Sant praises Nature Trust project

Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday called for a law on non-governmental organisations that would give them status and enable them to seek funds from the European Union.

Dr Sant was speaking during a visit to the Wied Ghollieqa Nature Reserve. He was accompanied by deputy leader Charles Mangion and other Labour Party officials.

The Labour officials sowed a number of plants at the valley - part of a campaign aimed at creating a conscience in favour of safeguarding the environment.

The valley is the responsibility of Nature Trust, a non-governmental organisation set up in 1989.

Nature Trust president Vince Attard said that a current project for the valley is Green 2000, aimed at increasing the number of trees.

The public were being invited to sponsor a tree for Lm5. He said that, unfortunately, vandalism was still high and law enforcement weak. For this reason, Nature Trust wanted to see the appointment of green wardens.

Nature Trust also wanted more environmental education but it was not finding the desired support. In its limitations, Nature Trust organised courses in co-ordination with local councils.

Dr Sant said that what Nature Trust was doing at the valley deserved support and showed the movement's dedication towards the environment. He praised the commitment the group had shown to save the valley in the early 1990s.