Through the SIMBIOTIC project, which was launched in May 2011, work has been coordinated in Gozo whereby over 1000 trees and shrubs have been planted at four sites of natural beauty across the island.

This will lead to achieving the objectives associated with the participation of the Ministry for Gozo as a partner in the project Sicily-Malta BIOgeographical transboundary Insular Connectivity (SIMBIOTIC). This is an environmental restoration project aiming at enhancing the ecological connectivity of the South East Sicily-Gozo transboundary migratory route through ecological restoration, improved area management, integrated environmental planning and policy and enhanced local environmental consciousness.

This project is co-financed by the European Union under the Italia-Malta 2007-2013 territorial cooperation programme. Other partners in the project include the Botany Department of the University of Catania and the Comune di Pachino and The Institute of Earth Systems. The University of Malta is leading this project.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, visited two sites where trees are currently being planted, which include among others oak, carob, olives, Rand, Deru, Yellow Genista, Myrtle and Pine. The three sites of which are on government land and one other on private land include the Government Farm at Xewkija, an olive grove at Ta ‘Lambert in Xewkija, a site at Dahlet Qorrot, limits of Nadur and a site on Ghammar Hill near Ta ‘Pinu.

The work associated with this project included cleaning and preparing the sites to enable the start of the tree planting, with an investment of just over € 320,000. The proposed site at ‘Dahlet Qorrot is a wonderful natural environment with the need of minimum intervention, Ta ‘Lambert requires more work, such as cleaning and the removal of trees which have died through acts of vandalism. The greater number of trees, about 500, will be planted at the Government Farm, soon to be designated as the Centre for Innovation in Rural Sciences and Environmental Management in Xewkija. Around 150 other native trees will be planted on Ghammar Hill, replacing a number of Acacia trees, to restore the natural environment.

The Minister for Gozo explained how the objectives of this project SIMBIOTIC dove tails perfectly with the implementation of Government’s eco-Gozo vision that aims to turn Gozo into an eco-island by 2020 through protection of the Gozitan lifestyle, and of the island’s environment, resources, culture and identity, so that these will play a significant part in attracting quality tourism and sustainable investment to the island.

She explained how these four sites are expected to be used as living laboratories to continue the study of the area’s rich biodiversity and will also serve as a pilot for other similar initiatives in the future.

“Above all within a few months the island will be given back four other sites for the enjoyment of the public following on from the recent inaugurations of the Villa Rundle Gardens and the Three Hills Garden.” the Minister concluded.

Permalink: 1000 trees and shrubs planted in Gozo through SIMBIOTIC