Environment groups and citizens concerned that the government was not fulfilling its obligations to defend their right to a healthy environment were being invited to raise their voices in a protest being organised by 12 NGOs outside City Gate in Valletta next Saturday at 10.30am.

The protest march will demand that government refrains from launching a series of policies currently under formulation by Mepa as these would bring widespread destruction of the countryside and further reduce open spaces.

High-rise buildings and new hotel heights would increase traffic, restricting residents’ light and air, reclamation schemes would obliterate more coastline and commercial activity would be introduced in residential areas, endangering the quality of life and health of the citizen.

Twelve organisations - Birdlife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien għal-Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Greenhouse Malta, Malta Organic Agricultural Movement, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Ramblers Association of Malta, Y4TE, Why Not?, together with several local residents’ associations and supported by Tribali, will insist that the government fulfils its obligations to ”protect Malta’s landscape and its natural and cultural heritage” as laid down by the overriding principles of the Constitution.

The NGOs expressed concern that, where building regulations existed, they continued to be flouted, as happened recently with the approval of the 15 floor high-rise scheme at Mistra Ridge.

Moreover, some 7,000 building illegalities permitted during the previous administration were to be condoned or regularised.

The NGOs stated that the situation of abuse in planning and misuse of land spanned two governments where for financial gain and for political expediency, Malta’s beautiful Mediterranean landscapes and unique architectural qualities were sacrificed to speculation.