Proposals to strengthen Majjistral Park board

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Aug 7th 2009, 21:37

J.Borg
You "lack the"traditional" , "socio" and "cultural" qualities that are obviously so manifested in hunters". You must be joking., you do not even know what they mean let alone lack them. In fact what you really lack is a sense of tolerance so common to all decent human beings. Apart from that you lack respect for your fellow country folk.

What you surely have a surplus of is a venom, directed at hunters, immaterial of whether they observe the law or not, a warped perspective of what the enjoyment of the countryside is all about and a form of unbeatable selfishness in the manner you express your desire to attain a hunter free countryside.

Judging from the comments in this paper, coming from people from all walks of life, your line of reasoning is a rarity.

J. Borg

Aug 7th 2009, 18:15

@ Andrew Gatt

I'm not a hunter.....

thus bear with me because I obviously lack the
"traditional" , "socio" and "cultural" qualities that are obviously so manifested in hunters ;)

Mario Gauci

Aug 7th 2009, 17:08

There can be no place for nature destruction, of which bird killing is one, caravans or other such activities in a Nature and Heritage Park such as Majjistral.

David Borg Cardona

Aug 7th 2009, 17:07

@ Andrew Gatt..

Andrew, she does not to seem to know better I'm afraid.. she is so taken up preaching her usual lullaby that Madame Borg has forgotten her manners.. Btw.. did you notice she mentions the "lead pellets falling beyond your land " bit.. Hmmmm now have we heard that before somewhere ????

r sammut

Aug 7th 2009, 16:47

So the FKNK is never considered as one other NGO? It is definitely one of the largest organizations with the most members. FKNK members carry out a lot of biodiversity work, especially in and around Mellieha, as Miezieb and Ahrax. Members build rubble walls, prune and plant trees and collect tonnes of rubbish each year, all voluntarily. All sort of rubbish left by other public users! In March of this year the Minister and Mellieha Mayor were present at Ahrax to see such works in progress!

So why when it concerns matters of hunting the FKNK is sidelined? Why all these drastic measures to a place where, up to end of January the hunting problem was of no concern, whatsoever?

On the other hand a similar measure should be allowed at places as Foresta 2000! Why such places together with the Ghadira reserve are shut to all forms of public activities? This agenda of NGOs earmarking land and deprive sections of the Malta populace for motives known only to them, is taking on!

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Aug 7th 2009, 16:30

An MTA sponsored Country Walk guide, specifically advises tourists to be particularly cautious during the hunting season.

It seems that Malta has its own endemic dangerous creatures after all! Indeed the sort that object to what the MTA advises tourists to do.

By asking tourists to be cautious during the hunting season the MTA is simply advising tourists to use their common sense and not intrude upon hunters who have every right to be exercising their practice.

Considering they are foreign to our island they do not know our customs, unlike J.Borg they do not suggest eliminating the hunter from the countryside (unless spurred on by Birdlfie and Co. ) in fact they heed the MTA's advice and enjoy their intended walks.

It is the J.Borg species that objects to the hunter's presence and uses any excuse to see it banned.

Proof of her unfounded allegations is the large number of locals and tourist seen walking in the country all year round.

J. Borg people have eyes and see the amount of people that do enjoy the countryside.

Andrew Gatt

Aug 7th 2009, 15:54

@ J Borg...........by the way, when replying to a commentator, it is good manners and common sense to reply @ A Formosa, not @ Formosa.

J. Borg

Aug 7th 2009, 12:04

@ Formosa

Pls get your facts right

Firstly Nature Trust, Gaia, and Din l-Art Helwa are actually OPPOSING any plans to get caravans at the National Park. If fact some of your hunting friends have already critisied the NGOs for "daring" to object!
Thus pls be consistent.

Secondly, as to MTA - an MTA sponsored Country Walk guide, specifically advises tourists to be particularly cautious during the hunting season.
It seems that Malta has its own endemic dangerous creatures after all!

I will be the first to defend your right over your own private land -
HOWEVER when you use shotguns FROM your land - the lead pellets fall BEYOND your land and you are factually endangering people who are NOT ON your land.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Aug 7th 2009, 12:02

Curtailing hunting times in national parks could be setting a precedent. What if, and a big IF, Majjistral Park and the areas of Bahrija, Fomm ir-rih, Mtahleb etc. were to be turned into a national park. There seems to be an intention of doing this in order to link these areas to the existing Hunting no -go areas of Foresta 2000 (Birdlife), and Ghajn Tuffieha (GAIA). Which would mean the whole SE coast of Malta would be an area where hunting is restricted to whatever time some "genius" decides to dictate.

Considering that this time limit is also imposed upon owners of private property. What are hunters that own land in these areas meant to do. Pack up by 9 a.m too?

If Government had to consider how other countries regulate hunting in national parks it might learn that imposing time limitations upon hunters, yet again, is only particular to Malta.

No spring hunting, no trapping, half days in September and now the possibility of hunting only until 9a.m. What next DR. Gonzi?

And then people wonder why the hunting association is setting up a working group with the PL. Any Doubts?

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Aug 7th 2009, 12:01

Once hunting is to be allowed in the park, albeit restricted to 9 a.m. . why is the hunters federation not represented on the park board?

Considering another proposal lays down a procedure that would give the board the final say on anything related to the park. Hunters have a right to be represented since they seem to be the only sector of society who have been restricted from enjoying this public area.

Are hunters not part of Maltese society? Judging by the way the PN is treating them, they are right in feeling discriminated.

Yet again Government is imposing measures upon hunters without having the decency to listen to their proposals. In this case their proposals have been totally ignored.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Aug 7th 2009, 10:41

Why, Mr Franco Farrugia? Do you actually know who the appointee from Mellieha is?

The Environment Ministry is quoted as saying: "This decision cannot in any way be considered as an act against hunters. It is proof that the board of the Majjistral Park does not exclude anyone but gives room for everyone," . If indeed this was the case, then a representative from the FKNK should have been appointed on the board!!

Finally, I urge the Ministry to apply a similar partial ban on the Ghadira Mellieha Nature Reserve! In the past, the Maltese citizens could enjoy that area 24x7, 365 days a week. Now, this is only allowed on Sundays! Government is duty-bound to treat ALL MALTESE CITIZENS equally!!

J. Borg

Aug 7th 2009, 10:33

It is good to have a MLC rep on the board

HOWEVER he/she should replace one of the govt. appointees.

Having government dictating matters (we all know who leads the MLC currently) is subtle arrogance by GonziPN!

Anthony Formosa

Aug 7th 2009, 10:05

@ The ministry:

May I ask why on Sundays and public holidays those who have private land have to pack up and leave by 13:00 hrs? This idea was for the public to enjoy the countryside free for all. How come the board decided that this place was of history and nature, when two years back it was condemned for a golf course. So may I ask what history the government was planning to destroy? The government is taking the public for another ride, we create a park and destroy another like Ta Qali. What happen to Kennedy Grove or is it City Gate more important than this.

@ J.Borg: replying to yesterdays answer. So now its there and then and not Maltese but tourists, and I should ask MTA to confirm or perhaps WJZ can do that. Tourist complains about the time share touts, rubbish, and shabby Malta, and sewage, ask MTA yourself. Do you remember Ta Qali, we use to hunt there as well, it then turned into a park and NOW? VANISHED. You see our NGOs they're already planning for a caravan site, are you going to protest now? SPEAK LOUD PLEASE

Please Read.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090806/local/hundreds-of-dead-animals-picked-up-from-maltese-roads

Franco Farrugia

Aug 7th 2009, 09:50

It is obvious why there is going to be a Mellieha Local Council representative on the board.