Protected Trees Vandalised And Burnt As Area Set On Fire In Aħrax Nature Reserve
A number of protected trees were vandalised over the weekend in the Aħrax nature reserve, with a fire spreading after the wood was used for burning.
The fir (Żnuber) trees were first damaged and cut for firewood. After the fire was set up, it ended up spreading and resulted in more protected trees being burnt.
“This morning during the cleaning routine in the area of Aħrax in Mellieħa, we encountered damage that could have been catastrophic for the environment and the biodiversity the area embraces,” FKNK President Lucas Micallef told Lovin Malta.
“It is clear that some people cut some trunks of protected trees and burned them under the same trees. As a consequence, several trees were burnt, and this was completely extinguished upon the arrival of our volunteers on the scene,” Micallef explained.
“There are still many who want to enjoy open spaces but do not respect these spaces and the environment they contain,” he warned.
“We want strict surveillance in these designated sites of Aħrax and Miżieb, so that those who use and enjoy these spaces, would act responsibly and in turn embrace education and respect both towards the environment and even towards anyone who benefits from these areas.”
“We appeal to responsible authorities to take action before it is too late.”
This is not the first time it has happened, with a similar incident two years ago leading to a large portion of land getting burnt.
It seems that there is still not enough awareness of the fact that one cannot cut trees or light fires in nature reserves such as Aħrax and Miżieb.
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