Anger at persistent acts of vandalism in nature areas

A Nature Trust stalwart has expressed her anger and frustration at persistent acts of vandalism in areas managed by the environmental organisation.

People don’t realise how much time and effort we put into afforestation

Annalise Falzon told The Sunday Times that the theft of more than 170 newly planted trees from Xrobb l-Għaġin Park last weekend was just the latest entry in a catalogue of malicious acts against Nature Trust projects, which are sapping the morale of membersand volunteers.

“People don’t realise how much time and effort we putinto afforestation projects,” Ms Falzon said.

“It’s a long process of planning, growing trees in a nursery, planting and then watering, which takes years. And it’s all for nothing when people come along and destroy what we have planted.”

As a student, Ms Falzon was a founding member of Arbor in 1989, which later became part of Nature Trust.

Arbor was the organisation that saved Wied Għollieqa in Msida/San Ġwann from being developed by the Universityin the 1990s.

Ever since, Ms Falzon hasbeen heavily involved in the reforestation and protection of the valley, which has been the sole responsibility of Nature Trust since 1999 and was declared a Nature Reservein 2001.

Over the years, Ms Falzon has witnessed the results of many malicious acts in Wied Għollieqa, including the burning of 250 trees in 1999; the uprooting of 100 trees in 2003; the burning of hundreds more trees in 2004; the destruction of panels in 2007and 2008 and damage to old carob trees and the plant nursery twice in 2010.

Last year in Wied Għollieqa, Nature Trust found drownedcats and hedgehogs and damageto the nursery, signs andoffice windows.

Leading The Sunday Times on a tour of the wild valley, MsFalzon wearily pointed out fresh graffiti on rubble walls and areas still recovering from fires.

“One year we had someone repeatedly ‘ringing’ (cutting the bark) of trees, which causes them to slowly die. It just seemed so cruel,” Ms Falzon said.

“This is the only area of greenery for miles and we obviously want people to enjoy it, butthey need to respect it,” she added, stressing that Nature Trust cannot afford to employ 24-hour security.

Numerous police reports have been filed, though the police did not respond to questions from The Sunday Times about whether any culprits had been apprehended and whetherthey were investigating any motives for targeting Nature Trust-managed areas.

Offences at other Nature Trust sites include damage to information panels in Dwejra in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and the theft of watering equipment and pines from Xrobb l-Għaġin.

In an effort to fight back, Ms Falzon is organising a “Kayak against vandalism” event in Gozo on June 23, which she hopes will raise funds and awareness of the need for vigilance and respect in protected areas.

For more detals, visit the “Kayak against vandalism” Facebook group or e-mail annalise.falzon@gmail.com.