Vandals Charged With Defacing Għar Lapsi Protected Area In Unprecedented Case
For the first time ever, two individuals have just been charged after the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) found that they had defaced a Natura2000 site in Għar Lapsi.
In an unprecedented case, close monitoring of an area led to Malta’s police proceeding to issue charges against two individuals.
This came after the Malta Rangers Unit (MRU) had been monitoring Għar Lapsi in a collaboration with 7R Lifestyle Malta to assist the cleanup group to create a change in behaviour of the people regularly littering the area for many years.
“We can all enjoy nature without leaving a trace. Any other behaviour is not accepted, we should all care for a clean environment,” the Malta Rangers Unit said on social media.
“The monitoring has now resulted in a first case where EPU has proceeded to issue charges against two individuals. After the report, together with clear evidence, was sent to EPU they acted swiftly on the matter,” the MRU said.
“The two individuals were documented by the Rangers when seen defacing the area in broad daylight by emptying a still hot BBQ on top of a protected Mediterranean thyme plant as well as several cases of litter being scattered around the area,” it continued.
After leaving the area in a mess, the group then ended their stay by leaving a large bag of garbage on site.
The MRU has stressed how this kind of behaviour will result in three outcomes: the area looking bad, more rats, and wildlife and flora being negatively affected, thus resulting in less biodiversity.
As per SL549.40 in regards to littering of a protected area, the fine in court for such an offence would be between €300 and €1,000 per person.
The MRU thanked PS130 and the EPU Inspector for their work on this case. “It will have a great positive impact on the Għar Lapsi environment for sure,” it said.
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