Last month Nature Trust (Malta) expressed its concerns to MEPA for development taking place in a protected Natura 2000 site within the valley of Bahrija. The NGO is worried about the integrity of the site as the site of development lies just a few metres away from one of the most important freshwater courses of the island and it calls upon MEPA to ensure that this sensitive habitat has not, and will not be, degraded by the rehabilitation of the dwelling which permit was granted by the authority itself.

Nature Trust, together with other NGOs has repeatedly called upon the authorities to protect the area and halt further degradation. The watercourse, already in itself an extremely rare habitat, is already afflicted by over extraction of water and pollution from fields and road run-off. The population of the unique Maltese Freshwater Crab, a strictly protected and endangered species, is under constant threat from human activities and the bulldozing works which have been taking place on site don’t augur well for the future of this valley.

The NGO asks whether any mitigation measures have been taken to prevent spillage of debris from the site into the stream below and how the site is being monitored. To date, no reply has been forthcoming from MEPA. (email report sent to MEPA is copied below, dated 26/02/2009:

Dear Sir or Madam,

We would like to enquire whether the development below is being monitored as it is located in an extremely sensitive site just adjacent to the protected Maltese Freshwater Crab and a unique watercourse.
We would like to receive a copy of the conditions imposed on such a development and what mitigation measures are being taken to ensure that no debris (from the current digging works) falls into the stream below. Moreover we would like to be assured that no artifical lighting will be introduced in the area as a result of this development permit.

Yours truly,

Nature Trust

Permalink: Nature trust concerns on Bahrija development