Magħtab landfill progress

The number of trees planted on the Coast Road hinterland in the Magħtab landfill project was 3,135, of which 143 died after a strong gregale shortly after they had been planted. The total cost was €76,000.

Answering a parliamentary question by Anthony Agius Decelis (MLP) about progress on the Magħtab landfill project yesterday, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said the government was allocating some €20 million to continue the rehabilitation of the old Magħtab dump, which had been closed down in 2004. It was planned to plant more trees on a regular basis.

Mr Pullicino pointed out that experts had said from the outset that the planting of trees at the landfill was a very sensitive and delicate process. In this first phase of tree planting the site was also serving as a laboratory to see how trees would adapt to the site's climatic conditions. It was exposed not only to the elements but also to difficult environmental characteristics.