Video: BirdLife fears negative impact from removal of existing Ghadira road
BirdLife Malta officials insisted today that the government’s plans to build a new road at Ghadira should be stopped until the government produced scientific evidence to back its claims that the project was needed in order to safeguard the beach.
The government has proposed building a new road further inland from the existing one, which will be removed. Transport Minister Austin Gatt has insisted the new road is needed to protect the beach and stop erosion.
Tolga Temuge, BirdLife executive director, accused the government of ‘scaremongering’ and said that building a new road further inland did not automatically mean that the beach would grow. Indeed, what could happen was that it would retreat inward and ruin the nature reserve.
Andre Raine, conservation manager, said it was possible that the existing Ghadira Road was serving as a form of coastal defence protecting the ecologically important habitat of Ghadira, which was below sea level.
“Transport Minister Austin Gatt is proposing the removal of the road without undertaking any research as to what impact this would have on coastal processes and whether negative effects such as inundation of these key areas could be a consequence, particularly in stormy conditions.”
The officials said they had objected to a former proposal by then minister Jesmond Mugliett because the project involved elevating the existing road and cutting through part of the nature reserve and destroying hundreds of trees at the Foresta 2000 project site.
They said that the only thing that was common between Dr Gatt’s latest proposal and that by Mr Mugliett was that it would create a breach in front of the SeaBank Hotel.
They urged the Prime Minister, whose ministerial portfolio included the environment, to intervene in the issue.
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Richard Cachia Zammit
Dec 5th 2008, 17:35
@MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Large numbers of waterfowl congregate in areas such as the salt marshes of Wadi El Natrun because it is an ideal habitat for such birds and not because fresh water is plentiful in Egypt. If that was the reason and they prefer fresh water, they would frequent areas where there is fresh water instead and not spend the winter in a Hyper-saline lake. There are ducks such as the Common Shelduck that actually prefers salt marshes. Can you deny that?
However you do get species of waterfowl wintering in the Ghadira Nature Reserve in small numbers and that shows that it is not a case that the habitat is not right for these birds. It is just that the size of the reserve is limited and can only support a small number of such birds. If the habitat wasn’t right, they wouldn’t even stay there but just continue to move on.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 5th 2008, 12:19
The former hunting area, now a birdlife reserve, consisted of a pool of fresh water that was replenished with rain water each year and an arid hole during the dry season. This area attracted a multitude of birds since it was the only large source of fresh water in the north of the island. When taken over by Birdlife(MOS) the area was dug up to a deeper level with the result that sea water is present throughout the year. In short, its ornithological value has been ruined.
The Wadi El Natrun is indeed HYPER-SALINE. and is very popular with wildfowl. But one thing you forgot to mention is that unlike Malta, in Egypt the supply of fresh water is plentiful. This is what makes Egypt attractive to wildfowl and not the HYPER-Saline Wadi.
The Ghadira reserve can only be considered as a resting place for the few wildfowl that visit our arid islands since ducks need water to rest on throughout the day. Ducks also need fresh water to drink and Malta having very limited areas where they can do this, duck prefer to winter in countries where fresh water is plentiful,
Can you deny this??
Richard Cachia Zammit
Dec 4th 2008, 20:32
@Mark Mifsud Bonnici
"Brackish water does not attract waterfowl." I am sure you heard about Wadi El Natrun in Egypt. It is so popular with hunters for wildfowl...and yet Wadi El Natrun is HYPER-SALINE.
C Mallia
Dec 4th 2008, 18:50
The true colours of Mark Mifsud Bonnici and Andrew Gatt are emerging so clearly. If you had any conservation conscience I feel you would not have written as you did, but as long as you paint Birdlife and all other NGOs (Not only Birdlife in this, you know), as extremists, then you are happy.
What probably irks you so much in the end is that Birdlife has had the backing of the EU for quite a while now, so they must be doing some things right. Not much to say about FKNK.
