Threatening flood waters recede at Għadira nature reserve

Richard Cachia Zammit

Mar 16th 2009, 19:19

Thank goodness that this problem has been tackled in time. Little Ringed Plovers have already started arriving. Soon we will have these little waders breeding again. Thanks for the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs for their action and thanks to Birdlife for giving us and our children the opportunity to witness new species of birds breeding in our islands.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 16th 2009, 18:14

Mr. J. Borg, I had to read your comment twice to confirm that what I was reading was correctly understood. You, of all people, have the ardour to accuse others with 'hatred'!!!!!!!! Wherever have you seen hatred in my comment? The same cannot be said regarding yours however, Sir. In addition to disrespect, intollerance and hatred, I feel I must also add lack of shame when describing your comments.

J. Borg

Mar 16th 2009, 17:25

@ Andrew Gatt Reclaiming the countryside away from those who litter it with lead pellets (not to mention dead birds) IS consistent with the environment I treasure. Shooting birds dead, or grazing fields for trapping IS NOT consistent with any credible environmentalist. As I said before - but you seem to have conveniently missed - hunting affects a wider area than that owned by any hunter. Moreover your claim that the islands' countryside is owned by hunters - must make hunters really rich folks, or if it is all leased out - the Inland Revenue should question the hunters to mop up possibly undeclared income! That said (true) environmental NGOs have been calling for years to draw up a register of all fields and open spaces, and earmark those that may be covered by a hunting license. So go ahead support the initiative ....no need to be a member dear!

Andrew Gatt

Mar 16th 2009, 16:07

Wilfred, you're probably right about the cause. You're DEFINITELY right about MEPA's dismal environmental record. Hotels on ODZ land, quarries defacing our landscape, extension of Development Zones, squatters on public land (whole villages!), destruction of trees, loss of habitat, non-enforcement of environmental regulations and on and on and on. ALL PRIME CAUSES FOR LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY.

What gets my haclkes up is Birdlife's obstinate and obsessive anti-hunters-and-anti-hunting crusade, based on fantastic figures, manipulation of public opinion and the demonising of the traditional hunting and trapping pastimes. Had Birdlife limited itself to combating poaching and habitat destruction, I would definitely be a member myself. The irony is that the preservation of our remaining open spaces benefits both hunters and birdlovers, and there is space for both. However, Birdlife seems so much more anti-hunters than pro-birds that this is an impossibility. I have come to detest their tactics, their deceit and their agendas.

J Borg.......hatred? That's rich indeed, coming from you! All your contributions rage away against all types of hunting, you ramble away about "reclaiming the countryside" at every opportunity, parroting Birdlife's campaign ad nauseum. Most land is privately owned or leased, so why not go buy some?

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Mar 16th 2009, 15:45

This article goes to show how the existing road effects the natural movement of sand and how right the suggestion to shift this road is. Following a proper study of the area, If the fear of the reserve being flooded by seawater can be confirmed, what is stopping Birdlfie from constructing a sea wall to eliminate this possibility. If Birdlife insist on their objecting to the removal of the road. They should see to it that any blockages are cleared at their own expense. Birdlife's Reserve watchmen are paid by Government out of our taxes. The removal of "a considerable volume of sand." also at the taxpayers expense is nothing less than a waste of taxpayers money. If the road did not exist the sand would not have been trapped there in the first place.

J. Borg

Mar 16th 2009, 15:40

And then some....including Mr. Gatt and Ms. Zarb darmanin, and other "conservationalists" claim that 'others' show HATRED against them!
Cheeky?!
And when arson attacks are made at the Ghadira Nature Reserve, nobody should even dare dream that it could be the act of a group with "socio-cultural and traditional" qualities!

Wilfred L Camilleri

Mar 16th 2009, 15:37

Andrew, it seems to me that the problem was not caused by BirdLife but by those who changed the culvert to allow another monstrous Kiosk to be built on a public beach! Why are you blaming BirdLife for this? This is another example of poor planning and lack of control by those responsible for issuing and enforcing building permits. Perhaps it is MEPA you should be blaming.

Andrew Gatt

Mar 16th 2009, 13:02

I guess Birdlife must have spent all their money on those infamous billboards! Ara ddahhlu idejkhom gol-but, ta! And this after a recent letter gushing about what a fantastic job they're doing in managing the reserve. Just don't know what to believe anymore............

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 16th 2009, 11:08

I congratulate BirdLife Malta for their excellent PR!!!

When Spring Hunting starts approaching, we start reading about the wounded birds found, reports received regarding illegal hunting, etc., etc.

Now that the new Ghadira Road is being mentioned, we start reading reports such as this!

Your PR "jahdem fuq ir-rubini"!!!!!!