The people's pathways

There is a fever in the land as a prostrate nation feels impotent in the face of increasing hostility from land grabbers, pseudo farmers, hunters and trappers and every day witnesses more and more public land, pathways and even roads being clawed away, appropriated and enclosed with impunity. What is more exasperating and incongruous is the fact that while the Minister George Pullicino waxes lyrical about the beauty of our countryside, insisting that pathways must be opened up, on the other hand ramblers feel that the long arm of the law is heavily tilted in favour of these transgressors as recent events at Ta' Cenc in Gozo and Ras il-Minxar in Malta have proved.

Recently I trekked my way for my weekly ramble to Munxar Point in St Thomas Bay, an addiction to this idyllic spot which I have nurtured for the last 60 years. To my utter surprise and indignation the pathway by the Rihana Redoubt leading to the popular inlet known locally as Il-Kukkudrill up to Munxar Point, Irdum Abjad and beyond, was blocked and hikers crudely warned that it was "Private".

This time-honoured pathway consists of an ex-military road leading to unpolluted shoreline and war time relics. It was rescued 10 years ago from the jaws of Italian developers so that Marsascala and Zejtun residents may enjoy the scenic beauty of the locality. Now it has been usurped by a fellow Maltese citizen, with impunity, simply because the fields in the area have recently changed hands.

It has also come to my knowledge that early this month a group from Nature Trust intending to carry out a geological study tour of this area, namely Munxar Point, was denied access. There was also a police presence surely not requested by Nature Trust.

It is worth recalling that, with the exception of Malta, European countries with high population densities make specific provisions through legislation for public rights of access to the countryside and coastal zones. Furthermore, in all civilised countries, the closure of paths, both in rural and urban areas as well as Outside Development Zones (ODZ), has to be authorised by the competent authorities in conjunction with the local council concerned as well as gazzetted well in advance, subject to imprisonment and a hefty fine. In this regard it is well to underline the role of the local councils in making their constituency not only aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through rambling but also about their rights.

If there are uncertainties the Estate Management Division of the Ministry of the Interior can be of immense help. A delegation from my association has recently met a high official from this department and it was highly impressed by its efficiency, professionalism and cooperation in spite of their mammoth task. Perhaps it would be a good idea to hold a seminar involving the Ramblers' Association and other environmental organisations, the local councils, the legal office of the Ministry of the Interior and the police as it appears there is good will on all sides.

In my humble opinion, local councils can be of immense help in our campaign to reclaim the countryside and our historical heritage, access to which is very often barred. In this regard the Qala council in Gozo deserves all the plaudits for its tenacity, hard work and expertise in reclaiming the Sant'Antnin Battery (facing Comino) and handing it back to the nation.

The Ramblers' Association of Malta intends to "keep to the path" both physically and metaphorically, but in the final analysis it is "people power" which will determine our path of action as the trend towards outdoor life in Malta gathers momentum and more members, both local and foreign, enrol in our association.