Twelve environmental NGOs Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Din l-Art Helwa, Ramblers Association, Friends of the Earth Malta, NatureTrust Malta, MOAM, Moviment Graffitti, Greenhouse Malta, Birdlife Malta Ramblers’ Association of Malta, Y4TE and Why Not? as well as local residents’s associations, have called on the public to join them for next Saturday’s protest march against “Government’s intention to continue selling off Malta to speculators.”

The Environment Groups have said that they are extremely concerned by the Authorities’ “lack of protection of the environment. The first eight months of this administration have been marked by the introduction of several new policies in favour of more construction, relaxation of existing building regulations, condoning of illegalities and scant enforcement.”

“Proposals are being made to facilitate construction in our town and village cores by demolishing traditional architecture and destroying urban gardens – essential urban lungs,” the NGOs added. “The permit granted to build 744 apartments at Mistra is a precedent that will allow tall buildings on hills and ridges to change our landscapes for ever, while land reclamation will lead to our coasts becoming even more built up.”

The NGOs went on to say, “new regulations encouraging agri-tourism are full of loopholes to bring more building into our countryside, while businesses are to be allowed to encroach into residential areas. Hotels are to rise without limit, reducing the light, air and solar rights of neighbouring homes.”

“Both MEPA and the Lands Department are failing to curb rampant abuse, while trees continue to be damaged and destroyed,” the NGOs stated. “This all erodes residents’ rights and contributes to undermining our health and our quality of life. No studies have been carried out to establish why our towns or countryside need more building when these islands have tens of thousands of vacant residential properties Without an overall strategic plan in place it is just short-term profit over long term benefit that is driving this Government to encourage development.”

The protest march in favour of the environment is taking place next Saturday, the 30th of November, at City Gate, Valletta, starting at 10.30am.

Photograph – ‘Gobbler Logo’ shows cement buildings gobbling what is left that is green on the Earth and is a symbol of the rally.

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