasure hunt will be based around creating exclu- sive Nickelodeon experiences and rewards at select attrac- tions around the Maltese Is- lands. Activities for all the fam- ily will include searching for SpongeBob SquarePants and friends at the National Aquar- ium, learning through play with the PAW Patrol pups at the Esplora Science Centre, learning to duel with Nella the Princess Knight at the 16th-century St James Cava- lier, and joining the pizza- loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Is-Suq Tal-Belt food market. In addition to the character experiences at the selected attractions, a free live thea- tre show at Pjazza Teatru Rjal will kick things off over the opening weekend, with slime-filled challenges and a multi-character musical show for kids and families. A Nick- elodeon Multi-Media Exhibi- tion and Workshop Hub will be open throughout the week at St James Cavalier, with the week's activity being round- ed off with a carnival-style parade through Valetta Old Town. Russell Samuel, Vice Presi- dent, Creative and Integrated Marketing at Viacom Veloc- ity International, said "Malta has plenty of appeal: sun, sea and culture, which, through 11 years of Isle of MTV Malta we have successfully promot- ed to youth travellers, help- ing to increase the island's youth tourism by 120 per cent and now accounts for 25 per cent of all tourism. Now it's time to further unlock Malta's value and tourism potential by leveraging our unique and unparalleled expertise and the influence of the Nickelodeon brand for kids and families". AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL FROM THE CREATORS OF BALZUNET TA TOWERS 18TH, 20TH, 21ST, 22ND, 25TH, 26TH, 27TH, 28TH & 29TH JULY AT 9PM OUTDOORS , PJAZZA TEATRU RJAL , VALLET TA tickets f rom ilhanina.com or 23397000 Music by Written by Lyrics by PRODUCED BY SEAN BUHAGIAR Directed by €5 LESS UNTIL THE END OF JUNE