Ecological group to boycott golf course EIA

Voluntary organisations which teamed up under the EkoLogika umbrella yesterday announced they would be boycotting MEPA's invitation for feedback on the terms of reference for the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed golf course at Ix-Xaghra l-Hamra.

EkoLogika, which is made up of several organisations including Alternattiva Demokratika, Moviment Graffitti, the Third World Group, the Sannat Residents Association and the University Chaplaincy, said it "would not help legitimise lack of proper procedures" by commenting on the terms of reference when studies for the EIA on the proposed golf course are already being carried out.

"This ridicules MEPA's call for public input in the formulation of the terms of reference, which should form the basis of the EIA studies, and not vice-versa. For this reason, EkoLogika is boycotting this call for submissions," the organisation said.

The proposal to build a golf course at Manikata has met with considerable opposition from environment and other groups, including hunters' organisations.

On September 10 a photographer who ventured into the area to take photos of the local corbelled huts (giren) was accosted by hunters who exposed themselves and taunted him.

Meanwhile, the tourist industry has lauded the proposal to build a golf course at Manikata and even suggested the development of a third golf course at Pembroke.