The Coalition of Environment NGOs has submitted to Mepa its comments on the major development being planned at Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo. Three months ago NGOs were invited to listen to the fine words and promises at the Sustainability Conference organized by the Ministry for the Environment. Just two weeks later all that was said there was swept away by the Rationalisation Schemes. Just two weeks after the passing of these plans pledging to ‘seal, once and for all, the development boundaries’ we are asked to comment on proposals to build a whole village in an Out of Development Zone.
This project coincidentally happened to re-surface at the same time as the issuing of the new Local Plans. Also by a strange coincidence, the policy of the Qala (Hondoq) Local Plan takes a very different stand to the previous Local Plan and bears a strong resemblance to the developers’ proposals.
This begs the question: what is the point of requesting public consultation and reports on the environment prepared by Local Councils, genuine environmental NGOs and Commissions for Sustainable Development when these are routinely ignored? Why sign and ratify all sorts of international environmental and species conventions and agreements focusing on planning, conservation of natural resources and habitats when these are conveniently side-stepped when called into the case?
Why be a citizen of a democracy if we are stepped upon by the greed of few businessmen who, in turn, influence politicians to speak of development as the latest brilliant economic boost and favour to our country. Haven’t we already heard this, seen that, done this and been left with the bitter taste of undisputed loss. The loss of crystal clear and uncontaminated seas; coasts that one could go to for some relief from the hassle of our already crowded and stressful life; marine life that children and adults could admire while swimming or snorkeling; underwater biodiversity we could observe when SCUBA diving or fishing; occasional close encounters with turtles and dolphins in less disturbed waters; country walks appreciating typical Mediterranean habitats; some peace and quiet enjoying the clarity of stars at night; beaches we could consider our children’s, for them to learn what a beach, nature and marine life is, free of charge.
Can the Maltese Islands afford to give away more chunks of its coasts, land and sea to development excluding Maltese and Gozitans’ access and impoverishing further their quality of life? Can we overlook the fact that 10 major tourist projects in Malta and Gozo have failed and lie abandoned, while many others are struggling or up for sale. Still, we
continue to build new ones on virgin countryside, causing more unemployment by putting off the very tourists we wish to attract. Why persist in a policy which has led us to a ten-year decline in tourism?
NGOs are asked to report what terms of reference should be included for a possible EIS (a environmental impact report that is less demanding and rigorous than an EIA). These reports are habitually used as a sop to silence the public, with very little attention being given by Mepa to the far-reaching and long-lasting impacts each development has on local human, plant and animal life. The standard local routine that seems to have been adopted is all too often a verdict of “No-impact” after costly but often biased EIAs, routinely written by the self-same experts who were commissioned by the developers to prepare their own project reports. This is habitually followed by costly but ineffective monitoring and enforcement, not to mention plans of rehabilitation and conservation without funds available for management. So why more EIAs? Why have a Malta
Environment and Planning Agency (Mepa)? Why money for destruction and none for protection?
The Coalition of NGOs feels it is its duty to comment on in this plague of environmental deterioration. However the official reaction is that they are asked to ‘be reasonable’ (ie. tone down their outcry). Their courageous stand is also rewarded by comments aimed at diminishing their integrity and all sorts of obstacles placed in their way by government departments and officials, MEPA and Ministers. Why are local and global obligations to sustainable development and nature conservation being flagrantly contravened. Not to mention pledges not to harass members of the public enshrined in the Estacode and the Aarhus Convention? We appear to be trying to preserve our image on the international level while at home we are busy selling our soul, our land and our heritage.
