Mosta local council and Nature Trust (Malta) will be joining forces in a bid to save Wied il-Ghasel in Mosta from further degradation.

The council and the NGO will be seeking European Union funding to protect the valley, restore it and provide educational material and ecotourism facilities.

Wied il-Ghasel is a most intriguing valley, supporting temporary freshwater habitats along its bed and a rich garigue/maquis along its sides.

The area is home to rare and endemic species such as the national tree (tetraclinis articulata) and a number of freshwater organisms, especially in the karstic freshwater pools at Tal-Wej.

Apart from illegal dumping and off-roading activities, the valley is being endangered by encroaching development and quarrying activities.

Over the past few months, the Mosta council and Nature Trust have held protests, clean-up activities and guided walks in the valley to create public awareness of this important site.

Nature Trust is very sensitive on valleys. It believes that considering the limited number of natural habitats on the islands and the important and rich biodiversity of valleys, action must be taken to protect them so they would be enjoyed by all.

The council and the environmental organisation have written separately to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority asking for the valley to be scheduled.