Editorial

Again and again the Museum authorities are presented with a fait accompli as private individuals and corporations, ignoring the country's wish to preserve its natural and man-made heritage, go ahead with plans aimed at satisfying their financial or other desires, in the process harming and, at times, destroying sites and objects of great cultural value.

The latest such act has been carried out by no less than a local council, that of Gharb, in Gozo. In order to resurface a square and a street in the village, the council carried out works that led to the collapse of a cave's roof although the Museum authorities regard the cave as being of archaeological value, and in spite of an enforcement notice issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority suspending the work until a technical solution was found to the problem presented by the cave.

The council insists it has acted in accordance with Mepa's instructions, but Mepa equally insists this was not so. This battle for the public's sympathy is tiresome, as substantial damage has been caused to a significant site, and this in spite of the fact that not only the Museum authorities but also the private owner of the site had made it clear to the council they were worried about the probable effects of the road works on the cave's roof.

This type of behaviour, whoever is responsible for it, is intolerable, especially when, as in this case, something - or at least an important part of it - has been destroyed. No one should have the power to deplete the nation's heritage unless it is for the gravest of reasons, and certainly not for the purpose of keeping up with the Joneses or, in this case, the municipality of Gerano with which Gharb has a twinning agreement.

Those who cannot easily be persuaded that the preservation and maintenance of the national heritage are necessary for the people of this country to explore their roots and understand their identity, should understand much more easily that Malta's largest and most lucrative industry, tourism, stands to develop in these difficult years by our exploitation and appreciation of our heritage.

When Gozo is trying hard to market itself as a separate tourist destination from its sister island, it is ironical that Gharb's local council - and it is not the sole one - should show less than enthusiasm about an interesting site in their village.

It is essential that future acts of this kind be deterred as strongly as possible. The ignoring or brazen defiance of Mepa's directives should be subject to the strictest of penal sanctions. Apart from the civil damages the authorities should in every case claim from contraveners, heavy fines need to be imposed and, in very grave cases, sentences of imprisonment should also be possible.

Those who bring about the diminution or spoiling of what gives this country its special characteristics and beauty should not be regarded as any better than car thieves or smugglers.

Unless this country shows in these cases it really means business and refuses to be trifled with, the erosion of the national heritage is bound to continue apace.

The authorities must lead by example - even if, at times, they are the culprits themselves, whether by omission or commission - and throw the book at defaulters, irrespective of where or on which side of the fence they stand.