Friday, 30th October 2009
Cry, the beloved countryside*
The pathways at Ta' Baldu, which are government-owned have been landscaped with hard stone and access to them barred. Photo: Alex Vella/Malta Ramblers Association.
The onslaught on the countryside has continued unabated as the law is breached with impunity in various parts of the island, according to Lino Bugeja, president of the Ramblers Association of Malta.
Together with Mr Bugeja and another two members of the association, we had gone to Ta' Baldu on the way to Simblija near Dingli. These agricultural and historical gems are two of the highlights of one of the treks the ramblers organise annually.
Ta' Baldu contains various archaeological and rural remains. Beneath several farmhouses are a number of caves one of which incorporates a system of irrigation with water gushing from a spring. The date 1629 is inscribed on one of the walls.
Nearby, a string of rubble walls of excellent workmanship rise up to five metres.
A farmer who owns part of the land said that when she once asked her mother who had built these exceptional walls, the answer she got was: "They were built by the devil in three days".
At Ta' Baldu, several pathways that are government property - the area has been scheduled by the planning authority - have been landscaped with hard stone and several entrances barred by means of iron gates. Most of the caves also have had an iron gate fitted barring access to the public.
These actions have outraged Mr Bugeja and fellow ramblers.
"Every year we notice a worsening of the situation as more land is clutched away from the enjoyment of the Maltese," Mr Bugeja said.
Moving on to Simblija, one of the pathways is "guarded" by a pack of dogs that scare the daylights out of anyone who dares attempt go forward. Signs reading Keep Out in several languages often make visitors turn back. Rusted oil tanks "adorn" parts of the rubble walls.
Simblija is characterised by a mediaeval chapel and the remains of an agricultural village from the late mediaeval period.
The trek takes in Wied Liemu, lying between Dingli and Rabat. This valley is being spoilt by the building of rubble walls twice the height of the legal limit of four feet, Mr Bugeja notes.
This disfigurement is particularly evident on the Nigret side of the valley near a vineyard that is additionally scarred by mounds of rubble. These blots spoil the view of ramblers who meander along the winding walkways.
"Soon swathes of red clover will carpet the land but, if matters deteriorate further, one will only be able to enjoy this breathtaking view with the help of binoculars from Nigret Hill," Mr Bugeja lamented.
*With apologies to Alan Paton
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Comments
Land on Malta is essentially government owned (much as anywhere else) and then leased out for some purpose, usually farming. Else it would be left for the exclusive use of public enjoyment. The central point being made in this comments board is that by Joe Mallia: "MEPA approval for development in ODZ areas is a common occurrence." I do not know exactly what he means by ODZ, but essentially it would be similar (my guess) to what here in Australia we refer to as Crown Land.
Gonzi cannot just say that he is in charge of MEPA. If he is in charge of MEPA, then he also has to accept responsibility for MEPA's behaviour. What is government land must remain government land. Where there is a need to assist the public, such as growing produce, then this need is met by leasing land to farmers. Parceling out chunks of land for the enjoyment of individuals, who would then "gate it out" is simply unacceptable. On a Sunday afternoon, people need to go out and enjoy the countryside. The psychological cost to the nation if this need is not met is incalculable.
"Simblija is characterised by a mediaeval chapel ..." which is guarded by a pack of mad dogs. A medieval chapel can scarcely be found on land which, according to MEPA, is private or can only be accessed through land which is private. The bottom line is, Mr Dingli, that in Malta MEPA does not enjoy public trust. Gonzi himself is in charge of MEPA and it looks like he has allowed the island to slip into the hands of the wealthy few so much so that one can hardly go for a walk in the countryside without encountering some form of hostility or exclusion. Every Maltese has a basic human right to feel secure and welcomed when walking anywhere on Malta. If MEPA is denying this right, then MEPA should be exposed and be made to explain.
I think this should be found out and then we can comment on whether the owners or ramblers who were in the wrong, otherwise it is pure speculation and mud slinging
I believeve that this information is the basic but most necessary tool to various entities like Local Councils and MTA but also Government Departments to plan, upgrade, propose walking routes and check down on obscene illegalities like the barring off of public land and pathways-plus cleansing interventions etc.
@ Joe Agius, Naming and Shaming?, 90% do not respect owners private property, especially the ramblers of Mr Lino Bugeja, they trespass wherever they please and ignoring every sign and sometimes even the owner if he's onsite. There are many public places including the Majjistral Park to be enjoyed, and there is no need to disturb others privacy, everyone wants to enjoy the countryside in winter but nobody release how much work is done in summer to keep the place organized.
I ve heard that the site is being hired for private receptions / parties etc...!!!
Keep it up Mr. Bugeja
This country really needs people like you...people fighting for the common good of our beloved Malta.
Shame on all the authorities & persons responsable.
Who told you it's their garden?? They just paid for the gate and took what was inside.
The Editorial today is about 'Naming and Shaming'. To my mind this should not be limited “to tackle consumer protection” but also to abuses of the type mentioned in this article. If I remember correctly we had incidents more or less similar to the above happening in other localities. Articles and letters generally refer to the abuse but rarely, if ever, mention the abusers. It is high time these too be named so that the public will be in a better position to decide what action to take in the face of such high-handed acts.