Friends of the Earth Malta has filed applications requesting protection for seven sites in terms of the Public Domain Act.
This law empowers citizens and NGOs to recommend land and property to be listed as ‘public domain’. Such land cannot be used for commercial reasons and the public must be guaranteed access.
The proposed sites are Comino, Fomm ir-Riħ, Ras ir-Raheb and Qlejgha, Il-Ballut tal-Wardija, Il-Ballut tal- Imġiebaħ (l/o Mellieħa), Is-Simblija (including Wied ir-Rum, Ta-Baldu and Wied Hazrun) and Has-Saptan extending to Wied Zembaq.
The environment NGO said nature is for everyone to experience and enjoy.
"We all need nature in our lives, and we are campaigning to ensure everyone has a right to access vibrant nature. Nature is invaluable in its own right – special places and species are unique and irreplaceable. They must not be sold off, privatised nor traded on any market."