Nature Trust Malta in a statement, said that it “welcomes events which involve encouraging the public to enjoy the countryside and the kite event held in Gharb over the weekend is one such example.”

However, NTM argued that, “the logistics for the event were disorganised and based on a car-dependent mentality.”

It stated that “although a shuttle service from Victoria was provided – cars still kept on driving to San Dimitri, with wardens along the way helping to direct traffic and a temporary car park which was provided close to San Dimitri chapel, was insufficient.”

The eNGO pointed out that “the cars had to tackle narrow country lanes with many families and pushchairs dangerously sharing the same lanes. Many cars were also parked along these country lanes.”

“What was only a 15-minute walk from Gharb centre to the site – ended up in traffic mayhem because the authorities in charge kept allowing cars to drive up to the site,” it said.

Nature Trust went on to say that “to get out the public had to drive onwards towards Wied il-Mielah and then back to Gharb again.” It pointed out that the Gharb Local Council FB “advertises itself as an Eco village.”

Nature Trust Malta said that it hopes that for future events – all cars, apart from shuttle vans, police and ambulance cars, will be prohibited from going up to the site.

It concluded by saying that “Eco-Gozo and the supposedly eco village of Gharb must live up to their name and encourage families to walk and enjoy the countryside and appreciate nature by walking or cycling, rather than by using cars.

Photograph: NTM

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