Spring in Gozo
Published on www.maltastar.com on Saturday 5th April, 2008 by Dr. Justyne Caruana.
At this time of the year, Gozo is really at its best with springtime wafting in the air. I really feel flattered when I hear positive comments about my beloved island but then I hit the ground when the comments are negative. When you think about it however, the negative comments are well deserved because we Gozitans tend to be masochistic sometimes.
Our island is enriched with unique characteristics and places however there is a tendency to spoil. Just think about Hondoq ir-Rummien, Ramla l-Hamra, Imgarr ix-Xini and now Dwejra. All these places have all been subjected to ‘attacks’ in the name of development and progress. However, just look and consider at what happened in each and every case. All proposed developments are of mammoth stature and frankly the way seemed paved all along for the developments to go through. This contrasts greatly with minor developments which the man in the street regularly files for approval.
Now that MEPA falls under the responsibility of the Prim Minister, I really hope that we do see some changes. Prior to election we heard a lot of sweet talk regarding environmental issues in Gozo so we will have to wait and see. However, considering that we already waited during the previous legislature for something to happen or for someone from Government side to lift a finger in favour of Gozo’s environment, the prospects are very slim. Probably we will be waiting for years again in vain with Gozo’s environmental problems remaining status quo.
At this time of the year, Gozo is really at its best with springtime wafting in the air. I really feel flattered when I hear positive comments about my beloved island but then I hit the ground when the comments are negative. When you think about it however, the negative comments are well deserved because we Gozitans tend to be masochistic sometimes.
Our island is enriched with unique characteristics and places however there is a tendency to spoil. Just think about Hondoq ir-Rummien, Ramla l-Hamra, Imgarr ix-Xini and now Dwejra. All these places have all been subjected to ‘attacks’ in the name of development and progress. However, just look and consider at what happened in each and every case. All proposed developments are of mammoth stature and frankly the way seemed paved all along for the developments to go through. This contrasts greatly with minor developments which the man in the street regularly files for approval.
Now that MEPA falls under the responsibility of the Prim Minister, I really hope that we do see some changes. Prior to election we heard a lot of sweet talk regarding environmental issues in Gozo so we will have to wait and see. However, considering that we already waited during the previous legislature for something to happen or for someone from Government side to lift a finger in favour of Gozo’s environment, the prospects are very slim. Probably we will be waiting for years again in vain with Gozo’s environmental problems remaining status quo.
posted by Hondoq at
9:29 AM
