In the last two decades, public interest in physical recreation pursuits has increased and diversified tremendously, with the Ramblers’ Association Malta intensifying its rambling activities with three rambles per week of the length and breadth of the Maltese archipelago.
This has naturally led to the necessity for greater access to coastal areas, some of which are still inaccessible, as well as treks to remote zones previously unexplored, such as the historical and panoramic promontory of Ras il-Wardija in Gozo.
The increasing hostility that is expressed by unauthorised signs of every description and the pseudo-farmers, stray dogs and illegally blocked pathways, which for centuries were trodden upon by our forefathers, have been the cause of unnecessary friction, because our island State is the only European country that has not yet issued a definitive map of itself.
The intention of such a policy is to provide the government and the local councils with official walkways in the Maltese islands – a national system of walking tracks with legal access only to hikers, farmers and horses.
The primary purpose of established walkways is to facilitate public access across land for walkers and, where conditions permit, activities such as horse riding and mountain biking may be allowed.
Since its foundation 11 years ago, the Ramblers’ Association has met several times with the competent authorities, urging them to come in line with other European countries and initiate this policy of walkways. All our hopes and clamouring for a definitive map, after some feeble attempts by the ministry concerned, have been shattered. We only hope the newly constituted Lands Authority will get down to the task and hand us our vade mecum – our Holy Grail.
The Ramblers’ Association was specifically set up to encourage physical recreation and a healthy lifestyle through walks in our enchanting countryside
We are now facing a new menace of alarming proportions as hordes of motorcyclists swoop treacherously on the garigue home of the Maltese honeybee and our protected valleys, wreaking havoc upon our rich flora and fauna with impunity, disturbing the peace and quiet of our benign countryside, especially in the northwest of Malta.
They are permanently damaging our beautiful Ġnejna area, rural Mtaħleb and Baħrija, to name but a few, as well as coastal zones with preference to Mellieħa at Mġiebaħ and Selmun. Once again we are bracing ourselves for a winter of discontent.
The vulnerability of garigue vegetation to off-road motorcycling and, in particular, the probable longevity of these impacts, are well-established.
On a small island, this perennial damage is anathema.
The objective of this article is to give an overview of some of the more important negative aspects of off-roading on the vegetation, ecology and dynamics of our fragile ecosystem. Off-roading occurs mainly in the bucolic northwest of the island, an area well-known for wilderness rambling, where environmental reverence should be strictly observed.
Apart from the ecological damage, the high-intensity sounds of massed off-road motorcycles severely damage the acoustic sensitivity of an area.
As more expats and foreign ramblers swell the local rambling clan, the Ramblers ‘ Association is calling for more walkways, offering more opportunities for outdoor recreation. Many are close to urban centres and popular for family outings in the rambling season, but the illegal dispossession of public land is depriving them of enjoying the countryside and coastal zones.
In this respect, it is with great satisfaction that we acknowledge the in-depth reports in The Sunday Times of Malta on the Delimara shambles and the immediate response of the Planning Authority to give this fantastic zone back to the people.
With regard to family rambles, I feel that not all local councils are active enough in preparing heritage trails in their localities.
The Ramblers’ Association was specifically set up to encourage physical recreation and a healthy lifestyle through walks in our enchanting countryside and coastal zones with a full programme of walks.
In an island where obesity is a national malaise, where we are maliciously dubbed the obesity capital of Europe, our mission assumes greater significance. In the spirit of co-operation, we urge the government to give its full support by expanding the rambling possibilities in our islands.
This can be achieved by the Lands Authority retrieving leased public land with historical remains, in consultation with green NGOs.
This is the way forward.
Lino Bugeja is honorary president of the Ramblers’ Association.