7 comments so far.Victoria Local Council works place it-Tokk trees in jeopardy, says FAA
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Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said today that the saga of the trees at it-Tokk, Gozo continues. Following the legal action taken by the eNGO, “MEPA had declared that it had no intention of allowing the uprooting of the trees.”
“However,” FAA said, “an inspection carried out by Alfred Baldacchino, former Assistant Director of the Environment Protection Directorate, and Ian Lansley, an international arbor (tree) consultant, has revealed the deplorable state of the trees.”
Mr Lansley reported, “There has been no regard for the importance of the major roots. In most cases the root zone has been damaged to a depth of 18″ – 24″. This is serious and extensive damage. The destruction of the major root system has placed these trees in serious jeopardy, not only from lack of water but also from high winds due to their instability caused by this root damage.”
FAA said that the “only imaginable reason for such negligence and damaging treatment can only be to cause the death of the trees in defiance of the court hearing decision that the trees are to stay.”
“The way surface roots have been chopped off will invariably lead to the rotting of the root system. One of the trees has already died through unprofessional pruning as confirmed by Ian Lansley during his site inspection,” FAA added.
“It was also confirmed the roots are not doing significant damage to services since the houses are at some distance from the trees.”
FAA continued by saying that the 2011 law stipulates: “No person shall fell or attempt to fell, cut or attempt to cut, strip off or attempt to strip off the bark or leaves of, uproot or attempt to uproot,… or in any way destroy or attempt to destroy, damage or attempt to damage, any tree or part thereof.”
Given that trees that are over 50 years old are protected at law, and that MEPA knew of the Victoria Local Council’s request to uproot these trees.” FAA asks “why MEPA did not monitor these trees more closely?”
FAA also questioned what action is to be taken against the Local Council and the contractor who carried out the works which infringe the law.
“These trees reduce the rate of toxic vehicle emissions which contribute to several diseases in an area with a high rate of air pollution.”
FAA said that it therefore maintains that “Victoria Local Council’s treatment of the it-Tokk trees is not only damaging the trees but is a grave disservice to the very residents it was elected to protect.”
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar concluded, that it had once again offered Victoria Local Council the services of Ian Lansley in order to, as far as possible, remedy the damage that has been done and ensure the best possible conditions for the survival of these iconic, historic trees that embellish Gozo’s main square.
Photographs by FAA
Does the Minister for Gozo or Wirt Ghawdex have an opinion on this apparent vandalism?
Obviously a deliberate act by the contractors in defiance of MEPA on trees protected by law. They should be taken to court, heavily fined, made to replace or restore the damaged trees and then kicked off of the job.
As these trees have now been exposed for several weeks, maybe the Mayor and the Minister for Gozo could organise some TLC for these trees in the form of a top dressing, protection, supervision of the contractors and the employment of a real expert to maintain them whilst the works continue.
When I was there last month I was told that the workmen had been told by the local council not to be too careful when working around the trees. In other words we have been stopped from cutting the trees down as we wanted to but if they were to ‘accidently’ become unstable due to root damage we couldn’t be blamed for removing them in the name of health and safety. I can’t verify if this instruction was actually given but knowing the mentality of certain members of the Victoria Council right up to the ‘tree loving’ Mayor, I wouldn’t be surprised. Let’s hope that MEPA take action against these people who think they are above the law.
Sadly, I am not surprised by this report. A combination of corrupt people and workers who are unskilled.
I saw these trees yesterday and was very saddened.
WALTER If these trees will survive, it will be a miracle, I can tell these workers are not experience on trees ,They dug too close to its roots and damaged a lot of its roots , meaning the trees live is in danger to die . How these workers dear to leave the trees roots bare like this ??? I hope who ever is in charge on this project hurry up and cover those bare roots in a hurry with good top soil right away, before the roots die .and give them a lot of water . PS who ever is doing this work is not FIT or any GOOD to LOOK after any trees .. I call it very POOR MANIGMENT FROM THE TOP … . PS I FEEL VERY SORRY FOR THE TREES .. PS I HOPE THESE WORKERS can GO TO University and learn some more , on how to look after trees . WALTER
Thay should be made repace them with mature trees no matter what the cost.