EU Commissioner encourages Buskett team to apply for award

The Buskett LIFE+ Project caught the attention of EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella who urged Malta to apply for an award that would recognise the work done to promote the Buskett/Girgenti Natura 2000 site which not only has a rich history, but is home to several natural habitats. Veronica Stivala reports.

 EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella was so impressed by the work being done to improve the natural and structural environment at Buskett that he encouraged the team to apply for the Natura 2000 Award.

“I encourage more to apply for EU funds in such projects because valid projects such as these deserve not only attention, but valuable funds. There is also the Natura 2000 Award, which is open to all Europeans, but it would be great if Malta applied.”

The Natura 2000 Award is pan-European and recognises excellence in the management of Natura 2000 sites and conservation achievements. It showcases the added value such work gives to local economies and helps to increase public awareness of Europe’s valuable natural heritage. Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the EU, covering animal habitats and species, including birds and marine sites.

The Buskett/Girgenti area has been designated a Natura 2000 site because it is a large valley system which supports several habitat types of high conservation value.

Commissioner Vella recently visited this area to view the work being carried out both on the natural life as well as the infrastructure of the area. The work is part of the ongoing Life Saving Buskett Project: Soil stabilisation measures to protect Annex I habitats in Buskett-Girgenti Natura 2000 site.

The project aims at protecting the habitats of EU importance composed of mature trees at Buskett along the watercourse and the banks of Wied il-Luq (Poplar Valley).

Mr Vella and his delegation were accompanied by the Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change. The group of visitors were first given a presentation on the historical background of the Buskett Woodland by Operations Manager Emanuel Portelli, followed by an overview of the LIFE Saving Buskett Project by Project Manager Mark Causon.

Mr Portelli walked the delegation through the present legal protection laws and legal notices and then gave them highlights of the historical aspect of Buskett. Noteworthy were his points about how the area was originally set up as hunting grounds for the Knights of the Order of St John. He backed up his presentation with references to archaic documents dating back to the 16^th century which revealed interesting information about, for example, fig and olive trees, vines and other fruit trees that formed part of the original plants that grew there.

Dr Causon then underlined the importance of soil stabilisation measures. He said: “These will combat soil erosion and loss of soil which will result in further deterioration and damage to the existent trees.” He then went on to explain the mitigation measures being taken, namely the repair of the rubble walls and the installation of geotextile material to stabilise the slopes.”

Speaking after the presentation, Commissioner Vella noted how impressed and pleased he was with the initiatives Malta is taking to protect its natural environment. He said:

“The Natura 2000 project is very important to the EU Commission and for all of Europe. There are various projects of diverse dimensions such as the Natura 2000 focusing on the sea, land, environmental preservation. The Life Saving Buskett is not the sole project we have, but is one of a number of projects. The work is progressing healthily and it is great to see so much interest in the project. The fact that Malta is applying for these funds shows its strong awareness about nature, which is definitely encouraging.”

The visitors were then taken on a tour through the areas of note in Buskett, by Dr Causon and Mr Portelli who pointed out details and work being done.

Life Saving Buskett is a project part financed by the European Union Life+ Programme 2007-2013 under the Nature and Biodiversity Priority Area, being implemented by the PARKS department within the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change. It was officially launched in August 2014 and will run until May 2018.