1 comment.Destruction of trees continues unabated – FAA Tree Group
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
“The killing spree that is destroying whole stands of Malta’s trees has now struck the trees at Aldo Moro road, which were savagely cut down in a road upgrade project,” the Flimkien g?al Ambjent A?jar Tree Group said in a statement today. “However details of this project are not available on the MEPA website. There is no evidence of a permit having been applied for and granted, nor of public consultations having been held.”
FAA Tree Group said, “regrettably, the Prime Minister’s response to the tree petition launched by the Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar Tree Group and several other NGOs to stop the destruction of Malta’s trees, has been to question the authenticity of the petition’s 2,000 signatories.”
The FAA Tree Group maintains that “Malta’s politicians, as elected representatives of the Maltese, would do far better to take on board the message that the people are sending, that as Malta is already barren enough and lacking in trees, more urban trees are needed on our roads and in our towns and villages rather than more concrete.
“Instead of questioning signatures, our elected representatives, should focus their attention on the mismanagement of trees and on the misuse of public funds, as well as on abuse by contractors – including landscapers – whose infringements are all too often rewarded by sanctioning.”
The FAA Tree Group went on to say that it “deplores the destruction of the Marsa trees and asks what action is to be taken by the Authorities concerned. FAA members and the public are still waiting to hear what action has been taken on the unauthorised uprooting of ancient, protected olive trees at Mdina.”
The FAA Tree Group stated that it “is shocked, as are Paola residents, that MEPA approved the permit to uproot all the trees at Paola Square, one of the most polluted areas in Malta, when trees absorb toxic emissions.”
The NGO asked, “Why was this application processed without consulting MEPA’s Environment Directorate?”
“Regrettably the Prime Minister’s negative reply indicates that trees and environment are still not a priority on our politicians’ agenda. This is contrary to public opinion where the outcry against the destruction of trees is growing as the public appreciates trees’ contribution to residents’ physical and mental health,” the NGO said.
The FAA Tree Group conclued by saying, “trees are a vital part of urban infrastructure and offer shade in summer, shelter from rain and wind; they help to keep the air clean and breathable, support wildlife and add value to the culture and economy of our towns and cities. Now is the time to work together to protect the urban trees we have and plant more, ensuring that they survive and deliver many more benefits in the future.”
The NGO urges the public to sign the Stop Killing Trees petition at : http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-killing-trees-in-malta.
Well winter is coming and we have to think of all those Government personnel who have wood burners to feed.
I’m beginning to wonder what it was I found so attractive about Malta in the first place. They hate trees and seem determined to turn the place into a desert. Perhaps that’s to make all the illegal immigrants feel at home.
They hate birds and blast anything that flies out of the sky.
They hate open spaces and seem determined to fill them with apartment blocks which are probably destined to stay empty like the other 70,000 or so empty properties that already exist.
And when people react to all these things their Government who don’t appear to have two brain cells between them totally ignore the people and carry on regardless.
Unless things change and change quickly I see a very sad future for the Maltese people.