Tour operator donates 24,000 trees

A Scandinavian tour operating company, Sunlife Style Resorts, has promised to donate 24,000 trees to the Tree 4 U Campaign by October next year.

Company representative Nina Stastny told Environment Minister George Pullicino that the a trees would be presented for every tourist which the company sent to the Mediterranean. The trees would compensate for emissions caused by air travel, she said.

Mr Pullicino expressed his appreciation for the initiative, saying this will be the biggest donation to the Tree 4 U Campaign.The campaign over the past three years received donations of 56,000 trees.

The comments were made as the first 1,000 trees from the Scandinavian company's donation were planted at Wied Blandun. Mr Pullicino said this valley (near Fgura) had suffered ever since a Labour government built a road right through it instead of building a bridge in the 1970s. The valley is now undergoing rehabilitation, including the removal of a considerable amount of debris, afforestation and the creation of picnic areas. The water course will also be restored.

Mr Pullicino said trees from the new donation will also be planted at Madliena and Buskett.