The Majjistral Park Federation expressed disbelief at Monday's vote on the extension of hunting hours at the park, with the main political parties agreeing that further consultation was necessary.
Following a debate on a Partit Demokratiku motion for the extension to be reversed, the government agreed to a watered-down amendment put forward by the Nationalist Party.
The amendment called for consultation with all stakeholders following a controversial decision, which allowed hunters and trappers to use the park for extended periods of time.
Read: Extended hunting, trapping times at Majjistral Park
Nature Trust Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa and the Gaia Foundation, which formed the federation, noted that Majjistral’s board had unanimously advised the government against extending the hours as this went against the very reason for the park’s existence.
The federation, which manages the park, had hoped MPs would find it within their conscience to vote for a reversal of the extension. But it was clear from Monday's debate that both leading parties intended to continue destroying the environment rather than protect it.
The situation was rendered even more absurd now that government had approved long awaited funds to improve park facilities.
The federation, together with the board, will be working to implement improvements that will, in essence, be enjoyed mainly by hunters and trappers
“The federation, together with the board, will be working to implement improvements that will, in essence, be enjoyed mainly by hunters and trappers.”
Hunting and trapping were already allowed till 10am and this was an equitable compromise found in 2013. Extending these hours meant the public was being denied the freedom to enjoy the park, one of the few open spaces left in Malta on most days in autumn and whenever the hunting season was open, it said.
It added that the park had basically become a glorified hunting and trapping ground further extending the hunting grounds of l-Aħrax and Miżieb.
The federation further expressed its disappointment at Environment
Minister Jose Herrera who said he had not received complaints about the situation from the public.
“There have been over 4,000 petitions sent to Minister Herrera personally on his email in the last few weeks asking him to revoke the new hours, a number that grows daily and which cannot be denied,” it said.
Monday’s debacle in Parliament has further undermined the potential of the park to be a showcase for local biodiversity and a public space for the relaxed appreciation and study of nature, the federation said.
“Until there can be agreement that votes are less important than the natural environment, destruction of the natural heritage will continue and with it any hopes of protecting one of the only open spaces left on the island,” the federation said.