Members from the Nature Trust (Malta) National Council together with members from the Maltese National Commission for Unesco presented the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, with a book recently issued on the Il Majjistral Nature and History Park.
The book gives a closer look at how the Majjistral Park came about and what the visitor to the site can experience from habitats, nature and biodiversity to history and agricultural activities etc. Il Majjistral Park is situated in the North west of Malta and is today managed by the three NGOs, Nature Trust (Malta), Din L-Art Helwa and Gaia Foundation.
The book is a publication of the NGO – Nature Trust (Malta) which, with the support of the Maltese National Commission for Unesco managed to publish the publication.
NTM Executive President – Mr Vincent Attard thanked the Prime Minister for receiving the delegation and Unesco Malta for their support in this project. He said that in line with NTM aims and objectives, the Environmental NGOs works for ecological site management and conservation and Environmental education. This book is a reflection of NTM’s aims as it not only provides information to the public on the beauty of the park but also educates those reading the book of the importance for caring for our natural heritage which is there for us to leave to our future generations.
Mr Attard said that thanks to the support of the Maltese National Commission for Unesco, NTM has been able to undertake various projects which include base line studies and drafting of management plans for other sites, educational material another environmental related projects. As an Ngo, Nature Trust (Malta) will keep working to improve the natural heritage of Malta and Gozo as this is not only important as a social dimension but also as an economic one which include tourism etc.
Professor Charles Farrugia, as Chairman of the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO, thanked the Prime Minister for inviting him and the Commission Members for the presentation ceremony of the Majjestral publication. Professor Farrugia said that the National Commission had readily agreed to finance the entire cost of the publication because the book fulfilled admirably the aims of UNESCO. It provides educational material to help users understand and appreciate one of the most important ecological sites on our Islands. It encourages the preservation and love for the natural heritage, and it promotes in the most practical manner the benefits of protecting and at the same time enjoying the Maltese countryside.
Professor Farrugia said that this was the fourth project on which the National Commission for UNESCO has worked closely with Nature Trust (Malta). The other three were the Pembroke Garigue study and conservation project financed through UNESCO’s Participation Programme, the educational publication Il Majjistral and the educational material Dwejra Education Pack intended for students on nature trail visits to the site.
Professor Farrugia concluding by saying that the Maltese National Commission works hard, but without much fanfare, to ensure that the educational, cultural and scientific aims of UNESCO are achieved to the benefit of the local community.
The Hon Prime Minister thanked Nature Trust (Malta) for their valuable work and the Maltese National Commission for Unesco and remarked that it was nice to see cooperation between entities all working towards the promotion of Malta’s natural heritage.
Photo shows the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, being presented with the Il Majjistral book by Nature Trust at Auberge de Castille, Valletta. (Photo – DOI, Martin Attard)