The planned project at Wied Inċita must prioritise biodiversity and the ecological aspect
Alfred E Baldacchino
Wied Inċita has, in the past, served as a government nursery. Many an indigenous species of trees were propagated from local stock in Wied Inċita, which, at that time, was managed by the Urban and Rural Landscaping Section of the Department of Agriculture.
The government recently announced that the open green space at Wied Inċita will be turned into a public open space within a few months. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
In 2002, it was handed over to a public private consortium – the Environment Landscaping Consortium – with a yearly budget of Lm8 million. Several plans, ideas, suggestions were forthcoming from this consortium, such as a “traditional-style citrus grove, an ornamental orchard, a fountain and a little kiosk where people can relax and have coffee”.
And it was also proposed that the valley at Wied Inċita would be rehabilitated and a bridge built over the water course. A souvenir shop and a seating area were also to be provided.
A look at Wied Inċita today reveals that all this was just paper talk and, not surprisingly, nothing materialised. This natural asset, which can contribute so much ecologically, socially, economically, educationally and scientifically, was, and still is, mismanaged and misused and, now, this open green space is in an abandoned state.
The prime minister has recently announced that the open green space at Wied Inċita will “be turned into a public open space within a few months”, and that “Project Green, the State agency tasked with urban greening projects, is now working to turn land in the area into a place that the broader public could enjoy”.
This is welcome news. The restoration of this open green space into a natural park has been suggested, proposed and asked for by several environmental NGOs and other individuals during the years that this open green area was being mismanaged.
One has, however, to ask what one understands by a “green open space” and a “park”. With hindsight, such parks and green open spaces have all been ‘adorned’ with additional concrete and building construction, especially when the monstrosity planned for the already green open space at San Anton Gardens comes to mind.
Yes, let Wied Inċita be a new park where the public can relax in the natural environment and benefit from the pure clean air provided by the surrounding biodiversity.
Yes, let the public be able to fully benefit from the free natural therapy of this park, where people would be able to lie and stretch on the natural grass, get in closer contact with nature, devoid of buildings and concrete paths, which daily haunt everyday life in the overpopulated urban environment so polluted by the emissions of burnt fossil fuel.
Yes, let Wied Inċita’s biodiversity offer free natural therapy to the public to combat the physical and psychological stress that people are engulfed in their daily urban life.
Yes, let such a park offer peace of mind where the commercial construction industry is nowhere to be seen.
Let Wied Inċita be a new park where the public can relax in the natural environment and benefit from the pure clean air provided by the surrounding biodiversity– Alfred Baldacchino
Yes, let this new park offer opportunities for the public, including visits by schoolchildren to get their hands dirty and learn how to propagate local flora from local indigenous species.
Wied Inċita has a very few structures, thus eliminating the need of building new ones. These existent buildings in the park can be converted into educational units such as a small audiovisual centre, where the public can look closer and be further informed about the rich biodiversity of our country.
Certainly one of the existing buildings in the park can be converted into a tearoom and another a public convenience for the benefit of the visiting public.
Unfortunately, no plans, no public consultation, no indication of how this project is going to be conducted have been made public, so none of the stakeholders have had the opportunity to discuss, suggest, comment and provide professional data on this new park.
One would be justified in thinking that this may be another project where the construction sector has the main say and the biodiversity in the park does not even figure on the agenda.
There are a number of such ‘Project Green’ projects, such as the one earmarked for San Anton Gardens, which are going to decrease the open green space the gardens offer.
What is the use of first planning and executing such a new park project and then opening public consultations? Is not public consultation a requisite when spending EU funds?
In the absence of such consultations, it would be better to leave Wied Inċita as it is today, neglected and misused, than to alter it without any vision and knowledge of a real natural park, which would further destroy the biodiversity in the area.
Wied Inċita can wait for a future professional qualified person who will put biodiversity at the top of the agenda and building construction at the very bottom. A new park that contributes to the ecological, social and economic aspects will be a true asset that can be offered to meet long awaited demands from the public.
The publication of plans on which works will be carried out will give a better picture of what is going to happen before it is cast in stone.
Alfred Baldacchino is a former assistant director of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
The Environment and Resources Authority seems more interested in dishing out permits for the massacre of mature trees than removing invasive alien species
The canopy of mature trees in Valley Road, Birkirkara. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
So now it is the turn for the Valley Road trees to face “heavy” pruning according to an ERA permit.
No surprise because the Environment and Resources Authority is headed by political appointees who do not have any inkling or feelings about what biodiversity is, or how it is professionally managed. Just have a look at the latest Mosta tree skeletons permitted by ERA top brass, who reversed the permit after the onslaught.
The reason for heavy pruning is that such trees are touching the façade of some buildings and this is quite a ‘hazard’ according to Infrastructure Malta, which seems to be having quite a lot of fun decimating, butchering, uprooting and heavily pruning trees throughout the island, with a little help from ERA.
If there were a price or a medal, or an appreciation by the republic of the worst offender of biodiversity in Malta, it would be heavily contested by Infrastructure Malta and the politically hijacked ERA.
If one looks at the line of trees on both sides of the road (145 of them), one can see that there are barely half a dozen of them whose leaves touch the façade of houses or commercial buildings. And if there are such trees, why do they have to be heavily pruned? The main trunk of the trees is more than eight metres or more away from the façades, so light pruning of the side branches would solve the problem. Why heavy pruning?
Is this exercise being undertaken as a sort of hobby by the official entities, against the suggestions and objections by stakeholders? Is it a commercial exercise using public funds to heavily prune such trees? Is it an exercise to accommodate somebody to take the chopped wood for commercial purposes? Is it to ensure that the macro-niche would be destroyed? Is it to destroy the environmental, aesthetic, social, ecological and economic benefits the trees are providing? Is it an exercise to irritate stakeholders who have the Maltese biodiversity heritage at heart?
The cleaning of the trunk from water sprouts does not create any problems to manage. But do these need heavy pruning to be professionally managed?
The lowering of the crown of the tree is also questionable. There have never been any accidents under the canopy over the road: no car, no pedestrian and no storm accidents. So why do these trees need heavy pruning?
The former ministers have left behind a long wake of butchered, disfigured, dead, uprooted trees
The tree canopy does not cause any problems to the heavy machinery which passes every day beneath it. So why is there a need to heavily prune the canopy to six metres as has been reported? This means that the canopy would be completely removed. Why?
With regard to the timing of pruning, ERA has official guidelines for work involving trees. But nobody takes any notice of such guidelines, not even ERA itself.
It has also been reported that the work will be supervised by a “forester and an arborist”. This can be a step forward, if only such monitoring will take in consideration biodiversity interests in this exercise.
ERA political appointees without doubt have no idea of invasive alien species, unless, of course, they see them as beautiful and contributing to the country. But the academics at ERA are surely aware of such alien species even growing in Valley Road.
Yes, the balloon vine is spreading and spreading and also climbing up the Valley Road trees. Unfortunately, ERA has never spent a dime to control and eliminate these as obliged by EU regulations on alien invasive species.
Seems that ERA (as politically directed) is more interested in dishing out permits for the massacre of mature trees than fulfilling its obligations to remove invasive alien species which are growing everywhere across the island, to the detriment of biodiversity which ERA is supposed to protect in the name of the Maltese people. Why?
Why does ERA not intervene in such a project and concentrate on the removal of the balloon vines which are spreading along Valley Road? These do not have to be removed by any chainsaw or by any heavy pruning but by adequate tools carefully by hand. The political appointees of ERA would probably be against such control of the invasive species because they do not have the necessary biodiversity background to understand such measures.
Finally, is Chris Bonett, the new minister responsible for Infrastructure Malta, going to follow in his predecessors’ footsteps? The former ministers, Aaron Farrugia and Ian Borg, both responsible for Infrastructure Malta, have left behind a long wake of butchered, disfigured, dead, uprooted trees, replacing them with so-called indigenous trees imported from overseas! History will remember them all without doubt.
Where will Infrastructure Malta’s next tree butchering arena be organised. Perhaps Marsalforn Road, Gozo?
The Mosta trees massacre shows, once again, that the environment is certainly not a priority for those in office.
The mismanagement of 12 ficus trees started with an idea from the Mosta mayor. According to press reports, this idea was discussed at a council meeting where it was approved. However, what the mayor failed to do next was to discuss this idea with all stakeholders, namely Mosta residents, NGOs and individuals who have an interest.
According to the media, early in November, the mayor approached ERA’s CEO for a permit to uproot the 12 ficus trees. And ERA obliged.
Press reports also said that the ficus trees would be transplanted elsewhere and replaced by Judas trees (siġra ta’ Ġuda) and holm oaks (ballut).
The public was consequently greeted by naked trees that once graced Mosta square, all butchered during the cover of darkness. Stakeholders were up in arms. The NGO Graffitti led protests against such mismanagement.
The public was greeted by naked trees that once graced Mosta square. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The architects involved in the design and landscaping of the area distanced themselves from this ‘landscaping’ idea, saying that they always try to take in consideration the trees on site.
ERA has officials who are qualified in biodiversity and its conservation. They are all aware of the social and ecological negative impacts that the uprooting of these 12 ficus trees would have.
These include the disappearance of the aesthetic contribution the trees were giving to the square, less clean air, the loss of protection from the sun, wind and rain, the loss of open green space and the loss of biodiversity, such as the destruction of the roosting habitat for migratory birds, mainly the white wagtail (zakak), which is protected both locally and also by European Union legislation.
The people at ERA know all this and also know that the recommended holm oak trees are not adequate for replacing the ficus trees. The holm oak is much stronger and grows very slowly but there is nothing to prevent it from reaching any cistern in the vicinity. ERA would never suggest that ficus trees would be replaced with holm oaks in such an urban area.
Considering the above, one wonders why ERA issued the permit for the destruction of trees. In fact, ERA has never taken a stand for the protection of any tree. Permits were issued for the destruction of trees at the Attard Central Link, Mġarr, Naxxar, Santa Luċija, Qormi, Rabat and Ta’ Qali, just to mention a few. Could it be because of the imprinted mentality which those responsible for ERA brought with them from the Planning Authority?
The depth of the lack of appreciation, lack of knowledge on biodiversity and its professional management knows no bounds. On Campus FM recently, an architect said that the removal of the trees was a good aesthetic decision because the trees were obstructing the vision of the church in its entirety.
Permits were issued for the destruction of trees in Attard, Mġarr, Naxxar, Santa Lucija, Qormi, Rabat and Ta’ Qali.
This reminds one when trees were destroyed because somebody could not see the statue of the village patron being carried outside and back into the parish church. And because somebody could not see fireworks from the balcony.
Furthermore, the architect added that this is just a storm in a tea cup and he was surprised how this could create such a public uproar, adding that the trees would be replaced by Judas trees and holm oaks. The architect is a former environment minister.
Stakeholders involved in efforts to save the trees have not only proved him completely wrong but they have contributed to a decision which ERA’s top brass should have taken in the first place.
The reversal of the Mosta council decision to uproot the trees and the efforts ERA is making to patch up its blunder show that the ERA permit was just a permit of convenience.
Alfred Baldacchino is a former MEPA assistant director.
(Rivista maħruġa mill-Kulleġġ tal-Kappillani) – Ħarġa 218 – Novembru 2023
Alfred E Baldacchino
Illum l-ambjent huwa fuq fomm kulħadd. In-numru ta’ nies li qed jifhmu li l-ambjent, kemm dak fiżiku kif ukoll dak bioloġiku (il-biodiversità) jiddetta l-ħajja tagħna, qiegħed dejjem jiżdied. Oħrajn qegħdin jaraw ir-riżultati tal-għemejjel tal-bniedem fuq l-ambjent li bil-mod il-mod qiegħed jgħakkes lil-bniedem u l-għixien tiegħu. Huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon li llum wieħed jara li anki l-Knisja qiegħdha mhux biss tifhem dan, imma anki qed tieħu wholl passi konkreti dwar l-ambjent.
Dan il-qawmien ambjentali fil-knisja f’Malta beda fl-1986, meta il-mibki Mons. Professur Carmelo Sant fil-gradwazzjoni fis-seminarju f’Tal-Virtù kien għamel diskors fuq: “L-ambjent naturali: perspettiva bibblika”. Prof. Sant kien saħaq li: “hija r-responsabbiltà morali tal-bniedem li jindokra l-ħolqien madwaru ta’ Alla, li fuqu hija msejjsa l-eżistenza fiżika, u l-kobor spiritwali tiegħu stess… għalhekk mhux biss dan hu fil-kompetenza tal-Knisja u l-Ministri tagħha li jindaħlu u jieħdu pożizzjoni biex jiddefendu l-ambjent, imma hija d-dover tagħha wkoll.”
Aktar qrib żminijietna, twaqqfet l-Kummissjoni tal-Ambjent tal-Knisja f’Malta. Mit-twaqqif tagħha, din tkellmet u kkummentat fuq il-bżonn tal-ħarsien tal-biodiversità fid-dawl tar-responsabbiltajiet tal-Knisja.
Pass kbir kien ittieħed mill-Q.T. il-Papa San Ġwann Pawlu II fl-1 ta’ Jannar 1990, fl-okkakzzjoni tal-Jum Dinji tal-Paċi, tkellem dwar ir-rispett lejn in-natura, l-eġoiżmu kollettiv, in-nuqqas ta’ ħsieb lejn ħaddieħor, id-diżonestà, il-kriżi ekoloġika li tikxef il-faqar tal-karattru morali u l-valuri ta’ etika tal-bniedem, it-tbagħbis fl-ekosistema, il-qerda bla rażan tal-annimali u tal-pjanti, u l-esplojtazzjoni bla kontroll tar-riżorsi naturali. Huwa saħaq dwar il-ħtieġa ta’ progress meqjus ekonomiku, industrijali u xjentifiku.
B’dieqa wieħed jista’ jara li dawn l-impatti negattivi mhux biss m’humiex miġġielda llum, imma huma użati fuq livelli politiċi biex wieħed isaħħaħ il-ħakma tal-poter tiegħu. Tant hu hekk li l-Papa qal li l-paċi fid-dinja hija mhedda mhux biss bil-ġirja u l-użu tal-armi qerrieda, bil-ġlied reġjonali, bl-inġustizzi li ma jaqtgħu xejn bejn il-ġnus, imma anki bin-nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn in-natura, bil-ħtif u s-serq tar-riżorsi naturali, u bit-telfin dejjem jiżdied tal-kwalità tal-ħajja. Dan l-istil ta’ ħajja jixhed sens ta’ dgħufija u joħloq dubji fuq il-kapaċità tal-individwu, u “huwa l-ġuf ta’ eġoiżmu kollettiv, nuqqas ta’ stima għall-oħrajn u diżonestà”.
San Ġwann Pawlu II kien kompla jgħid li: “ma nistgħux imbagħbsu parti mill-ekosistema mingħajr ma ngħatu każ kemm tal-impatti negattivi ta’ dan it-tbagħbis f’oqsma oħra, kif ukoll anki fuq is-saħħa u s-sliem tal-ġenerazzjonijiet ta’ għada.” Illum naraw li t-teħid ta’ ħajja għall-gost, il-qtil fil-ġuf, l-anzjani li jitqiesu bħala xi piż żejjed, it-tneħħija tal-ħajja mgħejjuna mil-liġi; qisu l-ħażin sar tajjeb u t-tajjeb sar xkiel li jwaqqaf il-progress u għalhekk għandu jitwarrab. Il-ħajja saret għodda li tintuża biex wieħed jaħtaf u jisker fir-rgħiba.
Ma’ dan it-tagħlim tal-Knisja, illum insibu wkoll l-enċiklika tal-QT il-Papa Franġisku “Laudato Sì” li ta’ min wieħed jgħati wkoll ħarsa aktar mill-qrib tagħha.
Iz-zakak abjad huwa wieħed miz-zizka li jżuru l-Gżejjer Maltin. Hemm numru ta’ zizka oħra, bħal ngħidu aħna: iz-zakak tad-dell, u l-isfar. Dawn l-għasafar kollha jidhru matul il-passa tagħhom minn fuq il-Gżejjer Maltin.
Iz-zakak abjad huwa għasfur li huwa komuni ħafna. Wieħed jista’ jarah kemm fil-ħarifa, kif ukoll fix-xitwa. Hu jħobb jirgħa qrib l-irziezet u anki fil-mergħat, fejn ifittex insetti bħal ħanfus, ċikkuġwiebi, dubbien, u anki x-xgħat ta’ xi insetti li jsib fid-demel jew fuq iġsma mejta; kif ukoll xi ħlejjaq żgħar oħra, bħal brimb, dud u bebbux. Ifittex ukoll xi ħlejjaq li jgħixu fl-ilma ħelu. Ta’ spiss wieħed jista’ jaraħ ukoll fit-toroq u l-mogħdijiet qrib l-ibliet, ifittex l-ikel. Iz-zakak abjad huwa għasfur mislut u fih 18-il ċm tul, bil-fetħa tal-ġwienaħ li tlaħħaq 25 ċm. Jiżen bejn 17.5 sa 24.5 g. Karatteristika tiegħu li tgħin lil wieħed biex jagħrfu, huwa l-mod kif iċċaqlaq denbu. Dan taħ l-isem Ingliż tiegħu – wagtail.
