Access to Il-Munxar (1)

Mr Michael Attard's letter (The Sunday Times, January 22) is inaccurate and can be construed as misinformation and even unfair.

The area in question is the property of Rennie Scicluna and has been leased by my company. Its owners and lessees have every legal right to ensure that their property is kept secure and also to safeguard it from tresspassers so that its natural state and bio-diversity is not only retained but also restored to its optimum level by proper care and maintenance.

Mr Attard, as well as anyone else who cares about our natural environment, should only feel pleased that efforts are being taken to safeguard such an area to ensure its survival in its natural state. Unfortunately, such efforts cannot but seek certain security measures that will curtail use of such land without the owners' and/or managers' explicit consent.

Furthermore, nothing will be carried out that will not be in conformity with local legislation and any efforts, even those affecting the environment, will be made with the full permission of the relevant authorities.