Selmunett 'needs protection'

Urgent action is needed to protect the habitat of Selmunett, which should be declared off-limits to deter further adverse impacts, Nature Trust (Malta) said yesterday.

A scientific survey of the biodiversity of the island should be undertaken and a management plan for the site drawn up, according to the environment group.

In a statement on the occasion of World Biodiversity Day, the NGO said biodiversity officers had not seen any specimens of the endemic plant parietaria cretica or the endemic subspecies of the Maltese wall lizard (kieselbachi) in site visits over the last two years.

If the scientific study confirmed the loss of biodiversity, rodent species which are probably responsible for the loss of the wall lizard should be dealt with.

The lost species can then be bred from the main island stock, increased in numbers and reintroduced onto Selmunett, Nature Trust proposed.

It held that a warden should also be on site to safeguard the island and assist in guiding a manageable number of visitors, while educational signs should indicate the importance of the place.

Nature Trust (Malta) can be contacted on 2131 3150, 9942 2086 or info@naturetrustmalta.org