Kemm ir-raġel kif ukoll il-mara huma mlibbsin bl-istess ilwien. Dawn għandhom mantell griż li jgħatti d-dahar u l-ispallejn, u jibqa’ nieżel sa fuq ir-rix li jgħatti d-denb. Il-ġwienaħ minn fuq huma griżi jagħtu fl-iswed, u fuqhom ikollhom żewġ linji bojod. Id-denb twil huwa iswed b’linji bojod matul it-tarf tiegħu.
Fuq rasu u fuq għonqu z-zakak abjad ikun ta’ lewn griż żebbuġi. Taħt munqaru u fuq sidru huwa ta’ lewn abjad, b’xi daqqiet suwed.
Dawn huma l-ilbies li jidher bihom iz-zakak abjad meta jżurna waqt il-passa tiegħu. Imma fir-rebbiegħa, matul l-istaġun tal-bejta, iz-zakak abjad raġel ikollu rasu u sidru mlibbsa b’aktar kulur iswed.
Minn taħt, iz-zakak abjad huwa iswed imma għandu żaqqu bajda. Il-ġnub tiegħu wkoll huma ġriż ċar. Munqaru u saqajh huma suwed, u għajnejh huma suwed fil-kannella.
Il-mara tkun imlibbsa l-istess imma l-ilwien ikunu aktar mitfija.
Meta z-zakak abjad ikun f’pajjiżna, fil-għaxija jinġabar fi qtajja, u wħud minn dawn jinġabru biex jorqdu fis-siġar ta’ quddiem il-qorti, il-belt.
Fil-Mosta nsibu ukoll triq imsemmija għaz-zakak.
Hemm min dan l-għasfur issejjaħlu pappamosk.
Iz-zakak abjad huwa mħares bir-regolamenti tal-ħarsien tal-għasafar.
Fid-Dwejra nistgħu wkoll niltaqgħu ma’ numru ta’ brimb li minbarra li għandhom rwol fin-nisġa tan-natura, joffru wkoll l-għeġubijiet tal-bijodiversità.
Forsi hemm min jaħseb li l-brimb kollha jagħmlu l-għanqbuta biex jaqbdu l-ikel tagħhom. Imma hemm uħud li ma jużawx dan il-mezz. Waħda minn dawn il-brimb hija l-brimba tal-fjuri.
Kif jixhed l-isem Ingliż tagħha crab spider, din għandha forma ta’ granċ. Din il-brimba tal-fjuri mara tista’ tbiddel l-ilwien li jlibbsuha, hekk ngħidu aħna, minn bajda sa roża jew isfar. Dawn jgħinuha biex tinħeba u ma tidherx fuq il-fjura waqt li tkun qed tistenna b’saqajha ta’ quddiem miftuħa, biex hekk kif jiġi xi insett iżur il-fjura hija taħtfu. Fost l-insetti li taqbad insibu dubbien, naħal, żnażan, friefet u ħanfus, li ħafna drabi jistgħu jkunu ferm akbar mill-brimba nifisha.
Kif taqbadhom biż-żewġ saqajn twal ta’ quddiem, il-brimba toqtol l-insett billi tigdmu fuq il-kozz t’għonqu.
Ir-raġel huwa iżgħar mill-mara u aktar mislut u ma jkollux l-ilwien li jlibbsu l-mara, għax ta’ spiss ikun ħadrani jew kannella. Tant li filwaqt li r-raġel ikun twil bejn 2 sa 5mm, il-mara tkun bejn 7 sa 10mm twila.
Barra minn hekk, il-mara tkun aktar robusta u ma tantx titbiegħed mill-post fejn tkun. Din tista’ tgħix sa 600 ġurnata.
Xi brimb nisa huma magħrufa li huma aggressivi ħafna lejn ir-raġel, imma il-brimba tal-fjuri mhix waħda minnhom. Il-mara titgħammar kważi dejjem f’Ġunju. Hija tinseġ minn tnejn sa erba’ fosdqiet tal-ħarir, u fihom tbid minn 10 sa aktar minn 400 bajda ġo kull waħda. Dawn soltu li jfaqqsu xahar wara minn meta l-mara tbidhom.
Il-brimba tal-fjuri, imma l-aktar il-friegħ tagħha, jistgħu wkoll jieklu kemm l-għabra tad-dakra tal-fjura, kif ukoll in-nektar li jkun fiha l-fjura, l-aktar meta jonqos l-ikel.
Għalkemm din il-brimba tal-fjuri hija komuni ħafna fil-ġżejjer Maltin, xejn ma huwa faċli li wieħed jiltaqa’ magħha, tant tkun moħbija tajjeb fil-fjura. Imma jekk wieħed ifittex bir-reqqa fuq, jew madwar il-fjuri, mhux diffiċli biex jiltaqa’ ma’ xi waħda.
Il-bufula s-sewda hija għasfur li jbejjet fil-Gżejjer Maltin, għalkemm uħud ukoll iżuru l-gżejjer waqt il-passa tagħhom.
Dan l-għasfur huwa komuni fil-Gżejjer Maltin. Fih 13ċm tul u jiżen bejn 8.5 sa 16.5g. Ir-raġel u l-mara ma jkunux imlibbsa l-istess, u jkunu fl-aqwa tagħhom matul l-istaġun tal-bejta. Ir-raġel ikollu rasu sewda, b’daharu griż mitfi, b’sidru u żaqqu bajdanin. Mill-banda l-oħra l-mara tkun kannella fuq daharha, b’żaqqha bajdanija. Kemm ir-raġel kif ukoll il-mara għadhom denb twil iswed u mislut bit-truf matulu bojod. It-tnejn għandhom ċirku aħmar madwar għajnejhom.
Wara l-istaġun tal-bejta l-ilwien fuq id-dahar tar-raġel jsiru ta’ kulur żebbuġi u dak iswed ma jibqax daqshekk karg. Anki l-ilwien tal-mara jinbidlu xi ftit għax il-kuluri tagħha jidhru aktar mitfija. Il-frieħ ikunu jixbħu lill-mara imma jkollhom l-ilwien aktar mitfija, għalkemm jidhru aktar kannella minnha.
It-titjira tal-bufula s-sewda hija waħda b’daqqiet tal-ġwienah qishom bl-iskossi, l-aktar meta tkun qed ittir fuq ħaxix baxx. U wieħed hawn jista’ jara ilwien tad-denb hekk kif dan l-għasfur jogħdos biex jinħeba.
l-aktar li tfittex għall-ikel huma l-insetti, imma l-bufula s-sewda tiekol wkoll frott u għawżiet l-aktar meta l-ġranet jiksħu u l-insetti jonqsu.
Wieħed jista’ jiltaqa’ mal-bufula s-sewda qrib il-kosta, fix-xagħri u fil-makkja, imma dan l-għasfur illum jinstab ukoll f’għelieqi maħduma. L-aktar li jogħġobha huwa ambjent bi ħxejjex folti kif ukoll imsaġar li taħthom jikbru xi arbuxelli.
Il-bufula s-sewda tibni l-bejta tagħha mill-ħaxix f’arbuxelli u f’ħaxix baxx. Din tkun bejn 30 sa 60ċm ’il fuq mill-art. Il-mara tbid minn tlieta sa ħames bajdiet. Kemm il-mara kif ukoll ir-raġel jagħtu sehemhom biex isaħħnu dawn il-bajd. Dawn ifaqqsu bejn12 u 15-il ġurnata wara. Ir-raġel u l-mara jieħdu ħsieb biex iżoqqu liż-żgħar sakemm dawn iħallu l-bejta madwar 12 jew 13-il ġurnata wara, għalkemm jibqgħu jieħdu ħsiebhom sa minn 2 sa 3 ġimgħahr oħra.
Il-bufula s-sewda hija mħarsa bir-reġolamenti tal-ħarsien tal-għasafar.
L-għammiel tal-bejt huwa l-aktar għasfur komuni li jbejjet f’numri kbar kemm fl-urban kif ukoll fil-kampanja. Dan l-għasfur fih bejn 15 sa 16ċm tul, b’fetħa tal-ġwienah li tlaħħaq bejn 23 sa 26ċm. Wieħed ma jistax ma jiltaqax miegħu d-Dwejra.
Ir-raġel u l-mara ma humiex imlibbsin l-istess. Ir-raġel għandu maskra fuq rasu ta’ lewn qastni skur, li twassal ukoll sa fuq dahru u fuq il-ġnub ta’ għonqu. Ħaddejh huma bojod puri, u munqaru huwa oħxon ta’ lewn ikħal sewdieni skur. Taħt geddumu għandu bħal daqna sewda li tinfirex fuq sidru. Tant li kien hawn minn jafu bħali d-daqni.
Minn taħt din id-daqna jidhru numru ta’ dbabar suwed li jibqgħu jinfirxu sa fuq ġenbejh. Żaqqu hija bajdanija. Dahru huwa mlibbes b’linji suwed u kannella ħamrani. Is-saqajn qosra tiegħu huma ta’ lewn kannella sabiħ.
Mill-banda l-oħra, il-mara hija mlibbsa b’kuluri aktar mitfija, bi tbajja’ kannella fuq dahra u griżi mitfijin minn taħt. Munqarha huwa ta’ lewn safrani. Il-mara tkun tixbaħ lill-frieħ, għalkemm il-frieħ ikollhom il-kuluri ħafna aktar mitfija. Ma għandhiex il-mantell u l-kulur iswed li għandu r-raġel.
l-għammiel tal-bejt jibni l-bejta għal ħabta ta’ Frar. Din tkun goffa u tinbena kemm fil-ħitan tas-sejjieħ, f’xi toqob fil-ħitan, fl-irdumijiet, fis-siġar u anki fil-ventilaturi fl-ibliet. Ġo din il-bejta il-mara tista’ tbid minn tnejn sa tliet tqegħida.
Kull tqegħida jkollha minn erba’ sa sitt bajdiet li jfaqqsu wara tnax-il ġurnata. Ix-xjuħ iżoqqu l-frieħ ikel artab, l-aktar insetti u xgħat. Ikel iebes, bħal ngħidu aħna ħobż imqatta, ma tantx jgħin lil-friegħ għax jista’ jifgagħhom. Il-friegħ jitajjru mill-bejta meta jkollhomn 14-il ġurnata jew aktar.
L-għammiel tal-bejt huwa mħares bir-regolamenti għall-ħarsien tal-għasafar.
Gremxula ta’ Malta Podarcis filfolensis maltensis Maltese Wall Lizard
Alfred E BDaldacchino
Matul żjara fid-Dwejra ma jistax jonqos lil wieħed jiltaqa’ mal-gremxula ta’ Malta, tiġri fuq l-art, jew tixxemmex fuq xi ġebla jew f’xaqq f’xi ħajt. Din hija waħda mir-rettili li joktru fil-Gżejjer Maltin.
Il-gremxula raġel jintgħaraf għax huwa mlibbes lewn aħdar sabiħ, u dan jidher aktar jixgħel matul l-istaġun tan-namra. Matul ġenbejh, ir-raġel ikollu tikek ħodor. Huwa jista’ jkun fih madwar 29ċm tul, u fir-rebbiegħa jidher jiddefendi r-roqgħa art li jkun għamel tiegħu.
Mill-banda l-oħra, il-gremxula mara kif ukoll il-frieħ huma mlibbsin aktar bi lwien kannella, għalkemm il-mara jkollha leħħa ħadranija ħafna aktar mitfija mil-lewn tar-raġel. Minflok tikek matulha, kif ikollu r-raġel, il-mara jkollha linji rqaq ħadranin.
Fir-rebbiegħa il-kuluri sbieħ tar-raġel jgħinuh biex jiġbed lejh mara biex jgħammarha. Din wara tbid minn tnejn sa erba’ bajdiet bojod. Kull bajda tkun bejn 10 sa 12.6mm twal u bejn 6 sa 7.5mm wiesgħa. Il-mara tbidhom fil-ħamrija jew taħt xi ġebla. Iżda l-mara tista’ tbid tqiegħda oħra ta’ bajd wara madwar 25 sa 41 ġurnata wara l-ewwel waħda.
Il-bajd ifaqqas xi 45 sa 51 ġurnata wara, u wieħed jista’ jara l-frieħ, li jkun fihom madwar 65mm tul, għal ħabta ta’ Ġunju sa nofs Awwissu.
Meta il-ġremxul iħossu mhedded minn xi predatur, hu jistgħu jwaqqa’ denbu. Dan id-denb maqtugħ, jidher jitgħawweġ u jaqbeż, u l-għan ta’ dan kollu huwa biex jaljena l-predatur li jħares lejh u hekk il-gremxula jkollha biżżejjed ħin biex taħrab. Il-ġremxula tista’ mbagħad bil-mod ittella’ denb ġdid.
Ġieli jiġri li d-denb ma jinqatax kollu waqt xi ġlieda li dawn ikollhom bejniethom. Imma l-gremxula tista’ ttella’ denb ġdid xorta waħda. Tidher li din qisu jkollha żewġt idnieb, imma ikun żbaljat minn jaħseb hekk.
Il-ġrexula tiekol invertebrati bħal xi insetti. Imma llum wieħed jista’ jaraha tiekol anki xi skart li jħalli warajh il-bnidem, bħal ngħidu aħna xi tadam, tuffieħ u anki tlaqqat xi ġelat.
Il-ġremxula ta’ Malta hija endemika – jiġifieri ma tinstab imkien aktar fid-dinja ħlief fil-Gżejjer Maltin. U mhux hekk biss, imma nsibu wkoll tliet razzez differenti oħra. Hemm waħda fuq il-blata tal-Ġeneral, oħra fuq Filfla, u oħra fuq il-Ġzejjer ta’ San Pawl. Ma għandniex xi ngħidu li dawn huma kollha endemiċi għall-gżira li jgħixu fuqha. Dik ir-razza li tinstab id-Dwejra tinstab ukoll f’Għawdex u f’Kemmuna.
Il-gremxul kollha tal-ġżejjer Maltin hu mħares bil-liġi, bħalma huma r-rettili kollha li jinsabu fil-Gżejjer Maltin, u ma jistgħux jinqabdu jew jinżammu.
In-nannakola ta’ seba’ tikki hija insett mill-ordni kbira ta’ ħanfus. Hija wkoll waħda minn nannakoli oħra li jinstabu fil-Gżejjer Maltin.
Din in-nannakola fiha bejn 7.6 sa 10mm tul. Il-ġwienaħ ta’ quddiem huma orangjo jagħti fl-aħmar. Kif jixhed l-isem tagħha, fuq dawn il-ġwienah għandha tliet tikek suwed fuq kull ġewnaħ u tikka oħra fejn il-ġwienaħ jingħaqdu ħdejn rasha. Quddiem din l-aħħar tikka jidhru żewġ tbajja’ bojod fuq kull naħa. Dawn il-ġwienaħ ħomor jagħttu l-ġwienaħ suwed ta’ wara, li jkunu mitwija taħthom.
Il-kulur aħmar tal-ġwienaħ jgħin lin-nannakola kontra l-predaturi. Minbarra dan, in-nannakola għandha likwidu li ma għandux togħma tajba. Barra minn hekk, xi kultant tilgħaba ta’ waħda mejta biex ukoll tbiegħed dawk li jkunu qed idejquha jew jippruvaw jiekluha.
Minn taħt in-nannakola tkun kollha sewda.
Bħal kull insett ieħor, il-ħajja tan-nannakola tinqasam f’erbgħa: tibda bħala bajda li tkun ovali u tawwalija, li l-mara tbid fuq il-pjanti fil-bidu tar-rebbiegħa jew fis-sajf. Wara bejn wieħed u ieħor erbat ijiem, minnha jfaqqas xagħat. L-ewwel ħaġa li dan jagħmel huwa li jiekol il-qoxra tal-bajda li minnha jkun faqqas. Huwa jsoff likwidu mill-qamel tal-weraq. Wara madwar 13-il ġurnata jorbot lilu nnifsu ma’ xi ħaxixa u jinbidel f’fosdqa. Din tkun jew ta’ kulur orangjo mitfi jew kannella skur, jew sewdinija, skont it-temperatura tal-mument. Min din il-fosdqa toħroġ in-nannakola magħmula wara madwar tmint ijiem. Dawn jistgħu jidhru matul il-ġurnata, xi kultant anki jtiru.
Wara minn għaxra sa 14-il ġurnata, il-mara tkun lesta biex titgħammar u tbid. Din tbid minn 250 sa 500 bajda f’ħajjitha, kollha bejn ir-rebbiegħa u kmieni fis-sajf. Kull tqegħida bajd ikun fiha 15-il bajda.
In-nannakola torqod għax xitwa jew fil-qxur ta’ zokk ta’ xi siġra, jew qalb il-ġebel, jew qalb il-weraq niexef li jinġema’ fl-art, jew f’xi ġnien.
In-nannakola hija magħrufa li tiekol u tikkontrolla l-briegħed tal-weraq, għalkemm tiekol ukoll l-għabra tad-dakra u n-nettar. Tant li hawn xi pajjiżi li jkabbru n-nannakola ta’ seba’ tikki biex dawn jintużaw fil-ġlieda b’mod bijololġiku kontra l-briegħad tal-weraq.
Imma n-nannakola dejjem qiegħda tonqos minħabba l-qerda tal-ambjent, l-użu tal-pestiċidi kif ukoll il-bdil fil-klima.
