The post-war years accelerated environmental reforms all over the more advanced countries of Europe, updating archaic laws governing the countryside and coastal zones in order to meet the ever-increasing demands for more open spaces and the opportunity for outdoor pursuits. With the full support of international agencies and institutions, particularly the Council of Europe, environmental NGOs in Europe have been working on proposals to extend protection and accessibility to these zones as a birthright as well as "heritage landscape" that belongs to us all.
For various reasons, in Malta such an alert awakening of public consciousness took a long time to take off. While many European countries were extending "rambling areas" and adopting their "golden plan" by the statutory inclusion of open spaces in rural and urban areas , our town planners occasionally even obliterated existing open spaces to squeeze in more buildings. Little did they realise that living in a small country with its relentless crush of noise and its traffic, conflicts and demands makes the joys and peace of the countryside not a privilege but a God-given right and an expectation.
Preserving, protecting and reclaiming space, both urban and rural, so that people can breathe is an integral part of the challenges confronting urban civilisation today. Fortunately, after a prolonged period of inertia patiently sustained by a populace more bent on survival and economic well-being, a new generation of Maltese focusing on a better quality of life, but exposed to the ruthless illegal expropriation of land by squatters, pseudo-farmers and unscrupulous speculators are up in arms when faced with archaic laws that govern land tenure in Malta, particularly the unauthorised closure of paths and the inaccessibility to coastal zones. They are determined to press hard for an immediate updating of the law of the land in order to make good the deficiencies that have been revealed, deficiencies that have smitten the public consciousness for years.
With Malta's accession to the European Union this much-needed reform has taken the form of a national audit crying for constitutional changes with grave urgency and immediate effect because the real irony is that, as things stand, the drive by the Maltese pressure groups with Green credentials to recover that which is lost, is threatening that which still survives.
Unfortunately, the gradual sub-urbanisation of the landscape with indiscriminate development sprawling outwards, encroaching on pristine areas like Baħrija, Għarb and many others, is eating away our lovely countryside and no pseudo-country fair will ever restore that which is lost.
Those who can, buy land to fulfil their pastoral dream of a place in the countryside; an acceptable proposition in a democratic state but it is unacceptable to develop a gun post, a pill-box or a stable into a villa often surrounded with high walls obliterating scenic views and contributing to the "uglification" of the pastoral milieu.
In our small island, the most popular use of the countryside and coastal zone is quiet enjoyment. We crave for places where nothing much happens; nothing much changes.
The remote areas in our "wilderness rambling" act as a spiritual resource, which deserve to be preserved and protected at any cost.
In pursuance of its objectives, the Ramblers' Association of Malta, after studying various aspects relating to the Constitution, has submitted a petition to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Amendments recommending, inter alia, the inclusion in our Constitution measures compatible with the main aims of the association namely: (1) to identify and to ensure the maintenance of a network of public footpaths in the open countryside and (2) to establish and preserve the right of access to the countryside and coastal zone.
The Ramblers' Association urges the Select Committee to give serious consideration to these recommendations to bring us in line with other countries in the EU.
Mr Bugeja is president of the Ramblers' Association of Malta.