Nature Trust seeks plan for Gozo's Lunzjata valley

Nature Trust (Malta) has called on the planning authority to draw up a management plan for Gozo's Lunzjata Valley.

The Water Services Corporation said a large quantity of used oil or diesel was discharged into the public sewer system in the vicinity of the valley.

Following the nationwide blackout on Good Friday, a pumping station located in the valley stopped working and sewage with waste oil floating on top overflowed into it. It is estimated that at least 400 litres of the illegally-dumped oil or diesel mixture overflowed and most of it had to be removed manually by the authorities.

Nature Trust said this was a double concern issue because it affected ground water and had a serious effect on the endemic freshwater crab found in the valley. The valley was a protected site and the crab was also protected under Maltese law and, therefore, its protection merited top priority. Over the years, the NGO reported traces of sewage overflows into the valley, which were noticed several times, especially when taking tourists and members on nature walks.

Although welcoming the authorities' quick response to the oil spill, Nature Trust urged the WSC, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the police to continue with their investigations into the incident and to take concrete action in order to stop further damage to the site.