Niftakar li meta konna żgħar, u konna mmorru l-iskola primarja, konna nqattgħu ħin infittxu xi nannakola u filwaqt li narawha tielgħa ma’ subgħajna, konna ngħidu: “Nannakola, nannakola, mur l-iskola, ġib is-siġġu u ibda ogħla; ġib il-pinna u l-klamar, ħalli npinġu ras ta’ ħmar”. Kemm kienu żminijiet sbieħ!
Illum mhux biss hawn minn ma jafx b’dan, imma hawn minn ukoll ma jafx x’inhi nannakola, u hawn oħrajn li lanqas qatt ma raw waħda!
Environmentalists question decision to plant foreign trees on Maltese roads during heat wave
Kyle Patrick Camilleri
A social media post announcing that over 700 mature trees and around another 50,000 plants and bushes were being planted by Infrastructure Malta despite scorching temperatures sparked outrage among environmentalists, who questioned why such an exercise was taking place during a heat wave.
Infrastructure Malta, planting mature imported trees, with barely any roots, in August, during the heatwave when temperatures registered 40°C
The planting exercise, part of the projects at the Kirkop Tunnels, the Airport Intersection, and the Luqa Junction, was announced by the agency on its social media page on 18 July, at the start of what would be a long heat wave that would eventually lead to July being registered as the hottest month on record for Malta.
The peak temperature on July 18 was 40°C, and temperatures did not go below that until the end of the month. Apart from commenting about the high temperatures, people also expressed their frustration at the lack of local tree species – at least those that were shown in the promotional post.
The Malta Independent on Sunday contacted a spokesperson from a local eNGO who had also publicized his anger towards this announcement. He said the trees and shrubs were being given minimal chance for sustained life due to being planted in blazing summer conditions.
Infrastructure Malta boasts of its tree planting on 18th July, when the temperature was the highest ever registered in Malta – 40°C. But why do they never want to learn? Is this another advice from their usual ‘horticulturist’?
The spokesperson said that there are only two adequate seasons to plant trees: spring and autumn. In his own words, “summer is not viable. It’s like throwing a cat or a person in a steaming car in a heatwave. It never makes sense.”
When asked about the use of foreign tree species in government-funded projects/initiatives, the eNGO representative stated that it is a “very common practice” and that he is bewildered as to why local species are not given priority.
He stated that Malta has an intrinsically rich biodiversity that should be promoted, yet instead, government officials select to import foreign species at higher costs, running the risk that the importation and planting of alien species could be detrimental.
“We should show importance towards Maltese endemic bushes and trees, not to foreign and invasive species.”
From a financial perspective, importing alien species is far more costly; public funds are being used to pay for the added costs in this process, including the initial purchase of all foreign florae and the transportation costs (besides the expenses required for the floral propagation).
From an environmental point of view, incorporating foreign species of flora can come with destructive effects towards local ecosystems, he said.
When asked to elaborate on the negative implications of floral importation and its frequency, he said: “We are losing economic opportunities for green jobs while promoting major risks of the highest to the environment”.
Alfred Baldacchino – a former assistant director within the Environment Protection Directorate – was also contacted to describe these adverse consequences.
He said that these negative impacts fall under three headings: ecological, economical, and social. While social effects refer to changes in public aesthetic, local biodiversity can be seriously threatened via the other two.
Baldacchino told The Malta Independent on Sunday that “exotic trees may become invasive and compete with local indigenous species”. Ecologically, the gene pool of native species may be polluted with the introduction of some imported breeds.
Negative implications may still arise if the imported florae are not invasive – such flora can bring with them other diseases and pests.
Baldacchino referenced an incident from 2013 when imported palm trees brought with them invasive pests known as the red palm weevil. As these insects entered Maltese ecosystems, they quickly decimated hundreds of palm trees across the Maltese islands, forcing their uprooting across many localities in Malta and Gozo.
Inarticle found on his personal blog, Baldacchino indicated that some people at the time who owned some of these victim palm trees were warned by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment to uproot their trees within a couple days’ notice. They were also informed that if this request was not met, they would be fined €666.66.
In this blog article, Baldacchino had written that “Imported alien species all carry a hidden cost, no matter what politicians, entrepreneurs or public officials say or think.”
Queries relating to the aforementioned project were sent to Infrastructure Malta on Thursday. No reply was received.
ADDENDA – Alfred E Balddacchino
The spokesman for the eNGO is correct. This shows the pitiful state and the lack of will toward the protection of the environment, despite the fact that we are told that the environment is of priority – perhaps for exploitation and destruction!
Aaron Farrugia, previously the minister for the Environment, seems to be dead keen to be a bull in a china shop in environmental matters, on which he does not have an inkling, with such detrimental effect on biodiversity. He is well known in the environmental field for distributing ‘endemic seeds’ imported from Holland.
One wonders why ERA, the Environment and Resource Authority has competently ditched its responsibility on safeguarding biodiversity, despite being the Competent Authority in Malta on the subject. Instead it is now renowned for dishing out permits for the destruction of trees and acting as a PRO for Waste Serve.
Furthermore Infrastructure Malta, since its inception under Ian Borg and his comrade Frederick Azzopardi, now in the portfolio of Aaron Farrugia, is still bulldozing everything that is of biodiversity importance – with no scientific input whatsoever.
The Minister for the Environment should make it a point that ERA should stand up to its responsibilities on biodiversity. The planting of mature trees in the midst of August is something that one versed in biodiversity should know is like ploughing the sand. But that’s what happens when ERA is managed by people who have a long history and have been brought up and imprinted in the Planning Authority.
Everybody is in favour of planting more trees, but indigenous trees grown from local stock planted with a professional vision, and not trees imported for the sake of short-term commercial profits only, as this case clearly shows.
Iċ-Ċikkuġwiebi aħmar – Sympetrum fonscolombii – Red-veined Darter
Alfred E Baldacchino
Forsi mhux kulħadd jaf x’inhu ċikkuġwiebi. Meta konna żgħar konna ngħidulu helicopter jew dragonfly. Wara beda jissejjaħ mazzarell. Imma meta ltqajt ma’ xi bdiewa li kellhom ġiebja, sirt naf li dan jafuh bħala ċikkuġwiebi.
Dawn iċ-ċikkuġwiebi, kif jixhed isimhom Malti, jinstabu jduru fejn tkun tinstab xi roqgħa ilma, jew inkella matul xi nixxigħa, u ma għandniex xi ngħidu fejn kull ġiebja. Hawnhekk huma jħufu u jduru biex jaqbdu l-ikel tagħhom, bħal ngħidu aħna, xi nsetti. Imma mhux għalhekk biss. Huma jagħżlu roqgħa għalihom fuq dan l-ilma u jkeċċu kull ċikkuġwiebi rġiel oħra li jazzardaw jidħlu f’dan it-territorju tagħhom. Dan għaliex huma jkunu qed jistennew li xi mara jogħġobuha kemm ir-roqgħa ilma li jkun qed iħares, kemm hu.
Hawn fil-gżejjer Maltin għandna mad-19-il speċi differenti ta’ ċikkuġwiebi. Wieħed minn dawn nistgħu narawh ukoll jittajjar il-Qattara fid-Dwejra. Dan huwa ċ-ċikkuġwiebi aħmar. Dan ikun fih bejn 39 sa 40mm tul b’fetħa tal-ġwienaħ li tista’ tkun bejn 60 sa 70mm. Minbarra li dan ibejjet f’pajjiżna, dan ipassi wkoll.
Bħal ħafna mill-ħlejjaq, il-mara u r-raġel huma mlibbsin bi lwien differenti. Ir-raġel ikollu żaqqu ħamra, u r-ras u d-dahar ikunu kulur aħmar skur. Għajnejh, li jidhru kbar, huma ta’ lewn kannella minn fuq, imma kaħlani xehbi minn taħt.
L-erba’ ġwinhajn huma trasparenti u għandhom nisġa ta’ vini rqaq ħomor fuqhom. Il-par ta’ quddiem għandhom dbabar sofor mitfijin, li jkollhom burdura sewda madwarhom.
Ir-raġel mhux matur aktar jixbaħ lil-mara għalkemm ikun aktar ħamrani. Il-mara hija daqs ir-raġel, imma żaqqha hija safranija fil-kannella, u għandha wkoll żewġ linji suwed matulha. In-nisġa ta’ vini fuq ġwenħajha hija safranija.
Saqajn dan iċ-ċikkuġwiebi, kemm tal-mara u kemm tar-raġel, huma suwed b’tiċpisa ta’ isfar.
Wieħed jista’ jara dan iċ-ċikkuġwiebi jittajjar minn Marżu sal-aħħar ta’ Ġunju, kif ukoll minn l-aħħar ta’ Lulju sa kmieni f’Diċembru, fir-roqgħa fuq l-ilma li jkun għamel tiegħu, wieqaf għassa fuq xi zokk fejn jidher sewwa, ikeċċi ċikkuġwiebi rġiel oħra.
Meta dan jirrnexxilu jiġbed lejh mara, wieħed jista’ jarahom tnejn tnejn, ir-raġel iżomm lil-mara waqt li din bil-ponta ta’ żaqqha fl-ilma tbid il-bajd.
Dawn ifaqqsu malajr u fi ftit xhur il-larva tkun lesta biex toħroġ mill-ilma u tinbidel f’ċikkuġwiebi magħmul. Xi minn daqqiet il-larva tgħaddi x-xitwa fl-ilma. Din ikollha ras b’għajnjenha kbar, u fuq daharha jkollha żewġ linji skuri. Hija taqbad l-ikel tagħha mill-ilma.
Matul l-eqqel tas-sajf wieħed ma jistax ma jismax iż-żarżir tal-werżieq. Jinstema’ ġej minn kullimkien, imma l-werżieq ma jidher imkien. Dan għaliex il-werżieq tant huwa mlibbes tajjeb bi lwien li meta jserraħ fuq xi zokk jew għasluq ta’ xi siġra, ma jidhirx.
Il-werżieq huwa insett li jkun fih mdwar 25 mm tul, b’fetħa tal-ġwienah li tlaħħaq 70 mm. L-ilwien li jlibbsuh huma minn kannella sa ġriż, u dawn jgħinuh jinħeba tajjeb. Fuq żaqqu għandu daqqiet ħomor li jwasslu sa ponta ħamra muswafa ħamranija.
Għajnejn huma kbar u jidhru sewwa mbegħdin minn xulxin fuq ġenb ta rasu. Madwarhom ikollu tliet għajnjen oħra iżgħar. Fuq rasu għandu żewġ xagħriet qosra, u għandu wkoll ilsien twil li juża biex isoff nutrienti mis-siġar.
Mad-daqqa t’għajn wieħed jista’ jaħsbu xi dubbiena kbira, bil-ġwienah ta’ quddiem trasparenti, li fuqhom għandhom nisġa ta’ vini jidhru sewwa, b’ħafna tikek suwed fuqhom.
l-għan ta’ dan iż-żarżir li jagħmel ir-raġel huwa biex jiġbed lejh xi sieħba. U fihom għaxqa tismagħhom iżarżru mal-madwar, kull wieħed juri li huwa l-aqwa wieħed. Il-werżieq iżarżar billi jiġbed ’il ġewwa partijiet minn żaqqu u jerġa’ jħallihom jinfetħu. U ma għandniex xi ngħidu li l-mara tfittex dak li taħseb li huwa l-aħjar fosthom. Meta mara tersaq qrib, mill-ewwel jibdew jinnamraw billi jingħaqdu flimkien u jmissu saqajn xulxin. Huma jgħatu mħabbithom lil xulxin fuq il-post.
Il-werżieq jgħix biss għall ftit ġimgħat, ta’ spiss madwar xahar, jew xahar u nofs.
Il-mara tbid il-bajd fis-sajf jew fil-bidu tal-ħarifa. Ix-xagħat li jfaqqas minn dawn il-bajd jgħix għal numru ta’ snin taħt il-ħamriija, fejn isoff nutrienti mill-għeruq tal-pjanti. Wara xi snin, ix-xagħat joħroġ mill ħamrija, jitla’ ma’ xi zokk ta’ siġra u jinbidel f’werżieq magħmul.
Hemm min il-werżieq isibu bħala żarżur. Hemm oħrajn, li jitfixkluh mal-grillu. Imma dan mhux korrett, għax il-grillu, għalkemm huwa insett ukoll, huwa iswed, u dan jibda jsaffar mal-għabex, kif tibda tnin saħħet il-jum, ukoll biex jiġbed lejh xi sieħba. U l-grillu jsaffar bl-għajnuna tal-ġwienaħ tiegħu, differenti mill-werżieq.
Dawn huma ftit mill-mirakli li n-natura żżejjen bihom in-nisġa li aħna parti minnha, li kieku aħna rridu nifhmuha u napprezzawha.
Il-Farfett tal-kaboċċi – Pieris brassicae – Large White
Alfred E Baldacchino
Farfett indiġenu ieħor li wieħed jista’ jara d-Dwejra huwa l-farfett tal-kaboċċi. Dan l-insett jissejjaħ hekk għaliex ibid l-aktar fuq pjanti mill-familja tal-kaboċċi. Dan jixbaħ ħafna lil farfett tal-kaboċċi ieħor li huwa iżgħar minnu u li huwa indiġenu wkoll għall-ġżejjer Maltin.
Il-fetħa tal-ġwienaħ tal-farfett tal-kaboċċi fiha minn 5.5 sa 7 ċm. Il-gwienaħ tiegħu minn fuq huma bojod u għandhom ir-rokna ta’ fuq tagħhom imċappsa bl-iswed. Imma il-ġwienaħ tal-mara, li tkun ftit akbar, għandhom din it-tiċpisa ftit akbar, kif ukoll għandhom żewġ tiċpisiet suwed fin-nofs tal-ġwienaħ ta’ quddiem.
Il-ġwienaħ ta’ dan il-farfett minn taħt huma bojod safranin kemxejn maħmuġin bil-griż, ħlief fin-nofs u t-tarf tagħhom li huma bojod. Ir-ras, id-dahar u ż-żaqq tal-farfett huma suwed u fuqhom għandhom xagħar żgħir ġriż.
Il-bajd li tbid il-mara huma żgħar ta’ lewn isfar jgħajjat. Dawn ikunu f’għamla ta’ flixkun, madwar 1.4mm twal. Hija tbidhom waħda waħda mqiegħda f’roqgħa li jkun fiha bejn 40 sa 100 bajda. Meta jasslu biex ifaqqsu jkollhom lewn oranġjo jgħajjat.
Ix-xagħat li jfaqqas minn dawn il-bajd ikun ta’ lewn safrani b’ras sewda tleqq. Dan jinbidel f’xagħat aħdar safrani b’linji sofor matulu. Hu jikber sa 45mm tul u jkollu numru ta’ xagħar fin matulu.
Meta jikber kemm għandu jikber, jinbidel f’fosdqa li tkun 20mm twila, ħadra ċara jew bajda fil-ġriż. Din tkun imtektka b’tikek suwed u sofor. Minn din il-fosdqa joħrog il-farfett magħmul u jerġa’ jibda ċiklu ġdid biex inissel friefet oħra.
Minbarra li jbid fil-Gżejjer Maltin, anki dan il-farfett ipassi, u xi kultant jiġi f’numri klbar mill-Afrika ta’ Fuq. Dawn wieħed jista’ jarahom kemm fir-rebbiegħa imma l-aktar matul Settembru u Novembru. U minħabba f’hekk wieħed jista’ jiltaqa’ ma’ dan il-farfett kemm fl-għelieqi, fil-ġonna fl-urban, fi rqajja miftuha f’xi masġar u anki fil-widien.
In-numru ta’ dan il-farfett ukoll huwa ferm iżgħar minn dak li kienu jidhru ftit tas-snin ilu. U anki dan minħabba bdil fil-klima, qerda tal-ambjent u bexx ta’ kimika.
Il-Farfett tal-ħubbejż – Vanessa cardui – Painted lady
Alfred E Baldacchino
Dan il-farfett huwa wieħed minn dawk li jpassu distanzi twal, tant li mill-Afrika ta’ Fuq jasal sal- Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda. Huwa magħruf li jtir kważi 48km fis-siegħa, u jagħmel distanzi ta’ madwar 16km kuljum. Ħafna minn dan il-farfett li naraw fil-Gżejjer Maltin ikunu friefet li jkunu qed ipassu, Imma dan il-farfett ibid ukoll fil-Gżejjer Maltin.
Dan il-farfett iħobb mergħat, għelieqi mitluqa, kif ukoll ġonna.
Il-fetħa tal-ġwienaħ tal-farfett tal-ħubbejż tlaħħaq minn 5 sa 5.6ċm. Dawn ikunu oranġjo b’leħħa kannella. Fir-rokna tal-ġwienaħ ta’ quddiem għandhom dabra kbira sewdinija b’tikek bojod fuqha. Il-ġwienaħ ta’ wara, bl-istess kuluri ta’ dawk ta’ quddiem, għandhom linji ta’ tikek suwed. Kemm il-ġwienaħ ta’ quddiem u kemm dawk ta’ wara huma mserrqa ħafif matulhom.
Min tant, il-ġwienaħ huma mżewqa bi lwien suwed, kannella, oranġjo fl-aħmar, griż u għandhom erba’ tikek żgħar fuqhom, tnejn minnhom jidhru qishom għajnejn.
