Buskett 'being harmed'

BirdLife Malta has drawn attention to what it said was a recent spate of cutting and pruning of trees and clearance of vegetation at Buskett that was causing "irreparable harm" to the woodland habitat.

It claimed entire trees and shrubs were being cut down or drastically pruned, and in places herbicide was being used to clear ground vegetation.

The environmental NGO called for the works to stop immediately.

But the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment rebutted the claims saying that the work being carried out was technically correct and was designed to safeguard the environment.

All precautions were being taken so that the works would not leave any impact or harm Buskett, the ministry said.

It a statement BirdLife Malta said the works were being carried out with good intentions but without a proper management plan and without knowledge of, or respect for, the native wildlife.

Despite being commonly referred to as "gardens", Buskett has evolved into a semi-natural wooded slope and valley. Woodland ecology is next to non-existent in Malta "and it is high time the authorities realise this and take the necessary steps to preserve and encourage the spread of such precious habitat," the organization said.

"Yet Buskett is being treated as just another horticultural project".

It appealed to the government to immediately set up a management committee with representatives from BirdLife, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and related bodies.

This committee would draw up a sound conservation and management plan that would ensure that no activity threatens the woodland ecosystem that survives at Buskett.

The plan would allow the public to enjoy and learn about Buskett without harming its natural beauty or causing degradation, it said.

BirdLife said it was satisfied with Mepa actions to remove illegal structures in Buskett and it hoped this exercise will continue throughout the area.

In its counter statement, the ministry said it was not true that trees were being cut down. The pruning that was taking place was aimed at regenerating the trees.

The ministry said that one of the photographs issued (by BirdLife) showed a sumakka tree which was an "illegal" type of tree which damaged the ground where it grew and therefore it was advisable to remove it.

The work was being carried out by qualified personnel, it insisted. Works were taking place on water passages and included the building and restoration of rubble walls and the removal of weeds and growth that damaged trees and walls.

The ministry added that one of the aims of the project was to reduce the risk of fire in the undergrowth. The herbicides were not doing any harm and were being used only in cases where growth was causing damage, the ministry claimed.