I refer to the news item Bid To Open Scenic Site For Public (August 6).

All Maltese who have followed this saga must have found painfully funny, to say the least, the statement by the Land Department that they have been aware of the anomalous Simblija situation for only “around a year”. The Ramblers’ Association, and others, have been publicly highlighting this abuse for years. People were already being shooed away from the site a mere three months after the site was inaugurated in 2003; and this has been going on uninterruptedly ever since.

Land are perhaps referring to a written communication by a rambler, dated June 30, 2011, sent to the Land Department, Transport Malta, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Malta Tourist Association, drawing attention to the illegal signage and other irregularities on the site. I am told that none of these entities, repeat none, ever got back to acknowledge receipt, never mind to say that the matter was being given attention.

The article fails to mention that during the refurbishment process those who now block access to the site had two new garages built out of public funds so that the site itself could be vacated.

It would be a matter of public interest to know whether it is normal practice for the government to be so accommodating to farmers leasing public land. I therefore find any attempts to justify the threats and other actions perpetrated by this family very disturbing.

The Ramblers’ Association rightly feels that 10 years of inactivity are a shame on the authorities and clearly demonstrate the need of a framework which gives the public a platform where they can report such abuses and get feedback on developments.

The government should make reporting environmental abuses a free and simple process. At present, concerned individuals have to go out of their way, and even incur expenses, to notify the competent government entities when, incredibly enough, these even have officers appointed specifically to curb such abuses.

The Ramblers have already expressed their readiness to contribute to the creation of such a set-up and to participate in the running of the same.

The public’s only wish is that all Maltese and foreigners are allowed to enjoy visiting such places in full respect of the environment as well as of the rights of those who live in the vicinity.