Nature Trust (Malta) has sais that it was recently informed about a proposal to construct a concrete road through the watercourse at Xatt l-Ahmar near Ghajnsielem. This area features one of the very few watercourses in the Maltese Islands where fresh water flows during most of the year, even after several rainless months. It is also one of the very few watercourses which flows from north to south on the island of Gozo.
“The supply of water comes from the nearby large freshwater pond known as ‘L-Ghadira tal-Papri,’ when it overflows, the nearby watercourse is filled with constant flowing water. Both the freshwater pond and the watercourse are important from an ecological point of view. The freshwater pond keeps the nearby vegetation green even in summer and sustains residential and migratory birds such as Moorhen, Mallards and Kingfishers. Other fauna that visit the pond are several species of dragonflies which need freshwater for their reproductive cycle. Rare plants such as the Corn Marigold have been noticed along the watercourse, which is also home to a few salt-loving shrubs such as the Maltese Salt-tree and the Shrubby Seablite,” NTM said.
Nature Trust (Malta) flora conservation officer Jeffrey Sciberras said: “There is no need to construct a new road to access the small beach, as it is already accessible via a concrete road running parallel further west. The road passes near the local fougass and eastwards towards the beach.”
“Moreover, the watercourse in question still has adjacent fields which are still in use. Allowing the construction of such a road will destroy the rural and natural beauty of the area, and limit the space for the necessary agricultural land, which is a source of local income for the locals. The place should be accessed only through hiking, to preserve the natural beauty and the calming silence of the area, which is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike,” he concluded.
12 Comments To "NTM objects to road proposal at Xatt L-Ahmar, Ghajnsielem"
#1 Comment By Martin Camilleri On June 9, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
Fresh water is very important to our trusty dry Island and watercourse are lovely to look at dont ruin what nature gave us Summer is with us when every thing is dry watercourse are nice to keep us cool
#2 Comment By peter paul On June 9, 2012 @ 7:45 pm
Giovanna Debono is telling us about ECO Gozo and these applications similar to Nadur Cimitery makes me sick
#3 Comment By Kevin Bajada On June 10, 2012 @ 10:43 am
People are very careless they dont even thing of their dailey need which is water, Remember that water is life and where there is Spring water we must protected. We already had a disaster at Ghajn Qasab Valley coming from the Gozo Curia which is still pushing to continue constructing the Nadur Cemetery.
#4 Comment By Sammy Borg On June 11, 2012 @ 8:27 am
Building roads mean one thing, more land for development . Bet money hungry developers are all the way behind the project. Ready with appartment plans.
Gozoroo
#5 Comment By joe cutajar ny On June 11, 2012 @ 10:22 pm
I guess its Xatt l Ahmar now is in the eyes of developers……yes yes i got it…. today its a road and tomorrow a propasal for a marina , 5 star hotel ,farmhouses ,villas etc etc etc so maybe Hondoq is off the hook now cause now they have Ix Xatt L ahmar in mind .Incredible and unbelievable .When are these people going to learn .When is someone with a healthy brain going to step up and stop the raping of Gozo .
#6 Comment By Sammy Borg On June 12, 2012 @ 1:12 am
@ Mr Cutajar
Hondoq is not entirely off hook yet, as far as I know.
Nature Trust Malta, her royal highness GD minister for Gozo, MEPA are all too dumb or incredibly toooo smart. They are all playing the fiddle while Gozo burns.
My fellow Gozitans you got to look at the bigger picture, not just fresh water supply.
Gozoroo
#7 Comment By joe cutajar ny On June 12, 2012 @ 1:08 pm
MR. Borg I know Hondoq is not off the Hook and will never be off the hook unless some one steps up and stop all this non sense thats going on in Gozo ..,,when i visit Gozo these are the two beaches that my family enjoys best like any other tourist and visitors .Dont they realize that these two beaches are the best in europe .I cant still figure out whats there thinking and who keeps coming up with these ridiculious ideas .For everyone sake please stop destroying Gozo
#8 Comment By gerald Cassar On June 12, 2012 @ 11:21 pm
@ Joe Cutajar .
Spot on Joe .Hondoq developers are still doing all they can to get the permit but thanks to all those involved to save hondoq this doesn`t seem to happen .
These crazy ideas have got to stop .Where shall we go swimming if our beaches are given away on a silver plate ??? In a chlorinated smelly pools??????? No way
#9 Comment By Alfred Zammit On June 14, 2012 @ 9:21 am
You Gozitans when are you going to learn to protect your sun shine Island? with lovely environment specially where water flow from pounds and reservoirs, water is like Gold on a dry arid over populated Island, beach like Hondoq Ramla Dahlet Qorot and ST Blas must be protected too.
#10 Comment By Tim On June 14, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
Who are these idiot’s that would want to build a road through the water course at Xatt l-ahmar,one can only assume that they are totally devoid of any brain cells.
#11 Comment By mario Pace On June 14, 2012 @ 8:16 pm
@ Alfred Zammit .Everyone does his best to protect Hondoq and Ramla but when there is so much money involved the speculators will never give up .
I tell you one thing that both Hondoq and Ramla are a very hot potato and both sides of the political parties are afraid to touch
#12 Comment By Sammy Borg On June 16, 2012 @ 5:35 am
@ Tim
They are not idiots at all. That`s why they want to build it in concrete,allowing drainage courses because a standard asphalt road will wash away.. And repeating what I wrote above, the motive for the road must be that they targeted land for development.
Gozoroo