Il-mara ġeneralment tkun ftit akbar mir-raġel. Hija tbid il-bajd, waħda waħda fuq il-weraq tal-ħubbejża, fost xi pjant oħra. Dawn ikunu ta’ lewn aħdar mitfi, id-daqs ta’ ras ta’ labra. Il-bajda tfaqqas bejn tlieta sa ħamest ijiem wara. Ix-xagħat li jfaqqas minn din il-bajda jkun kannella fil-griż jew inkella iswed fil-vjola b’linja safra matul kull ġenb tiegħu. Fuqu jkollu bħal xewk qasir li jservu biex iħarsuh.
Wara madwar 15-il ġurnata li matulhom ix-xagħat jgħix moħbi f’għatja ta’ ftit ħarir, jilħaq tul ta’ 3ċm. Huwa jinbidel f’fosdqa. Din tkun imdendla b’ħarira rasha ’l isfel taħt xi werqa jew minn xi għaslug. Il-farfett magħmul joħroġ minn din il-fosdqa bejn 7 sa 10 jiem wara. Il-ħajja tiegħu hija biss ta’ madwar ġimgħatejn, li matulhom isoff in-nettar mill-fjuri. Xi friefet minn dawn iqattgħu x-xitwa reqdin f’post kenni.
Wieħed jista’ jara dan il-farfett waranofsinhar fuq xi zokk jistenna lil xi mara li tkun lesta biex titgħammar.
Il-Bomblu l-iswed – Xylocopa violacea – Large carpenter bee
Alfred E Baldacchino
Is-sena l-oħra rajna ftit mill-fjuri indiġeni Maltin li jżejjnu d-Dwejra. Illum sejrin naraw ftit mill-fawna indiġena Maltija li wieħed jista’ jiltaqa’ magħha matul żjara sad-Dwejra. Minkejja li l-ispeċi li tkellimna fuqhom huma ftit, kollha indiġeni, uħud minnhom rari, u wħud endemiċi, dawn kollha jagħtu sehemhom biex jagħmlu d-Dwejra waħda mill-postijiet importanti għall-bijodiversità. Tant li d-Dwejra hija magħrufa mill-Unjoni Ewropea bħala Natura 2000, fejn l-ispeċi kollha li jinstabu fiha huma kollha mħarsa bil-liġi
Il-Bomblu l-iswed
Waħda mill-akbar naħal fl-Ewropa hija l-bomblu l-iswed. Din hija indiġena wkoll għall-Gżejjer Maltin. Fiha minn 20 sa 28 mm. Mad-daqqa t’għajn din in-naħla tidher sewda, imma meta din tidher fid-dawl sewwa, bħal ngħidu aħna, meta l-ġwienaħ jidhru fid-dawl tax-xemx, dawn jidhru b’leħħa vjola fl-ikħal. Tant li dan jagħti l-isem xjentifiku lil din in-naħal – violacea.
L-isem Ingliż tagħha large carpenter bee wkoll jikxef l-imġieba tagħha. Dan għaliex din tfittex injam mejjet jew xi qasba li fihom tħaffer il-bejta tagħha.
Il-bomblu iswed jgħix ħajja ta’ waħdu. Iżda ta’ spiss jinstab ibejjet qrib oħrajn bħalu. Kull bejta jkollha n-naħla li tkun waqqfet il-bejta, li tieħu ħsieb il-bejta, tirgħa għall-materjal għall-bejta, tibni ċ-ċelloli, tbid il-bajd, kif ukoll tħares il-bejta. Din il-bejta sservi għall-ġenerazzjoni waħda biss.
Ta’ min jgħid li l-bajd li tbid din in-naħla huma kemxejn kbir għad-daqs tan-naħla, u huma meqjusa bħala l-akbar fost dawk li jbidu l-insetti.
In-naħla tħaffer toqba tonda madwar 16mm wiesgħa. L-injam li tqatta’ biex tħaffer din it-toqba jew jintrema, jew inkella jintuża biex jinbnew iċ-ċelloli tal-bejta. Din tkun imqassma kemm bħala post fejn taħżen l-ikel għaż-żgħar, kif ukoll bħala post għaż-żgħar.
Xi kultant jidhru n-naħal irġiel li jkunu qed jipproteġu l-bejta minn xi għawġ. Dawn ma humiex perikolużi għaliex ma għandhomx xewka. Mill-banda l-oħra n-nisa jistgħu jagħtu x-xewka, għalkemm ma tantx huma aggressivi u rari jagħmlu dan ħlief meta jħossuhom mhedda.
Il-bomblu l-iswed iqatta’ x-xitwa fil-bejta u joħorġ tard fir-rebbiegħa, madwar April/Mejju. Tard fir-rebbiegħa jew kmieni fis-sajf wieħed jista’ jarahom iffittxu xi sieħba kif ukoll xi post tajjeb fejn jibnu l-bejta.
The University of Malta’s Programme in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (PLAS) is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development. You may apply for any and as many study-units as you wish from the broad range of PLAS study-units on offer.
PLAS study-units consist of weekly evening lectures between 18:00 and 20:00, normally spread over 14 weeks. Each study- unit is of 4 ECTS which involves between 20 to 28 contact hours.
Every Tuesday from 18:00-20:00 starting on 3rd October 2023
Pre-Requisite knowledge, skills and competences: Good command of English
Lectures in English
This Unit introduces trees from an ecological perspective, emphasising their importance from various aspects, outlining their ecological and social benefits. It also highlights the different types of trees, their botanical characteristics, their adaptability to the different habitats and their potential uses. Information on propagation, management and national and international protection will also be included.
This unit will be of benefit to create more public awareness on biodiversity, to those who are interested, directly or indirectly involved in tree education, propagation and management.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to appreciate, understand, identify indigenous trees and be more aware of the need for their protection and management.
The student will also be in a position to try and propagate indigenous trees, even on a commercial basis, besides being familiar with legal protection.
2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to be in a position to understand the importance of trees from an ecological and social aspect, their benefits, use, and management, and also if desired to propagate them.
When it comes to the environment there is a lack of political will
Alfred E Baldacchino
continued…
In the National Strategy for the Environment 2050, ERA lists close to 1,000 promises to deliver by 2050.
ERA confirms that Malta has a number of ecological terrestrial and marine Natura 2000 sites approved by the EU. These had to have a management plan by six years after accession. The EU granted an extension and financed the drawing up of such management plans, which EU subsequently approved. Most of these management plans are still not implemented such as those for Buskett, Comino, Ta’ Ċenċ and others.
Now ERA states that it has initiated a “revision process for the conservation objectives and measures for these sites”. Naturally, these have to be approved by the EU, meaning that Malta has failed to implement the management plans financed and approved by the EU, especially if these are watered down.
ERA promises that the management of invasive species “will be implemented”. EU regulation No. 1143/20-14 on invasive species forms part of the local legislation in toto. ERA has also published guidelines on the control of invasive species. Nothing can be changed from the EU regulations. Unless, of course, ERA wants to make them much stronger, which is very, very much doubtful.
ERA also states that “other impacts on habitat loss, the disruption of water processes and pollution regulations, the loss of Malta’s rural character, need to be better understood”. Without doubt, ERA has to understand the implementation and enforcing such measures in the national interest. In the meantime, ERA has endorsed some of their negative impacts when in company with its bedfellow, the PA.
Perhaps the first urgent action ERA should take is to stop the importation of exotic bees which are destroying local endemic bees. Photo: Times ofMalta/Shutterstock.com
The document also addresses pollinators, promising “a policy will be set up”. The problems facing pollinators, including bees, is the loss of natural habitat, such as garigue, and the uncontrolled spraying of herbicides and pesticides, some financed by the government and managed by local councils and official landscapers. So, ERA wants to “foster training and research to beekeepers”. Perhaps the first urgent action ERA should take is to stop the importation of exotic bees (invasive species) which are destroying local endemic bees.
Green spaces are also mentioned ad nauseam. What exactly does ERA mean by open spaces?– Alfred Baldacchino
Other promises regard “limitation of the maximum area of soil sealing” and “soil health assessments”. Another ERA failure when, with EU funds, most of the valley beds were all concreted over in Malta and in Gozo. Recently, photos on social media showed concrete mixers covering Wied ir-Ramla, in Gozo. ERA wants to wait till 2050 to take any action on this negative biodiversity impacts.
“The contribution of nature to our mental and physical well-being will also be studied, assessed and integrated into decision-making” and, then, “spending time and exercising in nature is known to benefit both mental and physical well-being”. Mismanagement of biodiversity in a professional way by ERA.
Light, noise and air pollution are also included. If ERA were to visit the Attard Central Link, close to San Anton Gardens, there is a long stretch of lighting from beneath the trees. This negative impact on biodiversity affects the micro habitat and nocturnal fauna and is also a nuisance to residents. What was the need for such expenses, except perhaps to lavishly spend EU funds while making some friends happy?
Studies on air pollution have been going on for a long time now, without any policies or legislation being implemented and enforced.
An achievement for ERA is that “Malta attends the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health organised by the World Health Organisation”. It would have been an achievement if the knowledge gained would have been implemented and enforced.
Green spaces are also mentioned ad nauseam. What exactly does ERA mean by open spaces? Perhaps new playing fields? Or perhaps a monstrous concrete building with monstrous steps and lifts over a car park, which are adorned by a green leaf or two and no trees and surrounded by traffic exhaust, especially from heavy vehicles?
“Zero waste to landfill” by 2050 has also been promised. There is little reference to liquid waste. The permitting authority has just approved the Għallis dump to rise by 15m to avoid a waste crisis, despite the visual impact. Seems 2050 is a long, long way away.
It is a well-known fact that primary education and secondary education students are well aware of the importance of biodiversity. Surprisingly this all disappears at tertiary level, like the air in a burst inflated balloon. Why?
Other promises regard tourism, population density, green facades, green walls, green roofs, front gardens and, surprisingly enough, “crowdfunding”.
ERA itself confirms that “the transposition of the EU Environmental Community Acquis into Maltese legislation is the most important driving force for regulatory policy intervention”. Should we have a public consultation before these are implemented.
What is urgently needed is a professional political will. Not only is there no political professional will but there is no will at all.
The involvement of qualified and experienced academics to give their input in the national interest is so lacking. But these do not say what ERA wants to hear because their involvement is professional.
The one good thing about this document is that today’s and future generations will have an official ERA- signed document showing why the environment is in such a pitiful state of destruction.
Alfred Baldacchino is a former MEPA assistant director.
One might ask what is the need for such public consultation when most of the strategies listed are already legal obligations of the EU Environment Acquis, as also transposed to the local legislation. In fact most, not all, of such national and international legal instruments are also referred to in the document itself.
Furthermore, other strategies listed are just cosmetic, and only show how far ERA is detached from the implementation of its obligations. To list such strategies for public consultation is just a poor effort from ERA.
The publication is either a smokescreen for ERA to hide its failures in implementing and enforcing such national and international obligations, or else to it wants to borrow time by procrastinating implementation to 2050.
By that time, if lack of environmental professionalism shown by ERA prevails, what is left of the environment would have been completely destroyed.
This time wasting exercise at the expense of the economic, social and ecological fabric of the Maltese islands is also confirmed by the percentages of the views of the general public who expressed their worries and the need for urgent implementation of such legal obligations.
The lowest percentage in favour of urgent action on seven stratyegic goals, as shown in the document, is 61 per cent; the highest is 93 per cent. This is an average of 77 per cent. So the public has already spoken on the urgent needs of such environmental action. (Source ERA 2022)
A number of eNGOs too have already expressed their vierws on such a waste of time.
Some of the cosmetic strategies, for example, include the pruning of trees in a professional way. Isn’t this already an ERA policy found in the Guidelines on Works involving Trees, which nobody pays any attention to, not even ERA?
One cosmetic strategy is the pruning of trees in a professional way. But isn’t this already an ERA policy? Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Does the setting up of a nursery for the propagation of indigenous trees need any public consultation. If ERA is conscious enough of the benefits of such measures it would long have implemented them without the need of any public consultation.
Who would oppose such measures that make a social, economic and ecologic contribution? It seems that ERA has doubts on these and want to procrastinate sine die with the excuse of public consultation.
ERA’s statement that birds listed in the EU Bird Directive “have shown an increasing or stable population, both in the short and long term” torpedoes the scientific approach of the document. There is no scientific reference to back up the statement, as there are in other ERA statements. This is far from the truth and only confirms ERA failure in this field.
ERA states that there is collaboration to support “the rehabilitation of injured native wildlife, such as turtles, hedgehogs and bats” There is also a rehabilitation centre for injured protected birds. It seems that ERA has a bird phobia, or is this a force majeure insertion?
Under every strategy there is a section on “What we’ve achieved”. Again, due to its bird phobia, ERA has ignored the fact that because of its lack of implementation and enforcement of the Birds Directive, Malta has been taken to the European Court of Justice. Quite an achievement for the Competent Authority!
The publication is either a smokescreen for ERA to hide its failures or it wants to borrow time by procrastinating implementation to 2050
“Nature and biodiversity considerations are being integrated in the national sectorial policies and economic sectors…” the document says, “such as… land use…”,”… and rural developments”.
If there was any doubt that ERA has hit rock bottom in its lack of will to professionally protect the environment, this is clearly a self-confession. The Permitting Authority (officially known as the Planning Authority) ERA’s bed partner, dishes out permits without any concern for the Country characteristics, let alone for the protection of the economic, ecological and social fabrics of the islands. And there were and still are instances when ERA, endorses these permits.
Such a statement shows that the script writer has no conscience, no ethics, no professionalism, and believes that ERA document will only be read by village idiots. But the intelligent reader today is not surprised by such official antics from ERA. Official statements torpedo the whole ERA document and completely renders it a laughing stock to the intelligent community of the islands. The writer must have been influenced by the Topper and Beano comics.
The ERA document has close to 1000 promises that “will” be achieved by 2050. When most of these strategies are legal obligations resulting from national and international obligations and ERA has almost completely distanced itself away from them, how can one be convinced that ERA can implement these 1000 promises which do not have any legal standing. It is a document of 1000 “wills”.
Key players that were involved in each strategic goal are included. Some important ones are left out from certain related strategies. One glaring omission is the Church Environment Commission. Was someone embarrassed to invite such entity?
ERA has published quite a number of guidelines, on trees, invasive species, landscaping, and other matters. But these are ignored by almost everybody, including ERA itself. This also convinces many that such a document is another futile exercise to deviate attention from ERA’s failure to rise to its responsibilities to protect our environment.
Il-Ġilbiena tas-serp – Lathyrus clymenum – Crimson pea
Alfred E Baldacchino
Fjura indiġena u komuni oħra li wieħed jista’ jiltaqa’ magħha d-Dwejra hija l-ġilbiena tas-serp. Din tħobb wesgħat miftuħa u niexfa, kif ukoll inħawi bil-ġebel u anki tikber mal-ġnub tal-għelieqi maħduma. Din tgħix għal staġun wieħed biss, u l-pjanti tas-sena ta’ wara jiddependu fuq iż-żerriegħa li tagħmel.
Il-magħseb tagħha jkun twil bejn 30 sa 100 mm. Ġieli tixxeblek bil-għajnuna ta’ weraq modifikati qishom spag li jduru ma’ oġġetti oħra.
Il-werqa tikber fuq il-magħsab fuq għonq wiesgha, dawk l-aktar qrib il-ħamrija jkunu dritti forma ta’ lanza, filwaqt li dawk aktar ‘l fuq ikollhom minn 2 sa 4 pari werqiet li kull waħda tkun minn 20 sa 60 mm twila u minn 6 sa 11-il mm wiesgħa.
Il-fjura tkun ta’ lewn aħmar karg u jkollha petala lelà qisa ġewnah, li tkun minn 15 sa 20 mm. Din tidher bejn Marzu sa Mejju.
Il-frotta, forma ta’ miżwed, tkun kannella, lixxa, minn 30 sa 70 mm twila u jkollha minn sa 5 sa 7 żerriegħa, lixxi u minn 5 sa 12-il mm wiesgħa. Meta l-frotta issir, tinfetaħ u tispara ż-żerriegħa ’l barra.
Il-ġilbiena tas-serp kienet tintuża kemm bħala għalf għall-bhejjem kif ukoll bħala ikel għan nies. Instabu ġarar bil-ġilbiena tas-serp fil-Greċja li bejn wieħed u ieħor kienu maħżuna 1,600 sena qabel Kristu. Fil-gżira ta’ Santorini fil-Greċja l-ġilbiena tas-serp titkabbar biex miż-żerriegħa jagħmlu platt li jsibuh bħala fava santorinis. Iż-żerriegħa msajra kienet titħallat mal-basal imqatta forma ta’ purée u tittiekel mal-basal imqatta, żejt taż-żebbuġa b’lummija magħsura fuqhom. Tant li dan it-tip ta’ ikel kien magħruf mill-Unjoni Ewropea u huwa meqjus bħala Denominazzjoni ta’ Oriġini Protetta (DOP).
It-Tengħud tas-siġra – Euphorbia dendroides – Tree spurge
Alfred E Baldacchino
It-tengħud tas-siġra hija pjanta indiġena għall-gżejjer Maltin. Hija tikber fis-selvaġġ mal-ġnub tal-widien, fix-xagħri, u tikber ukoll f’postijiet diffiċli biex jintlaħqu, l-aktar fi nħawi qrib il-baħar. Wieħed jista’ jiltaqa’ magħha anki fid-Dwejra. Minbarra f’Malta hija mifruxa sewwa madwar il-Mediterran.
