Funds for ecological sites

While supporting the call by Nature Trust upon the government for more funds for ecological sites, the government should adopt a more holistic approach towards the protection and conservation of the environment.

Together with increasing financial aid, supporting measures should include better enforcement and investing in eco and agro tourism.

Agro tourism will help in promoting natural environment appreciation and creating green jobs and funds which will partially finance conservation programmes. Failing to adopt a holistic approach can render environmental measures ineffective.

A case in point is the low number of applications submitted for a grant on the purchase of solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels. Although grants were introduced, the number of installations was low.

The relaxation of building height limitations in recent years wiped out any guarantee of retaining present roof top solar exposure. The end result meant less alternative energy investment, affecting the level of green house gas emissions - mainly carbon dioxide plus an increase in the number of vacant properties already existing.