Last Saturday, I took part in a hike at Chadwick Lakes. It was organised by ADŻ – Malta Green Youth, one of several outdoor activities it holds.

Although the area is a relatively green one, cut off from traffic and noisy urban areas, we could not believe our eyes when we saw the amount of litter all around. This included several plastic bags, shoes, shotgun shells, broken glass and, believe it or not, half an auto AC system and even a sofa!

Once again, another place where one can enjoy some time away from traffic and city life is being turned into a rubbish dump. Apart from being an eyesore, this form of dumping is also dangerous because it causes water and soil contamination, which enters the food chain, thus, not only poisoning the natural habitat and animals living there but also people, who eat the agrarian products growing in these areas.

Other items dumped there, such as broken glass, could constitute a direct hazard because people passing by could easily injure themselves.

What amazed us was that at no point in our long hike did we see a single trash can.

Are the litter bugs aware of the sort of damage their irresponsible behaviour is doing?

Are the local council and the Government aware of this environmental mess? If they are, then what are they going to do in order to prevent this sad state of affairs from continuing?