Ambjent Malta has conducted a stocktaking exercise of all the trees and shrubs which were planted during 2020, and found that these amount to 21,808: an increase on years 2018 and 2019, when 10,185 and 20,286 were planted respectively.
This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia who explained that these indigenous trees and shrubs have been planted in particular areas that are administered by Ambjent Malta, with the aim of further amplifying and restoring our country’s natural habitat.
These sites include Buskett, Fort Madliena, Salina Park, the Kavallerizza in Marsaxlokk, Swatar and Aħrax tal-Mellieħa amongst others.
“The government is shifting towards greener and more sustainable planning. The climate change challenge and the need to improve quality of life and protect our natural environment is more important than ever. This year, we saw the first green walls in our country, more urban greening projects in our localities, and more incentives for green projects: a revolution in planning in Malta, but also further investment in our natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations,” Minister Farrugia said.
The indigenous tree species which were planted include: Strawberry tree, Southern Nettle tree, Carob tree, Judas tree, Dwarf Fan palm, Azarole Italian Cypress, Phoenician Juniper, Bay laurel, White mulberry, Black mulberry, Myrtle, Olive trees, Mock privet, Brutia pine, Hybrid mastic tree, White poplar, Almond, Pomegranate, Wild pear, Holm oak, Mediterranean buckthorn, White willow, Dwarf elder, Spanish broom, African tamarisk, Sandarac, Hoary elm, Laurustinus and Chaste tree.
The indigenous shrub species which were planted include: Bean trefoil tree, Mediterranean Asparagus, Onion weed, Spiny caper, Maltese rock-centaury, Tree spurge, Ivy, Sicilian silver ragwort, Jointed rush, Golden samphire, Southern tea tree, Crystal ice plant, Oleander, African wolfbane, Great Sage, Wall rue, Common sage, Rosemary, Lavender cotton, Olive-leaved germander, Water germander and Mediterranean thyme.
Ambjent Malta continues to take care of the planted trees and shrubs while also monitoring the area for the following three to five years to ensure that they are introduced correctly.
