When Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed his government's vision to turn Gozo into an eco-island, he was putting forward a challenging proposal for our lovely mythical island.
The first reactions to this vision were somewhat cold and reserved, with more questions popping up than answers. What does the concept of an eco-island really mean? Does it mean that all of a sudden development in Gozo has to come to a standstill? Is Gozo going to be protected like a crib in a glass globe? Does it mean that our surrounding sea will be infested with wind farms? Or that our rooftops will become one whole mass of solar panels?
But the most pertinent question was, why did the Prime Minister choose Gozo for this ambitious programme of change? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that Gozo is still endowed with environmental assets, which provide basic foundations upon which this project may be built.
There is also the reality that Gozo has always been lagging behind the national average threshold in the social and economic development; thus offering proof that the island needs to be looked upon from a different perspective to its larger sister island.
Therefore, turning Gozo into an eco-island does not only translate into alternative energy, recycling, and cutting down on car use. The vision signifies making Gozo a place where islanders live, work and prosper within a strong, thriving, healthy community that is capable of encouraging and attracting investment and tourism in a sustainable way.
This transformation programme can be brought about only by action. Although the government is the main promoter, financier and leader in this project, success depends on the participation of all those who live, work, invest and visit Gozo. The civil, public and the non-government organisations have an inherent responsibility to lead in this vision.
We are often critical of the ecological upkeep of the Gozitan product and in the process tend to forget our achievements in this respect.
The closure of the landfill in Xagħra and the rehabilitation programme there, as well as the wastewater treatment in Xewkija, are two clear projects that were forerunners to the eco-island project.
The eco-island programme should include similar projects to complement further the island's eco credentials. The Blue Flagged status of some of our beaches, the transformation of the haphazardly-dug quarries into attractions, the rebuilding and maintenance of the rubble walls that dot our rural environs, the constant upkeep of our picturesque countryside, the rehabilitation of our heritage sites like Ġgantija Temples, the Citadel and Dwejra. All these will slowly but surely present another tourism opportunity to promote Gozo as an eco-tourism destination.
Even the private sector can spearhead an eco mentality. It already set an example, maybe unwittingly, with the conversion of derelict farms into farmhouse-type accommodation.
In this regard the private establishments can lead in alternative energy and energy saving measures.
Through appropriate financial aid they can help in waste separation and waste management. The private entrepreneur can also venture in the relatively new market of agro-tourism, given a policy on the subject by the Malta Tourism Authority, thus creating another niche compatible with the Gozitan characteristics.
The private sector can further invest in the business by offering added facilities and can even tap new markets where health and convalescence are concerned.
There can be a thousand and one initiatives that may be taken up under the eco-island umbrella. These can vary from infrastructural projects that need millions of euros to materialise to the simple, clean and well maintained Gozitan environment.
At the end of the day the eco-island project is simply the way all of us, Gozitans, Maltese and foreigners alike dream of seeing Gozo - as an organised, well kept island, with so many beautiful resources to see, explore, and enjoy.
We want to see Gozo develop, share prosperity and opportunity, in a sustainable manner, in order to respond to global economic forces that will keep on affecting our small island.
The eco-island concept is a golden opportunity for Gozo.
It is doable by valuing the talents, enterprise and inspiration of all hardworking islanders.
Mr Muscat is secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association.