Saturday, 11th October 2008 - 16:24CET

Extension of protection to Ta' Cenc welcomed

Nature Trust (Malta) and Din L-Art Helwa today welcomed MEPA's decision to extend habitat protection to the whole of Ta' Cenc while also declaring Wied Moqbol and Benghajsa Point as protected areas within the Natura 2000 Network.

The MEPA decisions were announced yesterday.

"Ta' Cenc, Wied Moqbol and Benghajsa sites are very important coastal habitats, hosting communities of sea birds protected by the EU Birds Directive. Furthermore, the Ta' Cenc Plateau is very rich in biodiversity on account of the large variety of flora found in the area of the site, as well as in archaeological treasures. All these factors give Ta' Cenc all the credentials for becoming a Natura 2000 site," the NGOs said.

They said they had been trying for years to get these sites - especially Ta' Cenc - fully protected.

The NGOs thanked the authorities and looked forward to effective legal enforcement for the sites.