One year on since its launch, the afforestation and restoration ecology project at the site known as Taħt Chambray in Gozo is taking shape and the tree planting has been completed.

To mark this milestone, HSBC Gozo staff and their families planted the last trees needed to complete an area of 11,000 square metres designated for afforestation, which includes 2,300 saplings and shrubs. The Mġarr harbour grove will cover 45,000 square metres.

The Taħt Chambray project, part of the Gozo Ministry’s Eco-Gozo action plan, will cost about €200,000 and it is being equally financed by the HSBC Malta Foundation and the government.

It is one of the four sites designated as part of the afforestation and restoration ecology initiatives under the Eco-Gozo action plan.

HSBC Malta Foundation chairman Catherine Gonzi described the eco-Gozo project as a small but important step in helping to achieve a stable and healthy environment for the next generation of Gozitans.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono explained that the newly planted trees were all grown at the Dawwara Nursery that fell within the ministry’s agriculture branch.

“This project will also allow for the achievement of the Ministry for Gozo’s targets that relate to an increase of at least one per cent of the tree cover around Gozo,” she said.

HSBC has been a supporter of afforestation projects since it started its Malta operation. So far, over 25,000 trees were planted in designated areas such as Mellieħa and Delimara by the bank as part of this national programme.