It-tengħud tas-siġra togħla sa 2 metri. Hija pjanta ħorfija, jiġifieri, twaqqa’ l-weraq f’parti mis-sena. Din twaqqahom fis-sjaf meta torqod matul il-ġranet sħan minn Mejju sa ma tagħmel l-ewwel xita. Hekk kif tħoss ix-xita jibdew jonqbu l-weraq ħodor jagħtu fl-ikħal li jistgħu jkunu twal minn 25 sa 65 mm u wesgħin minn 3 sa 8 mm. Il-weraq jibdlu l-lewn tagħhom minn aħmar oranġjo sa aħmar dagħmi aktar ma joqrob is-sajf, sakemm jaqgħu kollha.
Il-fjura tat-tengħud tas-sġra hija safra u tidher minn Diċembru sa Mejju. Din ikun fiha 3 mm diametru. Meta ż-żerriegħa ssir, il-pjanta tisparaha ‘l barra. Din tinġarr min-nemel ’l bogħod mill-pjanta omm.
It-tengħud tas-siġra għandha bħal ħalib (latex) li minbarra li huwa velenuż, jirrita ’l-ġilda u wieħed irid joqgħod ħafna attent meta jersaq u jmiss ma’ din il-pjanta. Huwa perikoluż ħafna jekk dan jidħol fl-għajnejn. Dan il-likwidu jinstab fl-ispeċi kollha ta’ dan il-familja u huwa karatteristiku tagħhom. Kif joħroġ minn xi parti tal-pjanti jinxef kif iħoss l-arja. Minħabba f’hekk l-annimali li jirgħu jżommu ’l bogħod minnha.
Sa mill-qedem dan il-likwidu abjad ta’ din il-pjant kien jintuża fil-mediċina tradizzjonali, biex ifejjaq xi mard u anki biex inaffar l-insetti. Kien jintuża kontra xi tumur u felul fuq il-ġilda. Ilum dan qed jiġi studjat aktar bir-reqqa. L-isem spurge ġej mill-Inglilż u l-Franċiż qadim li jfisser tnaddaf, minħabba li din kienet tintuża bħala porga.
It-tengħud tas-siġra hija mħarsa bir-regolamenti Maltin.
Is-silla tal-mogħoż hija pjanta indiġena Maltija li wieħed jista’ jiltaqa’ magħha fid-Dwejra. Fil-ġżejjer Maltin hija komuni ħafna. Hija tikber f’postijiet fix-xemx u fi nħawi bi ftit ħamrija. Tinstab tikber ukoll madwar il-Mediterran.
Il-fjura tagħha hija vjola mitfi u tidher bejn Jannar u Ġunju. Bejn 10 u 15-il fjura jikbru ħdejn xulxin fuq għonq li jkun fih minn 1 sa 2 mm. Dawn l-għenuq jaqbdu ma’ magħseb li jkun minn 5 sa 20 ċm twil. Kull petala tal-fjura tkun minn 12 sa 14-il mm.
Meta l-fjura tiddakkar, tgħaqqad il-frotta li tkun ovali bejn 4 sa 5 mm twila ġejja għall-ponta.
Iż-żerriegħa jkun fiha 4 mm.
Il-werqa tagħha għandha riħa ta’ qatran. Dan minħabba numru ta’ kimika bioloġika li tinstab f’din il-pjanta.
Il-werqiet għandhom ix-xifer tagħhom lixx mingħajr ebda qatgħat u jkunu minn 2 sa 5 mm.
Is-silla tal-mogħoż tintuża kemm bħala għalf għall-bhejjem, biex tirrestawra ħamrija mniġġsa minn xi kimika, u anki biex tħejji l-ħamrija għall-pjanti oħra. Barra min hekk tintuża għall-għanijiet mediċinali, tant li f’xi pajjiżi din il-pjanta tinħasad għal dan il-għan.
Il-partijiet kollha tal-pjanta jintużaw biex itaffu l-brim fl-istonku. Il-weraq miġbura friski jintużaw kontra d-deni u xi infezzjonijiet oħra, minħabba l-kimika bioloġika li din il-pjanta għandha. Ma għandniex xi ngħidu li f’xi pajjiżi, imma mhux f’Malta, tintuża wkoll bħala pjanta ornamentali.
Fil-Madejra din il-pjanta tintuża biex tirrestawra x-xahar.
Il-qaqoċċ tax-xewk hija pjanta li tikber biss fil-Mediterran. Hija indiġena wkoll għall-pajjiżna fejn hija komuni. Din tħobb ambjent bil-ġebel jew mitluq kif ukoll wesgħat niexfa, l-aktar b’ħamrija taflija.
Il-qaqoċċ tax-xewk jogħla minn 20 sa 150 ċm fuq magħseb li jkun miksi bis-suf, u jkollu fetħa ta’ madwar 60 ċm.
Il-werqa tkun mal 35 ċm wiesgħa u 50 ċm twila, ta’ kulur aħdar sabiħ u b’kisja muswafa matta minn fuq u bajdanija minn taħt. Din tkun iebsa u b’saħħita u tinħass kemxejn qisa tal-ġilda. Matulha jkollha numru ta’ qatgħat ovali, u jkollha xewk isafar u iebes li jkun minn 15 sa 35 mm twil fit-truf tagħha. Il-werqa l-aktar qrib il-ħamrija tkun imqabbda mal-magħseb fuq għonq, filwaqt li dawk aktar il-fuq jaqbdu mal-magħseb mingħajr għonq.
Il-fjura qabel tiftaħ tkun imħarsa minn numru ta’ granfi li jkunu ovali bhal bajda twila minn 45 sa 60 mm u wiesgħa minn 40 sa 55 mm, li jħaddnu l-fjura qabel tiftaħ u li jispiċċaw f’xewka li tkun minn 10 sa 50 mm twila u minn 2 sa 6 mm ħoxna wara li tiftaħ il-fjura.
Il-fjura tkun ta’ lewn ikħal jgħati fil-vjola, u jkollha fetħa minn 5 sa 10 ċm diameter. Iż-żerriegħa tkun kannella mtektka u tleqq u tkun minn 6 sa 8 mm twila u minn sa 3 sa 4 mm wiesgħa. Fit-tarf tagħha jkollha troffa xahar li jkun fiha minn 25 sa 40 mm tul.
Fi żminijiet Griegi, Rumani u Persjani, u anki fl-Ewropa tal-lum kienet popolari ħafna għall-ikel tant li anki llum għadha tiġi kkultivata fi Franza, fi Spanja, fil-Portugal u fl-Italja. Il-granfi u l-qalba tal-fjura qabel tinfetaħ huma l-partijiet li jittieklu.
Fil mediċina tradizzjonali, il-weraq tal-qaqoċċ tax-xewk kienu jintużaw kontra l-problemi tal-fwied, tal-marrara u tal-frixa.
Il-Ħobbejża tar-raba’ – Malva sylvestris – Common mallow
Alfred E Baldacchino
Pjanta indiġena u komuni oħra li ssebbaħ id-Dwejra hija l-ħobbejża tar-raba’. Din il-pjanta tkun imlibbsa b’ħafna fjuri ta’ kulur vjola jgħajjat. Tista’ togħla fuq zokk dritt sa 150cm, għalkemm il-friegħi tagħha jistgħu jinfirxu ċatti fuq l-art. Tinstab tikber ukoll fil-mergħat, u anki f’għelieqi mhux maħduma.
Il-werqa tal-ħubbejża tar-raba’ mhumiex dejjem kollha l-istess fid-daqs. Jistgħu jkunu forma ta’ kilwa, jew inkella kważi tondi, ċatti qishom qalb. Imma bejn wieħed u ieħor forma ta’ id bi 3 sa 7 qatgħat qishom swaba. Dawn ikun fihom minn 2 sa 4 ċm twal, u minn 5 sa 10 ċm diametru. Il-werqa jkollha kisja ta’ xahar ħerġin min-nofsha. Minn taħt ikollha vini mqabbża.
Il-frotta tkun minn 5 sa 6 mm diametru. Iż-żerriegħa hija kananella jew kannella ħadranija meta ssir u tkun 2.5 mm twila u wiesgħa, b’diametru ta’ minn 5 sa 7 mm.
Il-ħobbejża tar-raba’ kienet tintuża sewwa biex iddgħajjef l-uġigħ. Il-werqa tagħha kienet tintuża bħala ġbara fuq xi ferita. Barra minhekk il-werqa kienet ukoll titqiegħed f’ilma jagħli biex isir it-te. Iż-żerriegħa tagħha kienet titiekel.
Il-Kummissjoni Ġermaniża dwar il-mediċina mill-pjanti tapprova l-użu tal-ħubbejża tar-raba’ kontra s-sogħla, il-bronkiter, l-infjammazzjoni fil-ħalq u l-griżmejn.
Mill-pjanta u mill-frotta jittieħdu lwien krema, sofor u ħodor. Anki l-weraq jintużaw kontra l-ġdim u t-tingiż tal-insetti.
Barra mill-użu mediċinali, kemm il-fjuri kif ukoll il-weraq jintużaw biex minnhom jittieħed iż-żejt ifuh.
Ħbula, drappijiet u karti kienu wkoll isiru minn din il-pjanta.
Fexfiex tal-irdum – Hypericum aegypticum – Shrubby St. John’s wort
Alfred E Baldacchino
Il-fexfiex tal-irdum hija waħda mill-mijiet ta’ pjanti indiġeni Maltin li tinstab tikber frekwenti f’pajjiżna. L-isem xejntifiku tagħha ġej mill-Grieg. Kien hemm drawwa fil-qedem li l-fjuri tagħha kienu jitpoġġew fuq xi ekona jew stampa fid-djar biex ibiegħdu l-ħażen.
Din il-pjanta insibuha tikber imħaddna mal-irdumijeit u xi blat ieħor qrib il-baħar, kif ukoll f’xi widien ħdejn il-baħar. Fi nħawi miftuħa għar-riħ, il-fexfiex tal-blat tikber imgeddsa ma’ xulxin u tifforma bħal tapit, għalkemm ma togħliex aktar minn 20 sa 30 cm. Imma mal-irdumijiet tista’ tkun 2m għolja. Hija għandha numru ta’ friegħi ħerġin miz-zokk ewlieni, u kull waħda minnhom ikollha fjura żgħira.
Il-fjura hija ta’ kulur isfar u kull fjura tikber għalija waħedha u ma jkollha l-ebda għonq li bih taqbad mal-magħseb. Din tkun minn 5 sa 10 mm diamteru. Il-fjura tidher minn Diċembru sa Lulju, u xi kultant anki aktar tard.
Il-frotta tal-fexfiex tal-blat tkun forma ta’ ċilindru minn 3 sa 3.5 mm wiesgħa sa minn 5 sa 7 mm twila. Iż-żerriegħa hija kannella skura u bejn wieħed u ieħor 1.5 mm twila.
Il-werqa tagħha, ta’ kulur aħdar, hija ovali u lixxa, minn 3 sa 10 mm twila u minn 1 sa 5 mm wiesgħa. Tinħass qisa tal-ġilda u ma għandha l-ebda kisja ta’ suf jew xahar. Il-werqa tikber waħda quddiem l-oħra fuq il-magħseb.
Instab li żejt naturali mehud minn din dil-pjanta kellu effett moderat fuq batterja fil-ġisem.
Fil-gżejjer Maltin il-fexfiex tal-blat hija mhedda u għalhekk hija mnissla fil-Ktieb l-Aħmar tal-Gżejjer Maltin. Madankollu mhix imħarsa bil-liġi kullimkien.
Ix-xewk abjad – Galactites tomentosa– Mediterranean thistle
Alfred E. Baldacchino
Ix-xewk abjad hija pjanta indiġena għall-ġżejjer Maltin. Tinstab tikber ukoll fil-pajjiżi madwar il-Mediterran. L-isem xjentifiku tagħha ġej mill-Greek u mil-Latin. Galactites bil-Greek tfisser ‘ħalib’ marbuta mas-suf folt abjad li jiksi l-magħseb u l-weraq. L-isem tomentosa bil-Latin tfisser sufi.
Hija tikber komuni ħafna fil-gżejjer Maltin fuq magħseb dritt u twil madwar metru, li jinfetaħ f’numru ta’ friegħi aktar il-fuq. Tħobb ħafna postijiet fis-xemx u tikber f’ambjenti mqallba u mitluqa, kif ukoll mal-ġnub tal-mogħdijiet.
Il-fjura ta’xewk abjad hija bajda u tidher bejn Marzu sa Ġunju. Ikun fiha diametru ta’ 3 ċm. Il- fjura hija dika, jiġifieri jkollha kemm id-dakar (il-parti riproduttiva raġel) kif ukoll il-kwejjes (il-parti riproduttiva mara) fl-istess fjura. Il-frotta tgħaqqad bejn Awissu u Septembru. Iż-żerriegħa jkollha troffa bajdanija biex tgħinha tinfirex ‘l bogħod mill-pjanta omm bir-riħ.
Il-werqa hija twila u ħadra li tikber fuq għonq żgħir mqabbad mal-magħseb, qisa lanza, bi dbabar bojod. Minn taħt ikollha kisja bajdanija sufija matta. It-truf tal-werqa jkollha xewk iebes.
Ix-xewk abjad tittiekel, kif ukoll tintuża għall-għanijiet mediċinali l-aktar kontra l-ġbid tal-muskoli fl-istonku u fl-intestina. Tintuża wkoll bħala ingwent għall-irritazzjonijiet fil-ġilda.
Il-fjura tax-xewk abjad hija mfitex ħafna minn naħal.
ERA guidelines were flagrantly ignored. What exactly is the regulator there for?
The mutilated trees in Senglea ahead of tomorrow’s feast of Our Lady of the Nativity. Photo: Facebook
It has now become customary that, with the advent of the feast of Our Lady of the Nativity at Senglea on September 8, trees are horribly mutilated and butchered to accommodate a banner, artificial ivy and a papier-mâché effigy and, obviously, to give a better view of the statue leaving and entering the parish church.
One would be justified to ask: if the trees were not butchered, would Our Lady of the Nativity have been displeased or angry? Has the butchering of the trees in question contributed anything toward a better spiritual respect for and adherence to our religion?
Couldn’t the banners and papier-mâché effigy have been moved a couple of metres to save the trees from being butchered? Can the Church authorities intervene to stop this yearly butchering of trees, also in the light of Pope Francis’s encyclical letter on the environment? Or has Pope Francis’s spiritual letter Laudato Si’ been stopped at the Senglea gates?
Are these external celebrations contributing to half-empty churches during spiritual functions inside the church? Do the Church authorities in Malta approve the destruction or butchering of the Lord’s creation to accommodate a banner in honour of Our Lady of the Nativity?
There was once a surprising reply from a representative of the Catholic Church in Malta: things which occur outside church buildings are not the responsibility of the Church! Can somebody then explain why there is a lot of preaching against adultery, theft and murder? These do not occur inside churches, so far as one is aware.
It seems that the Franco-American literary critic, essayist, philosopher, novelist and educator George Steiner was near the truth when he wrote: “The universal religion, for the majority of homo sapiens, is none other than football.”
In January 2019, the Environment and Resources Authority published its Guidelines on Works Involving Trees. These guidelines clearly state that:
“Pruning from spring through summer shall be avoided due to effects on the health of the tree and insect or disease problems.
“Pruning during late spring and summer or during flowering shall be avoided.
“Appropriate pruning measures should aim to first prune for safety, then for health of the tree, and finally for aesthetics (achieving the desirable natural tree form).
If ERA feels comfortable granting a permit for the butchering of trees against its own guidelines, how can it expect others to protect biodiversity?– Alfred Baldacchino
“Pruning carried out on branches larger than 5 cm in diameter is considered as hard pruning. This form of pruning should be avoided by long-term maintenance and care of trees such as through regular pruning, and should only be carried out for reasons of safety and health of the tree. Hard pruning for aesthetic reasons shall be avoided altogether.
“Exceptions arise when there are hazards on the tree itself or other specimens, hazards to the public, vehicles, buildings and/or other cases as determined and approved through a permit.
“Chainsaws should only be used when branches are larger than 10 cm in diameter and by qualified and experienced individuals.”
Now if one looks at the photos of trees opposite the Senglea church published by Times of Malta and on social media one can see the irresponsible, unprofessional butchering of the trees, all against the ERA Guidelines on Works Involving Trees and with a permit from ERA itself, one would assume.
If ERA feels comfortable granting a permit for the butchering of trees against its own guidelines, how can it expect third parties to respect the guidelines and protect biodiversity in general?
Was any Church authority or representative’s influence brought to bear to obtain a permit for such butchering?
Is the driver at the helm of ERA unaware of the guidelines issued by his ‘competent authority’? This has also happened in it-Tokk, Gozo, a few weeks ago. Just to accommodate a banner!
These trees were butchered with a blessing and legal permit from ERA, the authority which is rarely on the side of those who want to protect biodiversity in line with national and EU obligations, despite having a professor from the University of Malta at its helm.
If ERA were something of the past, and today there was no ERA things would not be much worse regarding environmental matters.