Raymond Galea
Dec 4th 2008, 17:58
The beautiful strech of garigue (xaghri) area behind the Ghadira Nature Reserve to Cumnija and Anchor Bay should be an extension and part of Majjistral Natural Park. No roads or other infrastructure should be build over this still virgin land. What is really needed at Ghadira is the upgrading of the existing road and the removal of the ugly green 'shanty town', full stop. Please leave a place for nature in this minute Island of ours. Authorities, do not continue raping our Natural Environment, just for the sake of spending (wasting) 15 Million Euros. Malta (we) DO NOT need such a road.
Geoffrey Saliba
Dec 4th 2008, 16:10
BirdLife Malta makes the following clarification regarding Mr. Andrew Gatt’s unfounded allegations about our organization.
Following advice from its experts the EC took Malta to the European Court of Justice on the spring hunting issue, showing that the Commission found Malta’s arguments insufficient. Contrary to Mr. Gatt’s claims, the available scientific data shows there is an alternative to spring hunting.
Mr Gatt talks about BirdLife International’s IUCN List – there is no such thing. The red list is created by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (not BirdLife International). The IUCN Red List categorizes species based on their global distribution. In a mistake that is frequently utilised by the hunting lobby, Mr Gatt tries to consider the status of these species at a global level. However, at a European level (and Malta is in Europe), both are classified as Species of Conservation Concern.
Mr Gatt is wrong in claiming that BirdLife Malta has objected to the proposed wind farm. BirdLife Malta is supportive of renewable energy sources, as long as they are carefully considered. As with all prospective projects, BirdLife has advised the government for scientific surveys to be carried out before considering this proposal.
Chris Finch
Dec 4th 2008, 15:48
So Mark, finally you have admitted it, your organisation isnt environmentally conscious. The first step to getting better is admitting you have a problem.
Maybe now you should put forward a proposal to take the word 'conservation' out of the name FKNK. After all its just a waste of ink without the sentiment behind it.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 4th 2008, 15:11
A perfectly logical proposal by one of our ministers is being turned into a crusade by all Environmental conscious NGO's.
Logic and common sense do not form part of their agenda. On the contrary they will team up, invent and contort facts in order to stop any project or activity they oppose.
The existing road at Ghadira has suddenly become a "coastal defense system" protecting the BirdLife nature reserve. What Mr. Temuge and Dr. Raine might not know is that the reserve is below sea level because original site was dug up when the reserve was being created, permanently damaging the ecosystem of the area. This is the prime reason for waterfowl not favoring the reserve as a wintering area. Brackish water does not attract waterfowl.
Their assumed threat to the Bird reserve has shown their true colours. They accuse a minister of incompetence and favoritism. Discredit the fact that the process of beach formation is nonexistent and accusing both minister Gatt and Mugliett of accommodating a hotelier in the area.
The Prime Minister whose support has been urged by these persons should indeed think twice before posing and cutting ribbons at their next activity.
john vella
Dec 4th 2008, 14:48
frankly why all the fuss about a road in the trees after all trees absorb the noise and pollution that cars make so we can have a quieter and cleaner place,but they have to plant trees that can grow and not after 20 or so years their hieght will be just 2 mtrs, just go to Gozo and drive from Victoria to Nadur ,really different world, surrounded by tall trees,birds crossing from side to side high up without getting hit by passing traffic,and after all birds are not scared of moving traffic, but of creeping eyes .
Chris Finch
Dec 4th 2008, 14:41
p.s. And how can the Government even think about building an unnecessary new road when they havent even finished the St Pauls Bay Bypass?
Couldnt this money be better spent - or is this another way for GonziPN to raise our taxes even further?
Chris Finch
Dec 4th 2008, 14:30
Doesn't anyone see that this road will actually make the traffic situation worse? there will be a sharp bend where the new section meets the old section - a potential accident blackspot.
@ Tony Caruana - If anyone had any pride in this country, then there would be no rampant development, No litter everywhere, no polluted seas (sewage is being pumped directly in to the sea where we all swim) and so-called environmentalists would not support an obviously damaging project just because thier sworn enemies are opposed to it.
So the more foreigners who are living and resident here who actually come from civilised countries and want to make a difference here the better.
And yes, I am from the UK and I know we have environmental issues there also.
Chris Galea
Dec 4th 2008, 14:22
Now dear Tolga Temuge you can taste a bit of bad medicine !!! How do you feel now that the government opposes you ?!!!!
