Environment NGOs join up for planned 'national rally'

A group of environmental NGOs will hold a non-political rally in Valletta on June 10 at 10 a.m. to demand a better future for Malta's children.

The aim of the National Environment Rally is to highlight the situation as regards environmental abuse and uncontrolled building activity, which the NGOs see as threatening citizens' health.

The group said that the people are concerned that although Malta's built-up surface area already stands at an alarming 22 per cent compared to the European average of seven per cent, the government is now announcing plans to destroy a further 2.4 per cent of what is left of the precious countryside through new regulations to allow building in certain areas.

The group said that at the rally participants will be protesting against plans to use ecologically sensitive areas like Ta' Cenc and ix-Xaghra il-Hamra for golf courses and the loss of rural heritage for the benefit of the few.

The organisations taking part are the Animal Sanctuary Association, BICREF, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, Friends of the Earth, Gaia Foundation, Graffitti, Insalvaw il-Wied tal-Kalkara, Kumitat ghall-Harsien Rurali ta' Ghajn Tuffieha, MOAM, NatureTrust, Qui-Si-Sana Residents' Association, Ramblers' Association and Save Wied Garnaw Action Group.