In March 2006, a high-level task force was set up to outline a national strategy for sustainable development with special focus on the natural environment “as a source of well-being in a healthy lifestyle”.

Its comprehensive report, described by the green NGOs as the holy grail of the natural environment, was approved by acclamation at a national conference on April 26, 2006.

Sadly, its recommendations, intended to serve as a basis for a more accessible environment and to return public land illegally clawed away, fizzled out like a damp squib and all our pious hopes were frozen in the ice of indifference and laissez-faire.

The report strongly recommended that “the enjoyment of coastal zones depends on accessibility. Some areas are not accessible due to land ownership issues... Measures need to be taken so that access to the coastal zone is possible whether the land is private or owned by government”.

It also noted that places that combine leisure with the enjoyment of the natural environment could be a source of improved health and that therefore “accessibility to these places should be improved. Due to ownership issues, the enjoyment of the countryside is seriously impaired with negative impacts also impinging on the tourism industry”.

Hopefully, for the first time, both parties will do more than pay lip service to the natural environment

This document, echoing the words of warning by anthropologist Jeremy Boissevain and renowned international architect Quentin Hughes, strongly condemned noise and light pollution, suggesting a long-term noise control strategy.

On environmental issues, the report replicated the recommendations made by the Ramblers Association in March 2005, outlining a White Paper for better accessibility to the countryside and coastal zones.

The strategy, which was never implemented, is now being resuscitated by the Public Domain Bill moved by the Opposition. Hopefully, for the first time, both parties will do more than pay lip service to the natural environment.

A Mediterranean environmental report, which was published jointly some years ago by the Mediterranean Action Plan and the European Environmental Agency, highlights the grave environmental issues of the south of Malta while pointing out that “43 per cent of Malta’s 190km coastline is heavily utilised with a built-up area comprising 24 per cent of the coast”.

The detailed report, covering the whole Mediterranean basin, reiterates the association’s assertion that unless there is political will to enforce current and future updated legislation this situation will not improve. In other words, politicians should also be accountable for sins of omission.

Through rambler friends from New Zealand I had the opportunity to study at some length the New Zealand walkways policy formally adopted in April 1995.

This policy is based on the fact that public interest in recreational pursuits has increased and diversified. This required greater access in coastal, remote as well as urban areas.

Walking opportunities in New Zealand already existed on land administered by the Department of Land, where an extensive track system was developed and maintained, so development of new walkways over private land became a priority as access to these areas would provide the greatest benefit in terms of increasing public access to countryside “outside Crown ownership”.

It specially addresses under the Walkways Act provisions on coordinating and encouraging the development of a national system of walking tracks in conjunction with private landowners, local and regional authorities and government agencies; provision of legal access to and over tracks by written agreement with the land owner; protection of property rights in the establishment and management of walkways and identification and promotion of public use of tracks for walking where legal rights of access exist.

Regrettably, while such a vast country as New Zealand has clearly defined walking tracks all over its domain, tiny Malta, in spite of the Ramblers Association’s requests 10 years ago, for the government to publish a definitive map of the Maltese islands identifying which paths are public and which are private, has not yet seen the light of day.

The Ramblers Association, with its ever-increasing membership, a motley of ethnic group, of locals, expats, visitors and tourists, has grown in stature as visiting European ramblers have swollen the membership.

This vibrant green NGO is fully committed to preserve what is left of our countryside and coastal zones for future generations in the firm belief that a better quality of life will only be achieved through a healthy lifestyle of which rambling is a very important component.

Lino Bugeja is honorary president of the Ramblers Association

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