Rehabilitation works in the Mġarr Valley in Gozo are completed – More than 36,000 cubic metres of waste and rubble are removed from an area of 9,000 square metres
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri announced that rehabilitation works in the Mġarr Valley have been completed, with the aim of improving the flow of rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rains and protecting the natural environment and surrounding lands.
The work involved the removal of invasive vegetation from an area of 9,000 square meters, as well as the removal of more than 36,000 cubic meters of waste and debris that had accumulated in the valley and were obstructing the natural flow of water.
Minister Clint Camilleri stated that these works are part of the Ministry’s commitment to continue improving the management of valleys in Gozo, while protecting the natural environment and reducing the risks associated with heavy rainfall. He explained that “through these interventions in the Mġarr Valley, we are paying attention to both better management of rainwater and the protection of our natural environment. The removal of large quantities of rubble and waste, together with invasive vegetation, helps water to flow more efficiently and creates better conditions for the regeneration of natural habitats.”
The necessary permits and approvals were obtained from the competent authorities including the Planning Authority and the ERA among others, while both the contractor and the Project Management Team responsible for monitoring the works were selected following public calls for tenders. The permits and public documentation related to the calls for tenders can be consulted through the official systems of the respective authorities.
These interventions removed obstacles from watercourses to allow them to flow more efficiently and also removed invasive alien species. The works also aimed to improve the valley’s capacity to collect and retain rainwater, while reducing the accumulation of water caused by material blocking its paths.
These works are part of a wider programme of rehabilitation of the Gozitan valleys, which in addition to the Mġarr Valley also covered the Great Valley, the Marga Valley, the Marsalforn Valley (Ta’ Kittina), part of the Xħajma Valley, the Mġarr ix-Xini Valley and the Hell Valley. Some of these valleys had not been cleaned for decades. The works therefore link the ecological rehabilitation of the valleys with the preparation for winter and the protection of agricultural land and surrounding areas.
Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by saying that the Ministry will continue to work to strengthen the sustainable management of the island’s natural resources, with the aim of Gozo continuing to protect its environmental heritage while better preparing for current and future climate challenges.
Photo (MFG)