Alfred Baldacchino is a former assistant director of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
Il-Bebuna tal-baħar – Anthemis urvilleana – Maltese Sea Chamomille
Alfred E. Baldacchino
Il-bebuna tal-baħar mhux biss hija indiġena għall-Gżejjer Maltin, imma hija endemika, jiġifieri ma tinstab tikber imkien aktar fid-dinja ħlief fil-gżejjer Maltin.
Hija tikber fuq numru ta’ friegħi li jinfirxu mal-art miz-zokk nofsani u li jogħlew ‘l fuq mit-tarf tagħhom. Il-werqa tagħha hija ħoxna li minn taħt ikollha numru mdaqqas ta’ tikkek trasparenti. Il-bebuna tal-baħar għandha riħa tfuh. Il-werqa tikber imtarġa waħda fuq kull naħa tal-magħseb.
Il-ġemgħa tal-fjuri f’għamla ta’ bukkett nofs tond ma jkollhomx kisja muswafa, għalkemm il-magħseb ikollu kisja ta’ xahar iebes u wieqaf.
Il-fjura tagħha hija bajda u tidher bejn Frar u Mejju. Din tkun f’għamla ta’ platt ċatt. Il-frotta tagħha jkollha żerriegħa waħda lixxa.
Il-bebuna tal-baħar għandha wkoll kimiċi bioloġiċi li jintużaw fil-mediċina kif ukoll fi żjut ifuħu. Hija frekwenti f’pajjiżna u tinstab tikber ukoll fid-Dwejra. Hija pjanta salvaġġa mhedded u għalhekk hija mniżżla fil-Ktieb l-Aħmar tal-Gżejjer Maltin, għalkemm mhux imħarsa bil-liġi kullimkien.
L-għadiba hija waħda mis-siġar indiġeni Maltin li nsibu tikber qrib in-nixxigħat fil-gżejjer Maltin. U ma jistax jonqos li din tinstab tikber ukoll fil-Qattara fid-Dwejra f’ambjent naturali adattat għaliha miftuh għax xemx, imkenni mir-riħ u qrib ilma. l-għadiba tista’ tilħaq għoli ta’ madwar 3 m. għalkemm tista’ togħla sa 7.5 m. Din tikber fuq zokk li jista’ jkollu diametru ta’ madwar 20 ċm, iżda jista’ jkollha aktar minn zokk wieħed.
Il-werqa tal-għadiba hija magħmula minn numru ta’ werqiet żgħar minn 1.5 sa 10 ċm twal, bl-itwal waħda fil-ponta, jikbru f’forma qisha pala ta’ id. Minn dawn jista’ jkun hemm minn ħamsa sa disgħa, kollha ġejjin għall-ponta. Kollha għandhom riħa ħelwa, minn taħt ikollhom kisja suf żgħir abjad, waqt li jkunu lixxi u ħodor minn fuq.
L-għadiba hija ħorfija, jiġifieri, tinża’ mill-weraq matul ix-xhur xitwin. Minn Mejju sa Settembru tkun imżejna bil-fjuri. Dawn jistgħu jkunu jew vjola, roża, jew saħansitra bojod. Dawn ikunu mgeddsa ma’ xulxin f’bukkett madwar magħseb li jista’ jkun twil sa 17-il ċm. Il-fjura wkoll għandha riħa ħelwa u tiġbed lejha numru ta’ insetti fosthom friefet u naħal.
Wara li l-fjura tiġi mdakkra, tgħaqqad il-frotta. Din tkun għawsa tonda u iebsa ta’ lewn kannella sewdieni. Ġo fiha jkun hemm erba’ żerriegħa.
l-għadiba ġieli tissejjah bżar tal-patrijiet. Dan għaliex, anki kif jixhed l-isem xjentifiku u dak Ingliż, għandha karatteristiċi afrodisiaki. Kienet tintuża bħala mediċina tradizzjonali għax kienet tikkalma l-ġibdiet sesswali ta’ dawk li kienu jixorbu te magħmul miż-żerriegħa u l-frotta tagħha. Illum il-ġurnata nsibu mediċina magħmula miż-żerriegħa u l-frotta tal-għadiba li tintuża minn nisa biex tgħin fis-sistema riproduttiva tagħhom.
L-għadiba hija mħarsa bir-regolamenti tal-ħarsien tas-siġar fil-gżejjer Maltin.
Is-Sempreviva ta’ Għawdex – Helichrysum melitense – Maltese Everlasting
Alfred E. Baldacchino
Mingħajr ebda dubju, id-Dwejra hija sinjura u mżejna bil-wirt naturali li jagħmilha wieħed mill-postijiet l-aktar importanti fil-gżejjer Maltin. L-ambjenti differenti li jinstabu fid-Dwejra kollha joffru kenn u ambjent maħluq għal numru ta’ speċi ta’ flora u ta’ fawna, kollha indiġeni, uħud endemiċi, jew rari, kif ukoll xi wħud mhedda. Kien minħabba f’hekk li l-Unjoni Ewropea għarfet l-importanza għaliha ta’ dan il-wirt u ddikjarata bħala Natura 2000, fejn l-ispeċi li jinstabu fiha huma kollha mħarsa bil-liġi.
Illum sejrin naraw ftit, veru ftit, speċi ta’ flora li wieħed jista jiltaqa’ magħhom fid-Dwejra.
Is-Sempreviva ta’ Għawdex – Helichrysum melitense – Maltese Everlasting
Fost it-18-il fjura selvaġġa endemika li jinstabu fil-gżejjer Maltin, insibu s-sempreviva ta’ Għawdex. Bħala endemika ma tinstabx imkien aktar fid-dinja, imma fil-gżejjer Maltin biss.
Barra minn hekk, fil-gżejjer Maltin tinstab tikber biss fid-Dwejra, f’San Lawrenz. Insibuha fuq il-Blata tal-Ġeneral fid-Dwejra u mal-uċuħ weqfin tal-irdumijet tal-madwar fuq il-baħar u fuq ix-xagħri biswit.
Is-Sempreviva ta’ Għawdex hija arbuxell li tħobb ix-xemx u li togħla minn 30 sa 70 ċm. Il-werqa tkun forma ta’ lanza żgħira dritta ’l fuq u jkollha bħal xagħar li jtiha d-dehra fiddiena. Meta tixxarrab tidher ħadra. Dan ix-xagħar fin jgħin lill-pjanta mill-irjiħat qawwija u anki minn nixfa tas-sajf.
Il-fjura hija safra forma ta’ bukkett żgħir li jkun fih numru ta’ fjuretti tawwalin żgħar li għandhom riħa ta’ kari (curry). Dawn ilibbsu l-pjanta bejn Mejju sa Ġunju.
Il-pjanta hija mhedda kemm mill-ħsarat fl-ambjent naturali tagħha, kif ukoll bl-attivitajiet mhux maniġġati li jsiru fil-madwar.
Minħabba f’hekk hija mħarsa kemm nazzjonali kif ukoll internazzjonali, fejn fost oħrajn: “ebda persuna ma għandha deliberament tiġbor, tikkollezzjona, taqta’, taqla’ mill-għeruq, tiddistruġġi, jew tikkaġuna ħsara b’xi mod”. Hija wkoll imniżżla fil-Kiteb l-Aħmar ta’ Malta (Red Data Book).
Internazzjonalment hija mħarsa mill-Konvenzjoni ta’ Berna tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa, kif ukoll mid-Direttiva tal-Ambjent Naturali tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Hija wkoll meqjusa mhedda mill-Unjoni Internazzjonali għall-Ħarsien tal-Natura (IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature).
Barra minhekk l-ambjent naturali tagħha fid-Dwejra huwa ddikjarat bħala Wesa’ Speċjali ta’ Konservazzjoni (SAC – Special Area of Conservation) biex b’hekk kemm il-pjanta nnifisha, kif ukoll l-ambjent naturali tagħha jkunu mħarsa. Il-Blata tal-Ġeneral, hija wkoll Riserva Naturali, fejn ħadd ma jista’ jitla’ ħlief għall-għanijiet xjentifiċi.
Comino is an EU Natura 2000 site. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Comino is an EU Natura 2000 site. Locally, this has been described as the “most ambitious initiative ever undertaken to conserve nature”, where “a close and constant cooperation and integration of local actors and stakeholders will be absolutely necessary”.
Natura 2000 sites are an EU-wide network of nature conservation areas, established to ensure the survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened terrestrial and marine species and habitats for present and future generations.
EU obligations were transposed by Legal Notice 257 of 2003. One such obligation is the drawing up of management plans, which “should include management, planning, supervision and monitoring measures…”
EU obligations do not aim to stop economic activities altogether but, rather, to set the parameters by which these can take place while safeguarding Europe’s biodiversity. But it must be ensured “that activities are avoided that could disturb the species or deteriorate the habitats for which the site was designated”.
The competent authority, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), has obtained funds from the EU, the Council of Europe and also from the UK in connection with drawing up such management plans according to article 6 of the EU Habitat Directive. A total of €1.3 million were granted by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to meet such an obligation: to establish management plans, legal provisions and increase awareness. The project was launched in January 2013.
In a press conference, then minister José Herrera described the occasion “as an important one and an opportunity to celebrate biodiversity and our rich ecosystems”. The minister added: “Through these management plans and conservation orders, we will now be in a position not only to protect our natural heritage but also to create more green jobs and attract further investment.”
It was also stated that the project will help Malta fulfil its EU and international commitments by informing, educating and encouraging ownership and building momentum for the implementation of the EU Natura 2000 network.
Comino and the adjacent islets are listed as a Special Area of Conservation of International Importance, as per Subsidiary Legislation 549.44 dated December 7, 2006.
The management plans for Comino and its adjacent islets, and ERA’s website, highlight the actions needed to be taken: infrastructure to meet the site’s ecological requirements; tourism at Blue Lagoon to be managed in harmony with site’s conservation needs; rural tourism and outdoor recreation to be in synchrony with site’s conservation needs.
As documented, “the site will also enjoy full legal protection under national regulations and policies to ensure that its habitats and biodiversity continue to thrive. The sea bordering the site forms part of the Żona fil-Baħar fil-Grigal ta’ Malta Natura 2000 Marine Protected area.”
Govt. Notice 682 of 2018 declaring the sea round Comino and its islets as a Marine Protected Area
The management plan for Comino also addresses the impact of the seemingly slowly increasing number of vehicles (including quad bikes and kiosks), the need to manage the Blue Lagoon area, the need to prepare and implement a tourism carrying capacity assessment at the Blue Lagoon and also provide recommendations for management, including assessing seasonal variability of the number of tourists, landings of tourists by ferries, entrance fee-options and zoning.
If ERA acted on the EU legislation and implemented the management plans there would not be any problems on Comino today – Alfred Baldacchino
Why ERA is so useless in rising up to its responsibilities is indeed a mystery. Could it be that they are suffering from a laissez-faire syndrome? Could it be that it has its hands tied politically? Could it be because its board is unaware of its responsibility, especially vis-à-vis its EU obligations? Whatever the reason, ERA is an impotent authority, without any vision, without objectives, without any feeling for national and international biodiversity heritage.
If only Malta had a professional body, well informed of its responsibilities and committed to implement and enforce its national and international obligations! But it seems that the only feather in ERA’s cap is boasting about the hundreds of permits it has issued to destroy indigenous trees and the never-ending studies of other environmental infractions brought to its attention.
If ERA acted on the EU legislation and implemented the management plans that were supposed to have been implemented six months* after EU accession, there would not be any problems on Comino today.
It seems that one of the ERA’s main aims is to produce colourful publications and online reports tailor-made for EU consumption and then embark on direct or tacit, decisions the majority of which are aimed at the village idiots.
The public has been officially promised that the environment is a “priority”. ERA actions, or lack of actions, are diametrically opposed to such a promise, unless, of course, ‘priority’ is taken to mean priority in environmental exploitation or to please some budding oligarchists. What is ERA’s ‘priority’?
The run on Comino for economic gain is one instance that clearly shows ERA’s impotence and failure in its responsibility towards the public. It has the necessary professional reports, the necessary resources, the necessary legal backing, the EU obligations but no inkling at all of any will.
I came across a quote by American writer and political activist Upton Sinclair. When I read and see what is happening in this EU member state, I cannot but ruminate about this saying: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
* errata corrige – ‘six months’ should read ‘six years’.
Alfred Baldacchino is a former MEPA assistant director.
Soċjetà Filarmonika Nicolò Isouard – Festa Santa Marija – Mosta
15 Awissu 2022
Il-Fidloqqom – Boragio officinalis – Borage Alfred E Baldacchino
Il-fidloqqom hija pjanta indiġena Maltija li tikber komuni fis-selvaġġ. Insibuha fil-mogħdijiet, f’postijiet mitluqa u anki qrib għelieqi maħduma. Hija tħobb inħawi fix-xemx jew inkella bi ftit dell. Il-pjanta togħla minn 15 sa 100 ċm, fuq zokk dritt u b’saħħtu.
Il-werqa tal-fidloqqom hija ta’ lewn aħdar skur, u tkun minn 3 sa 8 ċm wiesgħa u minn 5 sa 15-il ċm twila. Din tkun ovali tixbah lanza, kemmxejn ġejja għall-ponta, ratba u mmerqa, għalkemm aktar ma tikber aktar issir iebsa. Kemm-il werqa kif ukoll il-magħseb ikunu muswafa, b’suf żgħir u iebes.
Il-werqa tikber imtarġa fuq kull naħa tal-magħseb. Dawk il-weraq li jkunu l-aktar qrib tal-art jaqbdu mal-magħseb b’għonq qasir. Dawn jikbru ffullati madwar il-magħseb f’forma ta’ ċirku. Mill-band l-oħra, dawk aktar ’il fuq mill-art, jkunu mqabbda mal-magħseb mingħajr ebda għonq.
Il-fjura tal-fidloqqom, hija forma ta’ stilla, u tidher minn Diċembru sa Mejju. Din tkun madwar 2.5 ċm diametru u jkollha ħames weraq imlewna (petali) kemxejn dejqa forma ta’ triangolu ġej għall-ponta. Il-fjura tkun kaħla tgħajjat.
Il-pjanta tkun miksija b’dawn il-fjuri li jikbru fit-tarf tal-magħseb f’bukkett mhux iffullat. Xi kultant jinstabu xi pjanti li jkollhom il-fjuri roża jew bojod, għalkemm dawn ma tantx huma komuni.
Il-fjura tal-fidloqqom hija dika, jiġifieri jkollha kemm id-dakar (l-organu sesswali raġel tal-fjura) kif ukoll il-kwejjes (l-organu sesswali mara) fl-istess fjura. Id-dakar jidher fin-nofs u jkun ta’ lewn iswed. Il-fjura tal-fidloqqom tiġbed lejha numru ta’ insetti dakkara fosthom in-naħal.
Meta l-fjura tiddakkar, tgħaqqad il-frotta li tkun 5 mm fid-daqs, li meta ssir u tinxef, tkun ta’ kulur kannella skur. Din tinfetah biex tfarfar iż-żerriegħa li jkollha ġo fiha, li tkun ovali u tawwalija.
Tradizzjonalment il-fidloqqom kienet tiġi mkabbra kemm għall-ikel kif ukoll biex tintuża bħala mediċina, għalkemm illum din titkabbar biss biex jittieħed iż-żejt miż-żerriegħa tagħha.
Il-weraq żgħir u artab tagħha kienu jinġabru matul is-sena biex jintużaw friski mal-inslata. Dan għaliex għandha togħma qawwija u friska tixbah dik tal-ħjar u din it-togħma tinħass sewwa ma’ dixxijiet bil-bajd, anki fis-soppop u fi zlazi oħra. Il-werqa tista’ wkoll tiġi priservata fil-ħall. Fil-Ġermanja tintuża biex jagħmlu zalza ħadra mill-weraq miġbura friski.
Fl-Italja, il-fidloqqom ta’ spiss tintuża mħallta mal-mili fir-ravjul.
Il-fjuri koħol tagħha jittieklu wkoll u jintużaw biex isebbħu platti tal-ħaxix, platti bil-ġobon, f’xi zlazi, u anki f’xi taħlit ta’ xorb, l-aktar imkessah fis-silġ. Il-werqa tal-fidloqqom ma għandiex tittiekel f’numru kbir għax tista’ issir tossika.
Minħabba l-ammont ta’ aċti astrinġenti u kimika bioloġika oħra li għandha, il-fidloqqom tintuża wkoll fil-mediċina. Te magħmul mill-fidloqqom jintuża biex inaddaf id-demm, kif ukoll kontra l-inflammazzjoni fil-ħalq. Fi studji xjentifiċi ta’ dan l-aħħar, instab li ż-żejt tal-fidloqqom jgħin biex itaffi l-ħakk fil-ġilda, bħal nħidu aħna, fil-għonq, fil-polz, fid-dirgħajn, u fis-saqajn.
“This book is written and brought together in honour of an ample and selfless lifework. The first part aims to provide readers with some understanding of who Guido Lanfranco is, and what his main contributions are. Part Two consists of nineteen chapters, each based on original research and written especially for this book. While may of the authors are scholars and leaders in their fields, the chapters are written in an accessible style and with the non-specialist reader in mind. In keeping with Lanfranco’s own interest, the two areas covered are the biological sciences and popular culture.” The Editor Mark Anthony Falzon.
