Positive protest and radical reparation at Mellieha

Destroying trees wantonly is a dreadful crime and can also include murder, even mass murder. Dreadful events last summer in neighbouring European countries confirm this unmistakably. Arsonists not only destroyed woodlands and damaged properties but also brought about the death of hundreds of people.

Such offences against nature and humanity help no cause. They utterly discredit the perpetrators. They turn people against the ideology the criminals may claim they stand for. Pope Benedict XVI branded arson as "a sin against God and humanity".

It is appropriate that if the sinners will not repent and as atonement undertake fundamental restoration for the harm they had perpetrated, the rest of the population, by far the vast majority, should themselves undertake radical reparation by appropriate action.

On September 16, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, whose country was plagued by forest fires, which he claimed were deliberately started, gave European Commission President Josè Manuel Barroso a helicopter tour of smouldering parts of the Peloponnese. Afterwards, Mr Barroso told reporters: "A Greek problem is a European problem and above all, this is a human tragedy. Now we can rebuild what has been destroyed."

I have purposely stressed the last sentence, because it sets out a plan of action for the future. It is useless crying over spilt milk, if one stops just at that. The sensible thing to do is to milk the cow again to make sure you will be able to have more milk.

Mr Karamanlis, who blames arsonists, not only wants to bring the perpetrators to justice, but also to make up for their heinous offence by compensating the victims and by planting more trees than those that have been destroyed.

Pope Benedict too, has not stopped at condemning the sins against God and humanity that the deliberate destruction of trees constitutes. He has taken decisive action to repair the damage and even go well beyond that. On September 2, wearing green vestments for the occasion, the Pope presided over what was called the Catholic Church's first 'eco-friendly youth rally'.

According to press reports, in one of his strongest environmental appeals so far, the Pope stated that courageous choices must be made before it is too late to re-create a strong alliance between humankind and earth. Among the measures to be taken urgently is the planting of numerous trees, especially in southern Italy, where bushfires caused widespread devastation in summer.

On May 9 a wanton act of vandalism was committed at Mellieha at the site known as Foresta 2000, where an afforestation project had been undertaken under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment, with the collaboration of two NGOs, BirdLife and Din l-Art Helwa.

Over the last three years more than 12,000 trees had been planted at Foresta 2000, of which 7,000 were donated by the Italian government. Moreover, a number of trees were planted by many people in response to the 34U (Tree for You) campaign. Over 90 per cent of the pine trees planted during the past three years were vandalised on May 9.

The next day, the Minister of Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, visited the vandalised area and strongly deplored the criminal destruction. He stated: "We are all committed to send a clear message that vandalism will not be allowed to gain the upper hand over our resolve and the purpose of those who are validly striving to forge a better environment in our country for the benefit of our people and the well-being of future generations."

Mr Pullicino added that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that even more trees than those destroyed or damaged would be planted at Foresta 2000. Now is the time to make good the minister's pledge and go well beyond it!

On May 11, a ministry press release stated that to make good Mr Pullicino's pledge, "as a concrete first step, the HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund and the Maltacom group will be contributing Lm10,000 to rehabilitate this area (Foresta 2000). Moreover, a bank account called 'Foresta 2000: Replant the Trees' is being opened to which we urge the public to contribute."

The press release then quoted Dr Philip Farrugia Randon, director of HSBC Bank Malta plc: "These ugly acts of vandalism not only deserve to be condemned; they also show that there is a very dangerous, criminal tendency in the small minority that perpetrate such acts. This kind of conduct goes against the nature of the Maltese people. It is imperative to show that the people of Malta understand how to respond to their moral obligation not only towards our precious environment, but also towards Maltese society as a whole. With these sentiments in our mind and heart, we urge the public to show solidarity and to help in every way."

The ministry press release also quoted Franco Aloisio, head of communications and public affairs of Maltacom: "As a local company we treasure whatever is Maltese, including the environment. What happened at Mellieha is shameful and deserves condemnation. We are proud to have been among the first to contribute towards the revitalisation of endeavours to promote afforestation. Investment in the environment is part and parcel of the corporate social responsibility of the Maltacom Group."

The press release ended with the note: "Donations can be made on the HSBC bank account of no. 033221458 001." Later a Bank of Valletta account, no.10196790984 was opened. (Both accounts are still open and the public is still being invited to protest against those who destroyed the 3,000 trees by sending a donation to these accounts or by sending an SMS on 5061-7375 for Lm1, 5061-8079 Lm2, 5061-9219 Lm5). In all, more than Lm40,000 have been collected so far.

The wanton destruction of trees, especially in Mellieha, luckily did not result in deaths. However, it was still a senseless crime which did no cause a person any good. It killed trees and devastated vegetation. It scorched the environment. This offence against Malta and the Maltese demands radical reparation; and it is getting it! A positive protest in the name of the outraged and saddened people of Malta will take place during next weekend (Friday-Sunday) in the Red Tower area of Mellieha. Thanks to the generous response from many quarters, including foreign embassies, the positive protest will take the shape of an over threefold reparation for the damage inflicted by senseless vandals. The planting of 9,000 trees will mark an appropriate, practical reaction to the offence of deliberately destroying 3,000 trees.

I asked Glenn Bugeja, co-ordinator of the 34U campaign that is organising the event, what the programme included. "We will kick start the weekend by inviting all the schools which contributed funds towards the vandalised trees fund to bring their children to the site on Friday, and to plant trees," he replied. "Companies which made donations, their staff and families will have the chance to plant trees on Friday, Saturday or Sunday."

"The three days will be a programme of non-stop activity, where we'll have tree planting and organised tours by day - Din l-Art Helwa is organising a tour around the Red Tower while BirdLife Malta is organising a tour around the EU Life project site (Rdum tal-Madonna) and the Ghadira Natural Reserve. Concerts by night are also being organised. On Saturday singer Freddie Portelli will perform from 10 p.m. onwards at the Tower area." Mr Bugeja added that over the three days, a group of Scouts and Guides will be camping in the area.

President Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, and the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, will all be making appearances over the three days. In fact the National Tree Planting Weekend will kick off on Friday morning in the presence of the President together with a group of 600 children from various schools which donated funds towards the vandalised trees at Mellieha.

"We would like to invite the public to come over and participate in this afforestation project and to appreciate all the work which is being done in order to preserve our natural heritage," Mr Bugeja said.

The trees will be planted in the Red Tower area.

For more information, call the 34U campaign team on 2295-2333 or e-mail 34U@gov.mt.