Who are you to tell our government what to do ?! You can cry,lie,inflate,splash it on international news and tell big brother (EU) ! Austin Gatt is not George Pullicino !!!!!
Stephen Baldaccchino
Dec 4th 2008, 14:20
I would like to know who is the goverment in this country? Birdlife ?. Now It's your turn to feel what we felt. Hadd wara hadd tghasal ta kulhadd.
Harry borda
Dec 4th 2008, 13:58
This government has been taken for a ride by these so called "ECO" groups because they managed to convince him to make life hell for us hunters. Now it seems that they are behaving like spoilt children, either they have it their way or else they create an uproar! I for one am enjoying every minute of this moaning.
Franco Farrugia
Dec 4th 2008, 13:49
@ Tony Caruana - Indeed, it is a great SHAME that Maltese people do not look after the natural environment in their own country and it has to be 'foreigners', to put it as you did, to stand up and be counted.
@ Jason Sammut - 'What is wrong in building and going through a road, surrounded with trees on both sides like there are, a few paces away, in mizeb.'
Simply because it is still not 'natural'. You are destroying nature. That's just it.
But you're quite unable to see that, can you?
Richard Cachia Zammit
Dec 4th 2008, 13:44
@Andrew Gatt
I thought you said you cared about our natural environment and in your comment you even criticise the attempts to further protect our breeding colony of Yelkouan Shearwaters. This species is globally threatened and we have some 10% of the global population of this species. TUT TUT TUT…who is the hypocrite now?
Tony Caruana
Dec 4th 2008, 13:39
I really do not care if the road stays or nor. What i do not like is a bunch of foreigners telling us what we should do. And they are getting paid Handsomely for it as well !!!
Do we have any pride left in this country ?
J. Borg
Dec 4th 2008, 13:36
Andrew Gatt
Perhaps there's a little difference....
BirdLife and REAL environmental NGOs , do not take away anything from nature but factually protect it.
You and the hunting fraternity, shoot down birds (protected or not), shower fields with lead, and effectively take over the public countryside - just so you can thrill yourselves with a kill.
Moreover, you are now, exposing more than ever, the flawed environmental credentials to claim to have, by blindly supporting a proposal that will inflict environmental devastation on a wide areas - simply because such proposal will also ruin the Ghadira Reserve.
Keep it up....
John Azzopardi
Dec 4th 2008, 13:13
Tolga Temuge is right on this matter. Not only can the minister have no scientific evidence that removal of the road would enlarge the beach, but the reverse would happen. In the past, before the road was ever built, where today there is the Ghadira Nature Reserve were saltpans because with nothing to stop it, the sea simply inundated the plain. There not only the beach would disappear, but also the nature reserve as well as parts of Ghadira valley.
Jason Sammut
Dec 4th 2008, 13:08
Now how come that a non-eu citizen is sarcastically telling our minister what to do. Statements like "unacceptable" ,"miraculously", "meet eu legislation criteria" from a person who comes from an non-EU country is too much.
Although it is a Natura 2000 site, it does not mean that no roads could be built. Also the road is just going through the phase 3 part of the project, which means that one could easily integrate the road since not even part one of the project is ready.
What is wrong in building and going through a road, surrounded with trees on both sides like there are, a few paces away, in mizeb.
Andrew Gatt
Dec 4th 2008, 12:37
Oh, so now Birdlife wants scientific evidence in hand before decisions are taken! What a difference from the Spring Hunting issue - remember all the hype, exaggerations, lies and lobbying? What about the available scientific evidence then......which proved that the 2 bird species in question were both prolific and of least concern (later confirmed by none other then Birdlife International's IUCN List)?
A few dozen, foreign-led activists are leading this country by the nose. It's always NO!! NO!!They objected to the proposed wind farm. They want us to switch off lights to save a tenth of a shearwater a year (scientific evidence IS available!!) They want more bans and restrictions. They object in the most unreasonable way. And they have no qualms about running off to the EU with their sob stories, AD buddies and exaggerations, inciting legal action and threatening fines.
Hypocrites, the lot of you. Enjoy the ride, guys. Austin Gatt is a very different kettle of fish to George Pullicino. See how you like it when something you care about is threatened or taken away.