Chapter 1 – From negative appreciation to commercial exploitation
Alfred E. Baldacchino
The first people to show an interest and study the wild flora and fauna of the Maltese Islands were usually doctors or lawyers. They contributed to the scientific study of species by collecting them for taxonomic purposes – the accepted and productive method at the time. Lists of species recorded in the Maltese Islands were drawn up. Today we can, thanks to the efforts of such pioneers, know how the recorded species fared, how many of them were wrongly identified, and how many have become rare or locally extinct.
At the time, there was little, if any, popular education on nature. Closer to the present, this kind of interest became known as ‘nature study’. Besides the taxonomic work, there was now a new approach: popular education. Among the pioneers in the field were Guido Lanfranco and Anthony Valletta, both of whom were trained teachers. The work on the taxonomic lists went on, but it was coupled with the production of didactic material that provided scientific data on species and their habitats. This was a challenging and difficult first step, and one that called for determination, courage, vision, and time. The work was mainly done on a voluntarily basis, with little if any state support.
Slowly but surely, these first efforts began to bear fruit. Schoolchildren and young people generally responded readily, and in many cases understood the need for science and conservation of wild animal and plant species. In the early 1960s, a number of ENGOs (environmental nongovernmental organisations) were set up that had as their aims the study and conservation of, and education on, the natural heritage. Two of these were the Natural History Society of Malta (later the Society for the Study and Conservation of Nature, eventually Nature Trust) and the Malta Ornithological Society (later BirdLife Malta), both of which were founded in 1962.
Their membership grew encouragingly, which made available more time, energy, and resources. Once again, most of the work was done by volunteers. The output of these societies included publications. The early cyclostyled materials may look rudimentary and unattractive by today’s standards, but their content is invaluable and a testimony to the dedication, effort, and productivity of voluntary scientific and educational work.
Besides these publications, popular articles were written in the press, and programmes aired on radio (Rediffusion, at the time) and television. As with every new idea, individuals whose hearts were in the right place often ended up sidetracked.
I remember how, every Friday afternoon before leaving school, we would be asked to do our bit for the appreciation of nature. We were encouraged to spend our weekends collecting frogs, tadpoles, and butterflies. Many of us obliged and, every Monday morning, the collected natural treasures would be displayed on a small table in the corner of the classroom; we called this the ‘nature table’.
The table is still vivid in my mind: jam jars full of greenish water in which tadpoles struggled for air and swam in circles, frogs trying to figure out why they could not swim through glass, and butterflies, pinned on pieces of cork and fluttering as they tried to get airborne. Naturally these were replaced by new stock every Monday. It is not that easy to teach, sometimes at great expense, when one starts from scratch.
But what was a negative appreciation was gradually replaced with a positive, and eventually a more focused, scientific, and professional, approach. The voluntary efforts of the past are still relevant, and still needed to safeguard our natural environment, our biodiversity, and the natural heritage which future generations have loaned us to share and enjoy, and eventually to give back to them. In this case, the result was that some of those who had been taught to appreciate nature as schoolchildren, eventually took up the field at university. There was also an increase in non-formal education, though this was still mainly run on voluntary basis.
Directly or otherwise, one of the consequences was the creation of a department for the protection of the environment, later upgraded to a ministry for the protection of the environment. With respect to formal conservation, birds were the first to be protected in 1872, admittedly more for public safety reasons than anything else. The first indigenous trees were effectively protected in 1933, under the Antiquities Act of 1925. There was no legislation which enabled the protection of trees or biodiversity until 1991, when the Environment Protection Act came in force.
And it was this Act which opened the way for the protection of biodiversity. Time pass, things change. Problems were overcome and others raised their heads. And so it is with nature study, nowadays better referred to as the study of biodiversity. Malta’s accession to the European Union in 2004 consolidated the efforts, studies, teachings, and determination of the voluntary work undertaken since decades earlier. It was also instrumental in the transposition of legislation regarding the management, monitoring, taking, keeping dead or alive, trade, and protection of biodiversity, which is part of the biological and abiological heritage of our country.
At least on paper, our legislation regarding biodiversity was brought in line with that of the European Union. A great achievement, if one could say the same regarding enforcement. Regrettably, enforcement is still at the stage of the nature-tables in classrooms. The difference is that, while the nature-table was the result of negative appreciation, today’s situation is the result of the political exploitation of those who still do not appreciate biodiversity, and who are parochially entrenched in negative values.
Voluntary efforts are today stronger and more scientifically-based, and enjoy the backing of international principles and legislation. There are also more nongovernmental organisations working in this field. The loss of natural habitat for speculative purposes is today acute, not least because of the uncontrolled consumption that has gripped our planet broadly and our country specifically. Such commercial greed, and the exploitation and loss of natural habitats, has opened the doors to another problem faced by local biodiversity: the intentional and non-intentional introduction of alien invasive species. Despite international legislation and the obligations of the EU itself, the concept of the free movement of goods in the Union does not help to restrict the introduction of exotic species.
In the absence of any vision or commitment, and given the scant enforcement of local or EU regulations, uncontrolled commercial interests are ruining Maltese biodiversity. Through this commercial mentality – exploiting anything that moves and that is thought to be worth exploiting – foreign species of flora and fauna are establishing themselves in the local natural habitats.
The fountain grass, used by some ‘landscapers’ now invading the Maltese natural environment.
Some of the negative impacts of the introduction of alien invasive species, are in fact the result of political blessings and public spending. Some of the worst and most noticeable introductions which today have established themselves as invasive species in the Maltese Islands are the Fountain grass, the Red palm weevil, the Hottentot-fig, the Balloon vine, the Castilloa borer, the Lead tree, and the Bronze butterfly. There are others that are not so conspicuous.
On 24 October 2007 the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment issued a press release that warned the public of the Red palm weevil’s presence in Malta. This was the result of the importation of hundreds of palm trees (the food plant of the Red palm weevil) on which the weevil took a free ride to establish itself as an alien species. It quickly spread from Burmarrad, where the first infected trees were housed, to Salini, Qawra, Mosta, Attard, Mtafra, Rabat, Siġġiewi, Żebbuġ, Luqa, Żabbar, and Comino. It officially established itself in Gozo in September 2012, despite the fact that transported trees were being monitored at the Mġarr harbour. To date, more than 5000 palm trees have got the chop. These were mainly date palms, Canary island palms, and the occasional Washingtonia and European fan palm.
The red palm weevil introduced with the importation of infected palm trees
Seventeen historic date palms trees were destroyed in one year at Villa Bologna. Some garden centres capitalised and stocked expensive pesticides. With little tangible control by the Environment and Resource Authority, flora and fauna imported by garden centres have today directly or indirectly become one of the main threats to local biodiversity. Some of the species sold get bigger as they grow, and owners sometimes find it difficult to provide the necessary attention. As a result, many end up dumped in natural areas. Examples include the Levant water frog, now established in Gozo, the Red swamp crayfish which is reported to be present in fourteen different watercourses including Wied il-Qlejgħa (Chadwick Lakes), and the Red-eared slider.
The levantine frog has also found its way in some permanent water bodies, competing with the local water fauna.
Indirect threats occur when the imported species serve as vectors to other species or disease. One might argue that all imported species are accompanied by a phytosanity certificate that shows that they are free from harmful species and diseases. Phytosanity certificate or not, these species are today established as invasive species on the islands. Fifteen years ago or so, ‘landscaping’ became the name of the commercial game. The landscapers tried to convince the general public and, without any difficulty, politicians – that indigenous Maltese trees and shrubs were neither suitable nor aesthetically pleasing, and that the solution was the importation of exotic species.
There was a commercial side to it all. For the last fifteen years an average of eight million euros in public funds have been forked out annually to finance this ‘landscaping’. An example of the species imported is the Fountain grass, which was planted on traffic islands and every road verge without any consideration of its highly invasive nature. It lived up to its reputation and today it can be seen growing in the wild at roadsides and on pavements, as well as in valleys and other non-urban areas. In time it may even compete with the Cape sorrel, itself an exotic invasive from South Africa that was imported in Malta via the Argotti botanic gardens at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
From South Africa, through local garden centres, to an invasive alien species increasing without any control in the Maltese islands.
Further, landscaping is carried out without any concern for ecological negative impacts, or national or international legal obligations. For instance, wooden stakes were imported to be used as supports for newly planted saplings. It was advised that these be fumigated to prevent any introduction of invasive species. Fumigated staves are costlier to suppliers than non-fumigated ones, however, with the result that the costs saved by suppliers ended up borne by society and biodiversity.
The stakes brought with them the Castilloa borer, which spread from Żebbuġ to Attard, Balzan, Rabat, Siġġiewi and beyond, killing all Black mulberry trees in its path. Given the small numbers of these trees, it soon turned its attention to the White mulberry, and later to carob and fig tree.
Today, all wooden stakes and logs are required to be fumigated before they can be imported. A very expensive lesson for political decision-makers, who did not however pay the costs themselves. No matter what politicians, entrepreneurs or public officials may say or think, imported alien species all carry a hidden cost.
One of the ost invasive species in Europe used by some ‘landscapers’ in main traffic arteries.
Another invasive species which has flourished through the ideas of local landscapers is the Hottentot-fig, which is commonly planted on traffic islands and roadsides – notwithstanding the fact that this species is listed as one of the hundred most invasive species by the Delivering Alien Invasive Species in Europe (DAISIE) project funded by the sixth framework programme of the European Commission.
As if this was not enough, commercial landscapers set about making sure that alien exotic introductions are protected from competition by local indigenous species. And so another landscaping measure is implemented: chemicals, including the herbicide Roundup, are used to control or kill indigenous flora (widely referred to as ‘ħaxix ħażin’ – ‘weeds’ and fauna which are thought to damage the imported species. This had a negative impact on ecological niches by eliminating the food plants on which fauna (such as foraging pollinators, including honeybees) depended, but also by directly decimating the pollinators and other fauna themselves. As long as the landscaping commercial interests were maximising their profits, there was nothing to stop them. Neither ecological principles, nor national and international regulations – and certainly not political will.
The balloon vine, sold by some garden centres as an ornamental plant, suffocating natural habitats even in EU Natura 2000 sites.
At Buskett, landscaping very nearly obliterated an EU Natura 2000 site. Politicians were sold the idea that Buskett was a ‘garden’, and plans were drawn up to plant it over with pansies, geraniums, and so on. Dead trees were chopped up, irrespective of the fact that they were part of the ecosystem. Lentisk trees were uprooted; I was informed that one even had the nest of a Sardinian warbler in it. To this very day, indigenous ivy, which provides a rich natural habitat for rare species of fauna, is regularly cleared from walls at this Natura 2000 site, on the pretext that it damages the masonry. There are confirmed reports that cuttings from protected trees and bushes regularly make their way to the cut flower trade.
The castor oil plant, originally imported as an ornamental plant,, is today invading valleys and other important natural habitats, without any control at all.
Another part of the landscapers’ mission to embellish the country is the planting of turf, a water-thirty species that depletes this precious resource. The unofficial guidelines of landscaping hold that turf, too, must be protected from local indigenous flora (alias ‘ħaxix ħażin’). Herbicides are sprayed, to the extent that not a single wild indigenous flower can grow, not one bee, or butterfly, or bird seen on the turf. The mismanagement of public and European funds is at its best at the Mdina ditch. The place where close to 300 citrus trees grew, and which was a delight to walk through amid the fragrance of blossom, is now a wasteland of turf.
Recently, too, public funds have been used to widen country paths, with dire ecological consequences. All of which is surprising, since Malta is obliged at EU law to control the ingress of invasive species, to eradicate those which have established themselves, and to organise and take measures to prevent biodiversity loss by 2020. And yet, the mismanagement of funds, the introduction of exotic alien species, the decimation of local flora and fauna, and the use of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals in landscaping, are the order of the day. Local biodiversity suffered from negative appreciation in the past. Today it faces newer and stronger threats in blindfolded greed and commercial exploitation that enjoy political blessing and, often, access to public funds.
Pruning in spring and summer can affect the trees’ health
Claudia Calleja
Tree pruning is due to take place today in It-Tokk square, Victoria. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Trees around Malta and Gozo continue to be pruned in spring and summer despite guidelines recommending against such timing “due to effects on the health of the tree”, a biologist has warned.
Alfred Baldacchino, a former assistant director at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, said that, according to the Guidelines on Works Involving Trees issued by the Environment and Resources Authority, pruning in spring and summer ought to be avoided.
The guidelines read: “Pruning during different seasons triggers different responses. Thus, as a general rule, pruning shall ideally be carried out in late autumn (October to December) or during winter (January to March). Pruning during late spring and summer or during flowering shall be avoided… Pruning from spring through summer shall be avoided due to effects on the health of the tree and insect or disease problems (e.g. red palm weevil or tree borers).”
They go on to list exceptions, such as when there are hazards to the tree or to the public, vehicles and buildings. In such cases, pruning can go ahead with a permit.
If a tree is pruned at this time of year, it is not given enough time to recover
Baldacchino stressed that, while the ERA guidelines are not legally binding, they are there to protect trees yet are being ignored.
“If a tree is pruned at this time of year, it is not given enough time to recover. This is when the new leaves and branches are growing,” he said.
Some 10 mature ficus trees in It-Tokk square in Victoria are due to be pruned today.
Josef Schembri said the council had a permit from ERA to do so. Questions were sent to ERA but no replies were received by the time of writing.
In the past, the local council had applied to remove the trees, some of which were 70 years old, due to fears they were causing harm to the archaeological remains underneath the square and damaging surrounding houses.
But a court had issued an injunction on a request by environmental NGOs.
The University of Malta’s Programme in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (PLAS) is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development. You may apply for any and as many Units as you wish from the broad range of PLAS Units on offer.
PLAS Units consist of weekly evening lectures between 18:00 and 20:00, normally spread over 14 weeks. Each study unit is of 4 ECTS which involves between 20 to 28 contact hours.
Among the units being offered is one on getting to know indigenous trees. Below is a brief description of this unit.
Applications for such courses are now open and these will remain open till 25 January 2022.
Lectures will start in the week commencing 14 February 2022
The course will run for 14 weeks. so if you are interested in getting to know more on our indigenous trees, all you have to do is to fill in the application. The courses will be conducted in English.
Some call this budget a green budget. Admittedly, it has a tinge of green, which, if professionally implemented, could perhaps start to support the environment after the assault, neglect and exploitation of the past years.
The management of Natura 2000 sites is also referred to. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Among the biodiversity topics mentioned was the repair of rubble walls in Gozo. Such a restoration of natural habitats will definitely be a step forward. But not if these are built like those by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg, where they are anything but rubble walls: a concrete column with a façade of rubble stones, covered with concrete slabs on top.
A professionally built rubble wall in Wied Għasri Gozo
The management of Natura 2000 sites is also referred to. One hopes that the management will be in accordance with the plans drawn up with the help of EU funds and approved by the environment minister on December 14, 2016.
Our adherence to the EU Habitat Directive had to be in place six years after accession. If this were the case, the disaster on Comino and the ecological deterioration of Buskett would not have taken place.
One can still hope that something can finally come out of this budget to halt the poor state that Natura 2000 sites are in.
The Inwadar afforestation in Marsascala had made the headlines before the budget. The idea is positive but it can harm biodiversity if not biologically planned, as meticulously explained by biologist Justin Cauchi in this newspaper on October 5.
Invasive species were also mentioned in the budget. With hindsight, one cannot be very optimistic here. The resolution of the Bern Convention regards imported indigenous trees as invasive when planted in rural areas because of their negative impact on the gene pool of the local species. The boasting by Borg about thousands of imported indigenous trees speaks for itself.
The Ta’ Qali national park is another good idea if the ecological and social aspects are given priority over commercial interests. This project is also under the responsibility of Borg. Can one be optimistic when concrete rules the day in this ministry’s projects?
The restoration of gardens was also included in the budget, specifically San Anton Gardens and Romeo Romano Gardens. These too can contribute to more awareness, protection and education about Maltese biodiversity, only if the works are orientated towards biodiversity and are not commercially driven.
This is an election budget, isn’t it? – Alfred Baldacchino
The remains of a mature lentisk at San Anton Garden, managed by ELC
Following the management of San Anton Gardens by the Environment Landscaping Consortium, when wild species growing in this garden ‒ such as the indigenous lentisk ‒ were butchered, one hopes that this won’t be repeated. In reality, the restoration can be accomplished without the need of uprooting one single tree.
Again, one has to wait and see with fingers crossed that landscapers will not be involved in the restoration.
One would have hoped that, following the surge in public awareness on the use of indigenous trees propagated from local stock, the environment ministry would be financially helped to set up its own nursery, where local indigenous flora would be propagated, both for conservation and education purposes, with the possibility of leading to a new industry and where local workers across the board will be offered opportunities of training in such ecologically sensitive areas, as they are overseas.
The incentives for organic and carbon farming for conversion through agroforestry and the availability of ‘new’ water for such aims can also be positive from a social and ecological aspect.
Some may ask why there are such doubts about such ‘greening’. One remembers the Labour Party billboards before the 2013 election, assuring everyone “so the environment truly becomes a priority”.
Since then, we have experienced a biodiversity onslaught: hundreds of trees, some mature and protected, were decimated with ERA’s permits; thousands of imported ‘indigenous’ trees were planted; valleys were covered in concrete with the help of EU funds; rubble walls were destroyed to be replaced with artificially commercial concrete ones, also with EU funds. One cannot forget the ‘endemic’ imported seeds too. Once bitten, twice shy is most appropriate here.
