Ħondoq ir-Rummien declared special conservation area

Ħondoq ir-Rummien, near Qala, Gozo has been formally designated as a special area of conservation by the Environment and Resources Authority.

Qortin ta’ Isopu, il-Ġebla talĦnejja and Ġebla tal-Fessej, also in Gozo, were also granted protection.

The energy and environment ministry said the formal designation by the ERA meant that the government had sealed environmental protection for Ħondoq ir-Rummien. Il-Qortin ta’ Isopu, il-Ġebla tal-Ħnejja and il-Ġebla tal-Fessej will enjoy the same environmental protection due to their natural and geological attributes.

In Malta, Xrobb l-Għaġin will also be declared a special conservation area.

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, together with ERA CEO Kevin, Mercieca and Qala mayor, Paul Buttigieg visited Ħondoq yesterday.

“We are giving Ħondoq among the highest levels of environmental protection offered by our country’s environmental laws. The government is legally and officially recognising the natural importance of this area by protecting the area home to rich biodiversity and protected species, such as the locusts and mature olive trees,” Dalli said in a statement.

She explained that this level of protection meant that activities in this area were subject to more rigorous screening and environmental studies than other sites located in outside development zones (ODZ).

“In total we are adding another 850,000 square metres to the country’s list of protected land – the size of 120 football grounds, a little bigger than the size of Valletta,” the minister added.

“We’re recognising the area’s natural importance