The Association for Hunting & Conservation – Mellieħa (GħKNK Mellieħa) strongly condemned the vandalism at Foresta 2000, as well as the ongoing vandalism at L-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa in afforested areas.

In a statement the association said hunters and trappers were the pioneers of tree planting and would never accept dirty tactics or unfounded accusations to tarnish responsible hunters and trappers.

Association members actively participated in an environment conservation programme, which included tree planting and pruning, the building and restoration of rubble walls, restoration of corbelled huts (giren) and the collection of illegally dumped rubbish.

The organisation said it planted a number of trees each year, including 200 this year. These trees were vandalized a number of times, but, unfortunately, these vandal acts have not been put under the media spotlight.

The GħKNK Mellieħa said it had also offered BirdLife Malta to participate on a voluntary basis in the Foresta 2000 project in 2003.

“We regret to state that the reply from BirdLife was that all societies in Mellieħa were welcome, except the hunters’ organisation,” they said.

“Whilst appealing to the police to increase their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, we urge the Mellieħa council to take all necessary steps to ensure that these acts are not repeated,” the GħKNK said.