Ruben Abela, structural projects manager at Heritage Malta, tells Ronald Cassar about a new initiative to promote Għar Dalam as a prime historical cave after it was declared a Natura 2000 site.
Heritage Malta has embarked on a plan to increase public awareness and appreciation of Għar Dalam and its environs after the cave was declared a Natura 2000 site.
One of the first initiatives is a community outreach project. The agency is inviting the public to participate in the project by coming forward with stories, memories and old photographs linked to the Għar Dalam area.
“Għar Dalam is one of 30 terrestrial sites in Malta which have been incorporated into the European Union Nature Conservation Framework known as Natura 2000.
“The presence of the endemic woodlouse (Armadillidium ghardalamensis) and a small population of lesser horse-shoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros) residing inside the cave have led to such listing,” says Ruben Abela, structural projects manager at Heritage Malta.
In December 2016, the Environment and Resources Authority had issued a conservation order under the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, which aims towards ensuring the protection of biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats within the site.
Heritage Malta had already been working towards this aim even before the conservation order was issued and has already fulfilled a number of actions identified through this conservation order.
The site is already complimented by a visitors’ centre which includes a large collection of animal skeleton bones which were discovered in the cave. The site was also very well documented by past researchers and curators.
Now the heritage organisation is seeking the assistance of the public in order to preserve the historical narrative.
“Heritage Malta is now seeking to gather the collective memory of the place from the community. This can be in the form of oral memories or documented material such as old photographs,” says Mr Abela.
“An open invitation to the local and neighbouring community is being made to share with our curator their memories of this site, not just the cave, but also its environs of Wied Dalam and Wied Żembaq.
“Oral memories will be recorded and possibly used as an upgraded visitors’ experience which is being planned for the area.”
Heritage Malta is being supported by the Birżebbuġa local council, which is acting as a contact point between the agency and the local community.
Those who would like to share their stories or have friends or relatives who would like to share theirs or if you have other visual documentation such as photographs or drawings, get in touch with Heritage Malta by calling at Għar Dalam on 2165 7419 or by sending an e-mail to info@heritagemalta.org. One can also contact the Birżebbuġa local council on 2165 0165.
Għar Dalam opens daily from 9am till 5pm, with the last admission at 4.30pm. For more information about Heritage Malta and its museums and sites, visit website www.heritagemalta.org.
