The waste dumped in Wied Blandun in Fgura shows a “lack of civic responsibility”, the Environment Ministry has lamented.
However, the ministry, responsible for the valley, did not outline when the area would be cleaned up. Instead it said a “more holistic plan was required to be drawn up for the area, which requires extensive planning in terms of regeneration, upkeep and accessibility”.
Photos of the site show illegally dumped cartons, plastic bottles, bags and even an iron.
A number of syringes also lie strewn on the ground.
Mario Fava, president of the Local Councils' Association complained of the discarded syringes and said people had voiced concern multiple times. “I understand that drug users are given syringes for free for health and safety reasons.
“However, they should be urged to ensure that the syringes are disposed in a responsible manner,” Mr Fava added.
The issue will remain evident until there is an effective change in mentality
An Environment Ministry spokesman insisted that while “every effort is being made to clean the areas, the issue will remain evident until there is an effective change in mentality”.
“It is every citizen’s moral and ethical responsibility not just to deplore these illegal actions but to stop contributing,” he said. Around 200 trees were planted in Wied Blandun in November 2017, the spokesman added.
He also pointed out that a task force had been set up to monitor and remove litter and fly-tipped material from a number of priority valleys across the island.
Thirty-seven valleys were identified with local councils, the spokesman said. The task force then implemented works in 10 valleys and watercourses, covering a stretch of eight kilometres.
The task force committee is led by the PARKS Directorate, Ministry for the Environmental, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Regional Committee for Local Councils and the Cleansing Services Directorate.
Wied Blandun is littered with cardboard, household waste and used syringes.