No man is an island entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea Europe is the lessee as well as if a promontorie were – John Donne (1572- 1631).
The paucity of information about Malta’s participation in Rio 20, a United Nations summit conference on sustainable development held in Rio de Janiero in June 2012 is very disturbing.
The conference focused mainly on how to ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet in order to get ‘The Future We Want’.
In this conference, it was made abundantly clear that sustainable development should “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
The three pillars of sustainable development, namely economic development, social development and environmental protection, were discussed at length with a great emphasis that nothing should impinge on the natural environment on which the Council of Europe is working on proposals to extend protection policies to the countryside as a whole as “heritage landscape”.
We encounter difficulties in our walks mainly due to blocked paths, harassment and occasional intimidation
All local Green NGOs would welcome a report of Malta’s contribution, if any, at this important summit conference.
Our beautiful countryside, on a small archipelago, one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, needs continuous monitoring and protection to meet the challenges of further inroads on outside development zones (ODZ.) It is not easy to preserve the unique architectural heritage scattered all over the Maltese islands and it is highly recommended that local councils should be equipped with detailed maps of their locality to take immediate action against wrongdoers.
Undoubtedly, Malta’s greatest treasure is the natural environment and it is the duty of every citizen to be on the lookout for any wrongdoer.
Recently, the environmental situation in Malta was reminiscent of the forceful opening lines of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times... It was the spring of hope; it was the winter of despair.”
On the onset of spring it was like a breath of fresh air, the announcement emanating from the Prime Minister himself that the historic temples of Ta’ Ħaġrat in Mġarr were to be given full protection deserving of a World Heritage site.
This augurs well for the future in the hope that the extensive old Roman ruins and rich medieval site of Ras ir-Raħeb (headland of the hermit), limits of Baħrija, will be similarly protected. Furthermore, this exceptional location, also known as Ras il-Knejjes (headland of churches), is frighteningly imposing, offering not only outstanding wild panorama of vertiginous cliffs and shimmering blue sea but also a Bronze Age settlement complete with megaliths, silos and defensive walls.
According to the Land Department, this heritage park was expropriated in 1975 but is still in private hands. This remote headland and a similar site at remote windswept Ras il-Wardija, in Gozo call for immediate attention and protection.
Unfortunately, ramblers had again to encounter another “winter of despair” as huge slices of our vanishing countryside are still slowly being clawed away depriving us of our birthright to the countryside and coastal zone.
It is earnestly hoped that the government will retrieve land leased to pseudo- farmers, rich in historical heritage and scenic beauty. This recommendation features prominently in a government-sponsored report dated 2006 – Sustainable Development of the Maltese Islands 2006-2016 – which was never implemented.
In spite of our pleas to previous governments, our little island is still without a definitive map, the vade mecum of all ramblers in the civilised world. Undoubtedly, this will help genuine ramblers to follow public pathways without hassle or hindrance and will help local councils, the police and the green wardens in the execution of their duties.
The quality of life does not consist only of economic development
Regrettably, the insensitivity to the natural environment and historical patrimony has now reverberated across the civilised world via electronic mail to the extent that, sarcastically, some foreigners have been taunting us that the term “rambling” is a misnomer for Malta because there is nowhere you can roam freely.
Of course, this is an exaggeration because there are still large tracts on the Maltese islands for wilderness rambling.
Public interest in physical recreation pursuits has increased in recent years. This has led to the need for greater access to the countryside, coastal zones and remote areas. Walking opportunities already exist, however, the Ramblers’ Association encounters enormous difficulties in executing planned walks mainly due to blocked paths, harassment and occasional intimidation.
It is also relevant to point out that many European countries have developed private pathways as right of way in agreement with landowners to the benefit and satisfaction of all.
Recent events have shown the Maltese still feel that the countryside is an essential part of their consciousness. They crave for the spirituality emanating from the wilderness landscape of Il-Qlejgħa tal-Baħrija and remote Ras il-Wardija in Gozo, the benign barren and archaeological rich Ta’ Ċenċ and the idyllic beauty of Baħrija, Mtaħleb, Ġnejna and secluded Fomm ir-Riħ, the beleaguered patrimony of an island nation where the countryside and coastal zones must be secure at all times.
In the Middle Ages, our forefathers were very conscious of their rights to use pathways and common land (spacium commune) and were continuously on their guard not to lose this privilege to anyone.
When, in 1492, many public ways were illegally privatised, expropriated and enclosed strong representations were made to the Viceroy in Palermo. With apologies to Humpty Dumpty, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men did manage to put the countryside together again.
In the past, we have seen the burning passion that the threat to these iconic places can trigger off. Today, it is most heartening to listen to the chorus of children’s pleas for a better natural environment when repeatedly asked to present their vision for a better Malta.
Once again, my final plea emanates from the national anthem, grant O Lord, wisdom... to all stakeholders to realise that the quality of life does not consist only of economic development but also of safeguarding our most precious patrimony - the countryside and coastal zones, enriched and embellished by historical, architectural and artistic treasures enjoyed by past generations of Maltese.
I started this piece with a Dickens’ theme and I shall conclude in the same vein as I visualise Great Expectations in the wake of the recent expropriation to protect our national patrimony and the Mepa measures to control massive pollution in the harbour area. Hopefully, the hard times will be over as we urge the Prime Minister for further measures to protect the environment pleading like little Oliver: “Please sir, can we have some more?”