Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex is urging the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to withdraw its draft legal notice that would allow artificial lighting at Dwejra until midnight, and to adopt a ”clear, enforceable rule: no external lighting from sunset to sunrise.”

The organisation said that the proposal has attracted strong opposition from environmental NGOs, scientists and academics, including the University of Malta’s Department of Physics and the Institute of Space Sciences and Astronomy, as well as the Chamber of Scientists.

Hundreds of members of the public have also filed formal objections. ”Permitting lighting at this site would ruin the public’s enjoyment of the night sky and undermine Dwejra’s value for scientific observation, particularly astronomy,” it said.

The organisation advised that during a meeting with NGOs on the 24th of February, ERA’s Director of Environment and Resources, Mr Darrin Stevens, said the the proposal to only switch off light at midnight was based on advice from University academics, but refused to provide names, disciplines, or supporting studies. When questioned, he confirmed that astronomers, astrologers [sic], and astrophysicists ”had not been consulted.”

“This is a decision with clear scientific consequences,” said Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex. “It must be based on relevant expertise and transparent, evidence-based studies.”

Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex added that the measure would directly affect its night-sky observation sessions. Held on the roof of Dwejra Tower, which is under its guardianship, these are organised before midnight and often continue through the night, at times until dawn.

The tower recently received the Gozo Tourism Association’s Gozo Cultural Niche Tourism Achievement Award 2025, recognising its contribution to Gozo’s cultural offer and niche tourism, closely tied to Dwejra’s Dark Sky setting, the last remaining truly natural darkness location in the Maltese Islands.

”Light pollution disrupts wildlife, affects human well-being, wastes energy, increases emissions, and blocks our view of the universe.” Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex said it is therefore calling for ”full transparency on who was consulted and what evidence supports the proposed policy, and for Dwejra’s darkness to be protected without exceptions.”

‘It insisted that ”Dwejra needs one clear rule: no external lighting from sunset to sunrise.”

Photo: Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex

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