Vandals broke into Xrobb L-Ghagin Park this weekend and uprooted and stole over 170 newly planted trees including those planted by VIPs just one month ago as part of Nature Trust's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The NGO said that the trees which were stolen include planted by the President, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
Furthermore the vandals broke into a store-room in the same park and stole various equipment including tools, wheel burrows and pipes used for the maintenance of the trees.
"Nature Trust (Malta) condemns such cowardly acts. Such incidents go against society since this park is for the general public to enjoy and for future generations to inherit. The NGO will now be planting again all trees taken. This will be carried out after the hot summer months to ensure a higher survival rate," it said.
Xrobb L-Ghagin Park is opened everyday from 8am till noon on weekdays and from 8 am till 5 pm on weekends and public holidays. Since the first year of opening in 8 April 2011, over 5000 students have visited the park to learn about the environment and sustainable development.
Over 3,000 visitors have been enjoying the park in weekends.
Only two months ago another NTM managed site – The Wied Ghollieqa Nature Reserve witnessed a vandal attack with the culprits spraying graffiti on restored rubble walls and overturning a few in the process.
The NGO appealed to anyone having information on the recent vandal attack to contact the polic . The NGO is now planning to install more CCTV at Xrobb L-Ghagin Park. A police report has also been filed