When we think of Sicily, the first thing that comes to mind is the fantastic food – the fresh fish, juicy vegetables, olive oil and mounds of canolli – rightfully giving the island the title of ‘God’s Kitchen’. After that we think of the spectacular beaches, charming baroque towns and the most active volcano in the vicinity.
If we’re going to go on with the mental association exercise there’s also going to be a nod to the whole Godfather scene and the dark side of Sicily. The one thing that doesn’t exactly spring to mind when thinking about Sicily is ‘environmental protection and conservation’. That’s because we have grown up with (true) stories of entire cities built illegally, their inevitable sanctioning some time after the event, the needless roads snaking through the glorious countryside, and the unregulated leeching of water from the water table by private industry.
Actually, it’s not that different from what goes on here, but at least it’s less noticeable given the relative vastness of Sicily. So we run away with the idea that both islands are roughly in the same boat – environmentally-speaking.
You’d think that anybody in Sicily protesting about a new road or another land grab would be sleeping with the fishes half an hour after he unfurled his green banner. And yet, you’d be wrong on some counts. Because despite the Sicilian environmental NGOs always being the underdogs in the conservation scenario, they have had a few notable successes.
For example there’s the stunning dello Zingaro natural and coastal reserve near San Vito Lo Capo. Back in 1976 the area was going to go down the way of many other coastal areas with construction works having started. Then there was a huge public outcry and resistance from environmental NGOs. These culminated in a huge protest march in 1980 and the building works were stopped.
The land in question was expropriated for a public purpose – that of conservation of the environment. The year after it was officially declared a nature reserve and is still unspoilt for Sicilians, visitors and future generations to see and enjoy.
The rumours are that the Mafia wasn’t adverse to the place not being built up as it would allow illegal smuggling to continue unabated – but in any case, the land remained wild and unspoilt. There are a number of other nature reserves in Sicily where absolutely no type of building or commercial activity is allowed (that means you bring your own packed lunch and a towel and you don’t rely on some processed package from a kiosk two feet away from the sun lounger you’re plastered on while fiddling with your phone). They are surprisingly pristine and very peaceful.
In terms of land use and preservation of the coastal environment, I’d say we are the worst in Europe
Zoom back home. Successive governments have given a few sops to the environmental movement – a nature park (where hunters can kill birds at leisure while children carry out clean-up activities) here, the planting of a couple of hundreds of ill-fated saplings there and the occasional drawing competition. I know I may sound cynical, but really, what have we got to show in terms of environmental improvement over the past 30 years?
The rehabilitation of the Magħtab landfill? Granted – it’s something, but not such a big deal when you consider that it’s mainly cleaning up the mess which the construction industry made in the first place. However, in terms of land use and preservation of the coastal environment, I’d say we are the worst in Europe (with apologies to the Prime Minister who is always going on about how we are to be the “best in Europe”).
Practically, the whole coastal area of the island is built up, leaving the public hardly any space to exercise their right of access to the foreshore. Now the final blow comes by way of what the government is touting as “Malta’s most exclusive project” – The White Rocks project.
According to the bumph this is to consist of upmarket real estate development, including five-star hotels and luxury units. Now, how many times have we heard that before? And just how many “luxury, state-of-the-art” developments now languish unoccupied or appear hopelessly dated marring our surroundings forever?
Sandro Chetcuti – the president of the Malta Development Association and the ultimate arbiter of good taste conceded that “The project must not be bombastic. It should not include towers and preferably building height should not rise above the Coast Road.” The lack of towers seems to be the only criterion necessary for Chetcuti. The footprint of the project, the aesthetics of it, public access to the foreshore don’t enter the equation.
The truth of the matter is that this is not some ground-breaking iconic project. It is not even a greatly creative project. It’s a life-support project to the construction industry which seems to be a special needs sector needing constant propping up by the government and our taxes (biex ir-rota ddur). And so it goes. Another day, another land grab.
cl.bon@nextgen.net.mt