The environment NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar has welcomed an announcement by Mepa that it will not permit the uprooting of Ficus trees at It-Tokk in Gozo.

The FAA said the decision was announced by a Mepa representative in court during the hearing of a case instituted by the FAA seeking a court order to stop the uprooting.  

Victoria Local Council had intended to uproot the Ficus trees and replace them with shrubs in planters, the FAA explained.  

"FAA’s legal step was intended to signal that it is prepared to take strong action to prevent further destruction of trees in Malta and Gozo. FAA had maintained that the trees should be retained due to the increasing rate of air pollution in Victoria, since trees absorb air pollutants reducing the rate of asthma, heart disease, and even dementia. These trees are over seventy years old and therefore supposedly protected by law. They form an historic part of Republic Square, providing cool shade and protecting users of the square from the risk of skin cancer," the NGO said. 

In order to encourage the planting and care of trees, FAA is organising a seminar on care of trees in the community along with the President’s Hub for Ethnobotanical Research.

The seminar is to be presented by Ian Lansely, a consultant arborist whose work has involved him in tree management at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court and the Tower Of London. Antoine Gatt , a professional landscape architect and lecturer, will talk about the importance of green infrastructure especially in urban environments. 

The seminar will be held on Wednesday at 6.30pm at, San Anton Palace, Attard. Another seminar will be held on Thursday at 5pm at the Government Experimental Farm, Mgarr Road, Xewkija Gozo. Registration is required at www.faa.org.mt or on 21310270.