Access to Il-Munxar

Mr Jerome Licari's statement (The Sunday Times, February 5) that "...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" affirms that there is a specific project which is definitely going to be implemented as if his company is already in collusion with the authorities to go ahead.

Rumours have it that development at Il-Munxar is proposed for a quail breeding farm. We are sure that such a project with its input of stones, wood, fencing, concrete, storage, development of roads for access and waste will, as Mr Licari has put it, "...safeguard such an area to ensure the its survival in its natural state". We are all pleased!

The abundance of quail should also regale us with an invasion of hunters. We all hope that Mr Licari will be aptly filling all the details in the development plan so that in due time they will be scrutinised by the public. Perhaps his company also plans to apply for an Eco Management Audit Scheme (EMAS) certification to ensure that the environment is protected.

With the threat of avian flu looming for years to come, everybody will doubt the viability of such a project, even its promoters.

As Marvic Attard Gialanzè, former mayor of Marsascala, wrote, our area is under threat from an agglomeration of activities which will reduce of quality of life. Another farm is unwarranted.

In the many years that I have been frequenting the area I have never seen anybody tampering with the natural state of Il-Munxar or observed any external pressure on the bio-diversity of this site, except the odd trapper who has become a part of the surroundings.

On December 4, 2005, this balance was upset by the blocking off of the access to the foreshore by franka stones. On January 23 MEPA issued an enforcement notice (ECF00078/06) as the wall was built without a permit. Please note, Mr Licari! However, whoever is claiming to comply with local legislation did not lift a finger to remove the stones from the blocked path. The stones have now been shifted and lie strewn around to the danger of people passing through.

Research by the Rambers' Association shows that the War Department had purchased both pathways from the lower and upper end of Il-Munxar to access the foreshore and the gunpost further in. The pathways and foreshore belong to the government of Malta and its people.

It is amazing how on this island the authorities, including the local council, find it difficult to inform the public on such an issue. We have the right to know. We have the right to walk where we have walked for generations to come.