1 comment.Xlendi Valley rehabilitation underway as part of €10 million project
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A Ministry for Gozo project for the rehabilitation of Xlendi Valley is currently underway as part of a €10 million investment in EU funding to improve the rural character of Gozo.
Minister for Gozo Dr Justyne Caruana said that this is part of a series of environmental initiatives that are taking place all around Gozo and is part of the Xlendi Masterplan.
Two projects were announced in April which involve valleys being cleared of debris and rubble walls and water catchment areas restored, with all work carried out through the relevant permits and in accordance with practices agreed by the authorities concerned, the Minister said.
Dr Caruana said that the valley will be cleared of illegally dumped material, the sediment that has accumulated naturally over the years and remove cane plants that are obstructing the path of the water.
“This project is paying attention to the ecosystem associated with this site and works being carried are monitored and undertaken though the practices required by the relevant authorities,” the Minister said.
She added that, once cleaned this valley will be also provide an alternative source of water for farmers in the area.
As the work is environmentally sensitive, much of it is being done by hand and Minister Caruana thanked the workers involved on this project, particularly the EcoGozo Directorate, as well as the authorities concerned who worked together to enable this very important valley in the Gozitan countryside be rehabilitated.
Besides Xlendi, there are nine other valleys included in the projects, the others are: Wied Mgarr ix-Xini, Wied Tal-Grazzja, Wied Rihan, Wied ta’ Grajgel, Wied il-Wileg, Wied Mgarr, Wied ta’ Xhajma, Wied Marsalforn, Wied il-Ort, Wied l-Infern and Wied il-Kbir.
It will also involve the restoration and rebuilding of around 30 km of rubble walls. Dr Caruana had said that this will contribute towards increasing the population and range of endemic species living in the rubble walls.
Photographs: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri
A much needed project. What is also needed is to build several Dams for water catchments. These catchments will provide water to percolate into the underground water system as well as serve farmers for water.