Summer Transplanting Of Santa Luċija Trees Is In Breach Of Environment Authority’s Own Guidelines
Trees are currently being transplanted from Santa Luċija as part of an underground tunnels project but the process goes against the Environment and Resources Authority’s own guidelines.
ERA’s guidelines on works involving trees states that tree transplanting shall be carried out between autumn and early spring (October to March).
“Transplanting after the spring growth flush and through summer shall be avoided altogether particularly for deciduous trees due to water stress and since the plant will likely not recuperate from the transplanting,” the guidelines state.
It states that exceptions to this timing may arise when there are hazards to the trees themselves, people, vehicles or buildings or other cases as determined and approved through an ERA permit.
Lovin Malta has contacted ERA to ask whether they will be investigating this apparent breach in their own guidelines.
The project, which will see two underground tunnels constructed between Tal-Barrani Road and Addolorata Hill, is intended to ease traffic congestion in one of Malta’s major hotspots.
A visual representation of the planned project at Santa Luċija
Although it was granted a permit back in September, controversy over it only flared up in recent weeks after people spotted several trees being cut down, including several in a public jogging track that was only launched two years ago.
In total, the project involves the felling of 292 trees and the transplantation of a further 254, as well as the compensatory planting of 757 new trees at specified sites in the wider region.
Cover photo: Left: A tree being transplanted from Santa Luċija (Photo: Santa Luċija local council); Right: People at a vigil for the uprooted trees
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