The government is sensitive to the environment, the Infrastructure Minister stressed on Saturday, as a number of carob trees were planted along the Mellieħa by-pass.

Thirteen out of 28 carob trees were planted along the zone, Ian Borg said, aware of the public backlash of trees which have been indiscriminately uprooted in recent months. 

Read: Balzan trees are gone before residents can have their say

"The government is sensitive to our environment, and those who think or try to give the impression that this is not so, are mistaken,” Dr Borg said.

The carob trees being planted along the bypass.

He explained that the ministry considers every project in a "holistic" way, which includes an environmental strategy for every project.

Dr Borg said there are some who criticise the widening of roads by saying that it is not helping in the fight against traffic and congestion but stressed this is one among several measures and solutions the ministry is working on.

He mentioned the introduction of more cycle lanes, reduced emissions, new pavements to improve accessibility for pedestrians, and landscaping which is "drastically"increasing the number of trees planted in roads.

He said that the Central Link Project is also looking at measures which have a positive impact on the environment, such as the planting of over 300 trees.

Times of Malta revealed last week that 200 mature trees will have to be uprooted to make way for the €55 million project intended to ease traffic congestion in Attard.

Read: Ministry reacts to report that 200 Rabat road trees face the chop

Environment Minister Jose Herrera, who also toured the site, expressed satisfaction that every day he understands better how many people are becoming environmentally conscious.

Dr Herrera explained how a few metres away from where he was standing, work was ongoing to remove around 2,500 cubic metres of litter, meaning 130 trucks of material.

The minister added that this year will see the implementation of the electoral promise of planting a tree for every newborn, and stressed that not only has government kept to this promise, but moreover, it is looking to plant around 12,000 indigenous trees.