The environmental NGOs Nature Trust (Malta), Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Din L-Art Helwa, Ramblers Association BirdLife Malta and Friends of the Earth Malta said that they are appalled by the way filming was being allowed in the Natura 2000 site at Dwejra in Gozo, with the depositing of tonnes of sand over the protected Dwejra rock-face, as reported by one of our readers last week. [1] 
The eNGO’s said that this activity was allowed to happen on a site that is of geological, geomorphological, botanical, ornithological importance and on an area rich in Scutella fossil beds and fossilised burrows which forms part of the CORE ZONE, ie. the most important part of the whole protected area in the Qawra/Dwejra Heritage Park Action Plan, protected by both national and international legislation, and where no cars were allowed to enter or park as per Dwejra Heritage Park Action Plan.
Recent weather conditions also caused material to end up in the sea – into an area declared as a marine protected area and also a Natura 2000 site MPA
The environment authority – MEPA – is duty bound to protect this site and not allow such irresponsible activities to occur, the eNGO’s said.
The NGOs said that they demand to know why permits were issued for this activity and why MEPA did not immediately halt the damage and take legal action against the film producers. Since MEPA issued the permit why was a monitor not posted on site continuously. MEPA should be ashamed for granting such a permit in the first place and for putting up such a ridiculous Bank Guarantee of Eur 15,000 for a site of this ecological importance. Moreover Trucks and bulldozers were allowed to enter in the core area.
The NGOs went of to say that they cannot understand where is MEPA’s Environment Directorate that is duty-bound to protect this site, nor why the Ministry for Gozo promoting Eco Gozo, the Ministry for Tourism and the Office of the Prime Minister, responsible for the Environment, failed to even voice their concern.
The NGOs concluded by saying the they now demand that MEPA should ensure that the area is restored to its original state as soon as possible. What happened at this site is shocking and whoever was responsible for this activity or for a permit being issued, should now be held accountable for any damage. Malta is today an EU member state and as such has to respect the EU habitats directive. The NGOs cannot understand why the action plan set up by EU funding was not followed by the same authority that approved it. MEPA is today also solely responsible in the management of Dwejra heritage and legally bound to manage this area as part of the Natura 2000 Network in the EU.
5 Comments To "NGOs shocked at MEPA’s green light for filming at Dwejra"
#1 Comment By JOHN B CAMILLERI On November 1, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Possibly none of the San Lawrenz local council members have noticed such a disgrace; not even the Mayor.
Nobody from the village of San Lawrenz had the guts to report this to the local council.
Ah! Perhaps they all remained silenct as this “project” forms part of what is known by one and all
as ECO GOZO.
#2 Comment By Mario On November 1, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
Govanna Debono what will you say to MEPA officers who ruined your ECO GOZO hype ..
This is unbelievable for a ridiculous Bank Guarantee of Eur15,000. Today a well known building contractor was cleaning up. Who is going to pay for all this?
Better stop because this is hard to imagine how we are being treated.
#3 Comment By Lesley Kreupl On November 1, 2010 @ 6:41 pm
A big thank you to the NGOs who were involved in writing this report.
Thank you too, Gozo News for printing the photos mentioned in my last comment – they were taken with tears in my eyes and a feeling of utter disbelief and helplessness that something like this could happen in this day and age!
No amount of money will ever restore the damage which has been, and may still be, done to the fossil beds. Whoever was responsible for organizing this lucrative business should be heavily fined and steps should be taken to ensure that something like this NEVER happens again.
@Mr. Camilleri
A lot of people who care about Dwejra simply don’t go there anymore as it is in such a disgusting state – from the revolting, smelly toilets to the polluted, diesel-scented, fume-filled parking lot. Not to mention the appalling road. Once a favourite sundowner haunt of mine, I had not been there for over a month. It was pure fluke that this atrocity came to light when it did. So much for ECO-Gozo.
#4 Comment By George Palmer On November 1, 2010 @ 6:52 pm
Of course this is shocking. But what about the state of the site during the summer months. The place is carpeted in cigarette butts and there is no one employed to clean them up. Why don’t the council put signs up forbidding smoking and food packaging on this beautiful site with wardens enforcing this with fines.
#5 Comment By Joe Magro from Qala but live in Australia On November 2, 2010 @ 12:10 am
she can say nothing because she is the boss in Gozo, she never done nothing for Gozo, all you have to do look at the roads and the law. One law for you and one law for me. Wake up Gozo.