Balluta valley protected

The planning authority yesterday scheduled Balluta Valley, declaring it an area of ecological importance.

The valley, which cuts through the localities of Sliema and St Julians, covers an area of over 46,000 square metres.

It holds some distinctive features in that it is “shorter, steeper, and wider” than most other valleys in Malta, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said in a statement.The area has been designated with different levels of protection and includes a buffer zone to protect the overall integrity of the valley.

Richard Lia, Mepa’s heritage planning officer, said although urbanisation girdles the entire valley, its steep banks and bed still support rich and dense vegetation.

Mr Lia also said this “green lung”, in a densely built-up area, has various components that contribute to the landscape setting of this valley, whose agricultural land is still farmed in the traditional way.

The entire protected valley is composed of globigerina limestone (Franka).

Apart from a predominance of carob and olive trees, its bed also supports bay laurels, while the upper valley side sustains a population of rosemary and pyramidal orchids, among other floral species.