BirdLife Malta signs management and operation agreement for Salina Nature Reserve

BirdLife Malta yesterday entered into an agreement with the government to take over the management and operation of the Salina Nature Park.

Back in 2016, a preliminary agreement was signed, with the final management agreement signed yesterday. Darryl Grima, BirdLife Malta president, said that the site was the largest nature reserve on the island. He said that the Salini area was currently being embellished, stressing that the site was an environmental site, a tourism site and an educational site.

He said that the nature and dynamics of the site required continuous attention and certain logistics, but expressed his confidence that BirdLife would find help from government.

BirdLife Malta hopes that through some minor changes, the site will attract flamingos and other such birds.

Grima spoke of the importance of preserving open spaces and his hope that the site would attract visitors to observe birds in their natural habitat.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg presided over the signing. Borg explained how inter-ministerial discussions had eventually led to this agreement.

Herrera said that the agreement was important for the implementation of the previously created management plan. He said that there was a holistic plan for the site which, while ensuring its protection through this agreement, would increase the value of this special conservation area.

He mentioned that a few months ago Parliament passed a law granting the environment minister power to issue guardianships such as this. He also spoke of increasing accessibility and the need to protect Malta’s natural heritage.