Trees in an afforestation project at Ta’ Pinu that were left to wither and die  may soon get some much-needed water, a spokesman for the Gozo Ministry has said.

Trees in an afforestation project at Ta’ Pinu were left to wither and die.

Launched in December 2015, the Ġnien il-Paċi (Peace Garden), as it is called, is located at Għammar Hill, which overlooks the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary.

The garden was inaugurated by then Gozo Minister Anton Refalo as part of an EU-funded project.

In a letter to the Times of Malta, the Gozo Ministry spokesman said the trees were planted on private property managed by the Ta’ Pinu shrine.

All but a handful of the 50 trees planted have survived, he said.

Environment Minister José Herrera last week told Times of Malta his ministry would offer assistance to the Gozo Ministry.

Dr Herrera told the Times of Malta the project did not fall under his remit, adding that the trees had probably died due to a lack of water.

He said he had instructed his ministry to communicate with their Gozitan counterparts to offer “technical advice and guidance” in an attempt to restore the afforestation project.

The latter was a very good idea, he said, but sometimes such projects were difficult to maintain.

The Gozo Ministry was quick to clarify Dr Herrera’s comments, distancing itself from the project.

Talks to construct a water reservoir

The ministry spokesman said no management agreement was in place to maintain the trees. However, talks had started with the owners to have a water reservoir constructed and an irrigation system installed.

Trees have been a hot topic this summer, with many slated for uprooting as part of large infrastructural projects. Dr Herrera said, however, this year would be a record one for tree planting, mentioning a figure of 12,000.

The government has also just established tougher fines for the destruction of certain trees which in some cases are as high as €85,000. The list of protected species has also been increased by 24, to reach 53.

The new regulations also list a set of indigenous trees that must be protected and includes a schedule featuring invasive or alien species.