PD applies for ecologically important valley to be declared Public Domain

Partit Demokratiku (PD) MPs Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia have applied to have the area known as Ta’ l-Għeriexem and Il-Marg declared an area of Public Domain.

This area boasts high-quality agricultural land and is situated in the valley between Mtarfa and Rabat. It is already scheduled as an Area of High Landscape Value (AHLV) and has a Seracenic cemetery of high archaeological value that forms part of the Roman Domus.

This valley is a fertile one used for agricultural purposes. It has deep soil, three freshwater springs, fruit trees, orchards and vineyards. Moreover, the area has one of largest fig trees (Bajtar ta’ San Ġwann) to be found on the Islands.

This valley forms part of the largest catchment areas in Malta; the Marsa catchment area.

The watercourse at Ta’ lGħeriexiem is known as Wied ta’ Ġnien Ħira. The valley flows downstream towards Wied talĦemsija, Wied ta’ Ċampra, Wied ta’ Rmiedi and Wied Inċita. It carries on towards Wied is-Sewda in Attard and Qormi, and outflows in Marsa.

Natural springs feed the watercourses from the blue clay’s perched aquifer. The most wellknown is the Ta’ l-Għeriexem fountain which is found along Triq Għeriexem Road and which was erected by the Knights of St John.

This is an important archaeological area. In fact, the Planning Authority itself is proposing the area’s scheduling. Moreover, the name ‘Għeriexem’ (plural of għarix) was a fiefdom in medieval times.

PD says that valley systems are an integral part of our landscape, agriculture, ecology, soil processes and hydrology.

“It is unfortunate that they are continuously under threat by fragmentation and degradation.”

The party has invited the public to “join [it] in protecting and preserving the little left of our island that has not already been covered in concrete.”