Association to fight for ramblers' rights

A dream which seasoned rambler Lino Bugeja has been toiling to fulfil for the past decade will become a reality when a ramblers association is set up this weekend.

The Ramblers Association of Malta will be launched on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Din l-Art Óelwa, 133, Melita Street, Valletta.

It will start tackling a list of priorities as soon as it is formed, Mr Bugeja, the coordinator of the association, said yesterday. Among them is to have some definite guidelines from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority or the Estate Management Department on public access to the foreshore, coastal cliffs and historic and archaeological sites forming part of the country's national heritage. The association will want to ensure that the private possession of land is backed by a permit issued by a government authority to authenticate private ownership.

"What we mean here is that the signs that have mushroomed all over the countryside reading No Entry, RTO and Private would be accompanied by an official permit so that the public would be able to check the validity of such permits.

"This form of registration, which is in force in most European countries, should be introduced with immediate effect," Mr Bugeja said.

The RAM will be lobbying the government to designate a unit within one of its departments or authorities with which it will be able to deal directly in order to rectify matters in the shortest time possible.

"Although the RAM is fully aware of the complicated system of land tenure, it will insist on immediate action before making its case to the European Parliament to highlight the mediaeval situation still prevalent here leading to anarchy and the crass denial of the right of the people to enjoy the countryside," Mr Bugeja added.