Bathroom with a view

A much ignored sector of tourism is the vast potential of having guided nature walks along our coast, the countryside and protected areas as ecotourism keeps growing worldwide. Many visitors seek to have a deeper experience by taking in the sights, the history and the natural heritage while learning more about environmental issues, uses of plants, legends and so on and at the same time taking part in a form of healthy exercise.

Yet on practically every occasion I find myself having to explain and often excuse the sheer mess which is found all over, the ever increasing burnt-up areas and forever sprouting trapping and hunting hides. Not to mention the common sight of unsightly buildings. Is this Brand Malta?

The other day was no exception.

At a stop at Il-Maqluba, Qrendi - a strictly protected site - one had to be careful not to fall in all the rubbish.

At a stop at Wied Iz-Zurrieq garden, litter was everywhere.

At a stop at Delimara for views over Marsaxlokk Bay, I couldn't find one patch where to enjoy the view without seeing rubbish and burnt vegetation all around Xrobb l-Ghagin - a newly dumped washing machine, garbage bags and the omnipresent mass of litter covering the plants at Il-Hofriet. It was a complete bathroom with a view (see photo).

While several tourists comment that we have such a rich landscape and awesome views, they are also often disappointed by the sheer abandonment of it all. And please may no one interpret this as meaning we need more of the often horrible embellishments which completely ruin the nature of the place. Or that we need more hotels where to keep tourists happy so they don't have to venture outside in the real world.

Our natural and historical/cultural landscape are such a unique resource in themselves that they rarely require any expensive artificial interventions.

I am speaking of simple measures such as removal of baths, tyres, washing machines, food wrappers, bottles, cans, shotgun cartridges, tables, oil drums, rubble, cookers, mattresses (so many of them!)... the list is just endless. I know from personal experience of many a clean-up that such work is very frustrating but could be rendered less so if Green Wardens would be out there patrolling and the culprits made to pay and clean up after them.

Panoramic sites don't necessarily need concrete promenades to be appreciated - instead they badly need thorough clean-ups and strict enforcement. But then of course concrete pavements and belvederes are often mistaken for a promise of concrete facts during pre-election fever.