But let us not be pessimistic and try to wait and see. After all this is an election budget isn’t it?
aebaldacchino@gmail.com
The environment is anything but a priority as promised.
The application for the development of a solar farm on agricultural land at Tar-Ragħad, Mġarr, has sent shockwaves through those who put environmental, ecological, social and economic issues before short-sighted commercial projects.
The three-megawatt photovoltaic plant would take up 43,303m² of what is described as “empty plot of land currently not being used” and “dominated by flat fields”.
Photo: Shutterstock.com/Times of Malta
The Planning Authority screening datasheet shows that trees will be cut down and rubble walls altered or demolished for the project.
It also confirms that the principal use of the site, which lies in an ODZ, is agricultural. The panels will cover greenhouses, also constructed as part of the project.
How can glasshouses be productive if they are covered by solar panels? One hopes that both the PA and the ERA boards can see through this gimmick.
Looking at the section on environmental impacts and mitigation measures in the project description report, the aesthetic, ecologic, economic, social and hydrologic impacts of the project are conspicuous by their absence. This is only to be expected when impacts and mitigation measures are drafted by the applicant.
The PA screening data states that the development does not necessitate trenching of a connection to the potable water distribution network or sewage system but it has conveniently ignored that the area will be covered by 6,023 photovoltaic modules of 500 watts each. This will contribute substantially to water run-off from the site, which “will be disposed of in the street” and find itself in the sea or in the sewer system. And it will prevent the absorption of rainwater by the soil to supplement the water table. These hidden costs will be borne by society and the ecosystem.
The solar panel cover will have a detrimental impact on the ecosystem, as will the removal of trees and alteration of rubble walls– Alfred Baldacchino
The solar panel cover will have a detrimental impact on the ecosystem, as will the removal of trees and alteration of rubble walls, both natural habitats. This will lead to biodiversity loss in an ODZ, something which ERA is entrusted to ensure does not happen, in line with Malta’s EU obligations. No reference whatsoever is made to these factors in the project development report. These hidden costs will have to be borne by society and the ecosystem.
Aesthetically, the impact of such an expanse of reflecting material seems of no concern to the PA, ERA or the person who drafted the report. No studies in this field have been undertaken either.
These panels will affect both residents and wildlife from wherever the panels are visible, by day and night, another hidden cost to be borne by society and biodiversity.
What about the economic aspect of the project? The PA confirms that the area is “mainly used for agriculture”. The report highlights that the footprint is composed “of plots of land currently not being used”. How can the fields be used if the owners of the land have not allowed the farmers to continue using them? And how will the products which were, or which can be produced, from these fields impact prices on the local market? Has the PA studied the loss of revenue to farmers and the increase in price to consumers compared to the profits to be made from the solar farm?
Without a doubt, solar panels are beneficial and essential but not at such a cost to society, ecology and the economy.
Our urban roofs are quite adaptable to the use of solar panels. There are so many official buildings, such as schools and car parks, which can accommodate far more solar panels than those being proposed to obliterate agricultural land in Mġarr.
The PA should not use only its economic ruler for its decisions. If the PA has any planning vision – social, ecological, environmental, economic and aesthetic – it would rise to its obligations in the interests of the whole country.
Why is it not obligatory for new buildings to have solar panels on their roofs? Some may argue that this would make these buildings more expensive for the construction industry. Is the PA only interested in accommodating this sector to the detriment of the environment, biodiversity, hydrology and society that are shouldering all the hidden costs?
One hopes that both ERA and the PA will fulfil their responsibilities in the interest of all stakeholders and take into consideration the burdens they may inflict on society and the environment by their decision.
Guido Lanfranco, is in the heart of all Maltese and Gozitans who have a love for their country, a love for the local biodiversity, and an interest in all that is Maltese. A man who can never be forgotten, even by those who do not cherish the love he had for nature and the well-being of these islands.
Despite difficult times in his younger days, Guido had the determination and the strong will to get in touch with the richness of the natural wonders of these islands. Not only so but, he used such knowledge to teach and create a public awareness of such a rich heritage.
His efforts starting from a very young age towards the importance of biodiversity from an ecological, economical, social and spiritual aspects, without doubt show that he was already practicing the principles embraced in Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Sí more than 50 years before it was conceived.
Almost single handed, he embarked on a mission to show how rich our natural heritage is. He also underlined the responsibility we have to protect, conserve and manage it. Despite the insular perception dictating that what does not contribute to economic yields is of no importance; despite the fact that what is found of interest and of beauty has to be picked up, collected or shot to be carried home; and despite the fact that such negative impacts to our natural heritage is politically capitalised on, Guido never looked back from his ideal and with conviction and determination moved on, for the good of the country.
His efforts starting from a very young age towards the importance of biodiversity from an ecological, economical, social and spiritual aspects, without doubt show that he was already practicing the principles embraced in Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Sí more than 50 years before it was conceived.
But this was not enough for Guido in his determination to work for the benefit of the people of the Maltese islands. In 1962 he founded the Natural History Society of Malta, today known as Nature Trust. In the same year he co-founded the Malta Ornithological Society, today known as BirdLife Malta. He served as President for both societies for a number of years. He was also President of the International Council for Bird Preservation – Malta.
Following his research and accumulation of knowledge on the flora and fauna, folklore, and geology of the Maltese islands, Guido wrote a number of scientific publications, in popular language. Besides serving as a stepping stone for further research, his publications are also a mine of information to all others who want to enhance their knowledge and get acquainted with our natural heritage and our responsibility for its conservation.
Borrowing a leaf from Orpheus In the Underworld, Guido’s wife Salvina wrote: “he is gone and gone forever… all our love alas is gone… rest in peace, from all of us”.
Yes, physically Guido is no longer with us, but his research, his teachings, his love and passion for what is Maltese, his vision will never be forgotten. No, they can never be forgotten. His teachings will remain with us forever. We are indebted to him for leading the way towards the appreciation and the need for conservation of flora and fauna, and for what is Maltese. He has shown one and all the responsibility we bear for the natural wonders we have been entrusted with by future generations.
No bronze medal can fully show our indebtedness. Full gratitude to Guido will be shown when we put in practice what he has taught us. Only when we shoulder such responsibility towards biodiversity can we show our gratitude to Guido for his lifelong dedication and efforts.
Thank you Guido. Others you have enlightened will without doubt carry on with the noble aims you have instilled in them. Rest in peace.
“Jekk ma jkunx hemm rispett lejn il-biodiversità għalxejn li wieħed jibki”
M’għandna ebda dubju li kull persuna u ħlejqa fuq din id-dinja għandha r-rwol tagħha. Ir-reliġjon tidetta li r-rwol ewlieni tagħna bħala bniedem huwa li nirriproduċu. L-opinjoni fuq din il-fehma ivarja minn kull individwu, speċjalment issa li ngħixu ħajja aktar libera u moderna. Iżda, għan-naħal dan huwa stat ta’ fatt.
“In naħal huwa insett soċjali, jiġifieri jgħix f’kolonja mmexxija minn reġina. L-għan naturali tiegħu huwa li jibni xehda fejn ikabbar il-kolonja biex ikompli jnissel l-ispeċi. Biex jagħmel dan, joħroġ jirgħa fuq il-fjuri fejn hemm jiġbor l-għasel tal-fjuri, in-nektar, kif ukoll l-għabra tad-dakra, il-pollen. Dawn jużawhom biex jaħżnu l-ikel f’forma ta’ għasel biex jitma’ kemm lir-reġina kif ukoll lid-duqqajs, kif ukoll biex jibni x-xehda tax-xema.” Hekk spjegalna Alfred Baldacchino, ambjentalist.
Baldacchino tkellem ma’ L-ORIZZONT fejn stqarr li l-bniedem sa mill-qedem għaraf il-bżonn u l-importanza tan-naħal, tant li anke llum insibu wħud li jkabbru n-naħal.
“Jintużaw qollol u kaxxex biex il-kolonji tan-naħal ikunu jistgħu jiżdiedu. Meta dawn jagħmlu l-għasel ġox-xehda, il-bniedem jieħu parti minn dan l-għasel anke għal raġunijiet kummerċjali. Dan minħarra li l-għasel jintuża ħafna għall-għanijiet mediċinali,” qal Alfred.
Fatturi li jwassal għall-qerda.
Meta mistoqsi jekk dawn il-ħlejjaq humiex mhedda, bla eżitazzjoni qal “iva u dan bla dubju jwassal għal riżultati kbar u koroh, kemm fil-qasam ekoloġiku, f’dak soċjali kif ukoll f’dak ekonomiku.”
Huwa elenka li l-akbar theddida ġejja minn dawk il-fatturi kollha li jwasslu għall-qerda tal-ambjent u għal dan huwa qasam dawn it-theddid fi tlieta.
In-naħal f’pajjiżna mhux tallli mhux aħjar minn dak ta’ pajjiżi oħra imma b’sogħba kbira wieħed jgħid li huwa agħar.
l-ewwel waħda hija proprju dwar il-qerda mill-bniedem tal-ekosistema, “meta jqaxxar u jeqred il-flora indiġena u salvaġġa li jirgħa fuqha n-naħal.” Spjega wkoll kif kontributur ieħor għall-qerda tal-ekosistema huwa l-kimika, “għaliex m’hemmx kuxjenza edukattiva biżżejjed biex wieħed jara li dak li ħafna jħarsu lejh bħal ħaxix ħażin, huwa s-sisien tal-għajxien tan-naħal u insetti oħra”
Baldacchino jgħid ukoll li t-tbdil fil-klima, li qiegħda teskala b’rata mgħaġġla, mhux qiegħed jagħti biżżejjed ħin lill-biodiversità biex tilqa’ l-bidliet estensivi li ġġib magħha u b’hekk flora u fawna jinqerdu wkoll.
Punt ieħor li qajjem dan l-ambjentalist huwa wieħed li ta’ xejn nikkunsidraw bħala parti l-qerda tal-biodiversità Maltija: id-dħul ta’ speċi oħra li jiġu minn barra minn Malta. Dawn jistgħu jkunu saħansitra naħal iżda ma jkunux tal-istess speċi bħal dik li nsibu fil-gżejjer Maltin u għaldaqstant idgħajfu l-ispeċi tan-naħla tagħna. Jista’ jagħti l-każ li jkunu speċi oħra għedewwa għan-naħal Maltin jew inkella jġibu xi mard magħhom.
“Dan anke minħabba ċ-ċokon tal-pajjiż. It-tibdil fil-klima ma nistgħux naħarbuh minnha. Il-bexx bla rażan, bla ebda raġuni xjentifika u bil-ħsieb biss ta’ qligħ tal-flus, żgur li ma jgħinx. Il-qerda ambjentali f’pajjiż żgħir bħal tagħna wkoll twassal għall-qerda tan-naħal, flora u fawna oħra Maltija,” qal Baldacchino.
Naħla fuq il-fjura ta’ siġra tal-lewż.
Id-dinja mingħajr in-naħal, hija possibbli li tibqa’ l-istess?
“In-naħal huwa l-qofol tal-għajxien tal-biodiversità għaliex mingħajr ix-xogħol tiegħu, flimkien ma’ insetti dakkara oħra, jgħinu biex il-flora tkompli toktor, tinfirex, tiżdied u tissaħħaħ,” wieġeb l-ambjentalist.
Bħal ma spjega qabel, in-nuqqas tagħhom mhux biss iwassal għal eradikazzjoni tal-flora iżda jonqsu ukoll, “dawk li jgħinu u jwieżnu l-bniedem bl-ikel ta’ kuljum. Il-frott li llum insibu fuq il-mejda għall-ikel, bħal ngħidu aħna tuffieħ, larinġ, bettieħ, ħawħ, għeneb, u oħrajn huma kollha riżultat tar-ragħa tan-naħal meta dan idakkar il-fjuri tagħhom biex ikunu jistgħu jagħmlu l-frotta,” qal Alfred.
Bla dubju, jekk in-naħal jiġu estinti il-pilastri tas-sostenabilità, l-aspett soċjali, ekonomiku u ekoloġiku jikkrollaw. “Dik ekonomika minħabba n-nuqqas ta’ ikel u għalhekk żieda fil-prezzijiet fis-suq. Dik soċjali, minħabba n-nuqqas ta’ ikel naturali, li sussegwentement iwassal għal impatt fuq id-dieta differenti għall bniedem. Minn-naħa l-oħra, dik ekoloġika kawża tat-tiċrita ekoloġika: ambjent bla ħajja, bla fjuri salvaġġi, nieqes minn fawna, għeri minn kull ħajja, bla ruħ.”
X’nistgħu nagħmlu bħala ċittadini biex nissalvagwardjaw in-naħal u nipprevenju milli jsiru estinti?
Jgħid li l-ewwel pass huwa li l-bniedem għandu jifhem u jaċċetta li huwa ukoll parti mis-sistema ekoloġika u għalqastant dak li jiġri fl-istess ekosistema, jolqot lilu wkoll. “Ħu mit-tibdil tal-klima. Għalkemm hawn minn din qiegħed isejħilha fake news ukoll.”
Żied jgħid li t-tieni pass huwa li jekk ma jkunx hemm apprezzament u rispet lejln il-biodiversità u l-bżonn tal-ħarsien tagħha għall-għixien tal-ħolqien, inkluż dak tal-bniedem, huwa għalxejn li wieħed joqgħod jibki.
“Tweġġagħni ħafna meta nisma’ li x-xagħri hija kollha art moħlija, meta x-xagħri huwa l-akbar ambjent naturali sinjur fil-gżejjer Maltin, tant imfittex minn-naħal, l-aktar dak fejn jinsab is-sagħtar.”
Sostna li diġà qegħdin naraw il-prezz qares li l-bniedem qiegħed ikollu jħallas minħabba dan in-nuqqas ta’ għarfien fil-qasam tal-ħarsien tal-biodiversità.
Il-fjura tax-xewk abjad hija tant infittxa min-naħal.
Aktar kemm il-biodiversità tingħata bis-sieq, aktr il-prezz se jikber, sakemm ma jkunx hemm biex jitħallas.
B’passjoni liema bħala huwa jtemm jgħid li jrid ikun hemm ir-rieda soda u l-viżjoni li l-biodiversità għandha prezz u valur ekonomiku kbir ħafna tant li ma nistgħux ninjorawh. “Il-bniedem irid jiddeċiedi jekk iridx li l-aġir tiegħu huwa lest li jċarrat din in-nisġa naturali… li artna hija mżejjen biha.”
Soċjetà Filarmonika Nicolò Isouard – Festa Santa Marija – Mosta
15 ta’ Awwissu, 2021
Alfred E. Baldacchino
Il-fejġel hija pjanta indiġena, frekwenti fil-gżejjer Maltin, jiġifieri pjanta li ilha tikber fil-gżejjer Maltin minn qabel il-bniedem rifes fuq dawn il-gżejjer.
Hi tiflaħ għall-ambjent kiefer, bħal ngħidu aħna irjieħ kiesħa, jew nixfa, u tghix minn sena għal oħra. Hija tgħoxa f’ħamrija fqira u tkun fl-aqwa tagħha fix-xemx, tal-anqas għal 6 jew 7 sigħat kuljum f’ħamrija li ma żżomx ilma. Tant li meta jkollha ħafna ilma tmut.
Il-fejġel tikber kważi kullimkien, imma l-aħjar ambjenti li tħobb huma f’postijiet kennija u niexfa.
Il-fejġel tħaddar is-sena kollha, f’għamla ta’ siġra baxxa b’ħafna friegħi, minflok zokk oħxon u wiesa’. Minkejja dan, iz-zokk tagħha fil-qiegħ tiegħu huwa tal-injam. Il-fejġel tgħola minn 20 sa 60 ċm fuq zokk li jkun lixx mingħajr ebda suf jew lanżit.
Il-werqa jkollha għonq kemmxejn twil u madwar 1.5 mm wiesa’ bil-ġnub dritt. Din tkun 1.5 darbiet itwal milli tkun wiesgħa, u tkun wiesgħa l-aktar fit-taraf tagħha, ġejja għal-ponta fit-tarf, forma ta’ lanza.
Il-wera q jikbru mtarġa waħda fuq kull naħa tal-magħseb u huma ta’ lewn ħadrani jgħati fl-ikħal. Dawn il-weraq jitfaw riħa qawwija li ma tintgħoġobx minn uħud. Minbarra hekk għandhom tgħoma morra, qawwija u li tqalleb l-istonkju.
Il-fjura tal-fejġel hija safra tgħati fl-aħdar. Din ikollha petali li jkunu itwal milli jkunu wiesgħa u li jkollhom it-truf tagħhom imkemmex u qishom imqattgħajn, filwaqt li n-nofs tal-fjura jkun aħdar. Il-fjuri jidhru bejn Marzu u Ġunju.
Il-fjuri ma jkunux imgeddsa ma xulxin għalkemm jikbru qrib xulxin. L-għonq tal-fjura jkun daqs jew itwal mil-frotta. Il-frotta, li tkun lixxa mingħar ebda suf, tkun ġejja għall-ponta imma b’għafsiet ’l ġewwa fil-ġnub. Meta ssir u tinxef, din tinqasam fi tnejn biex tkun tista’ tferrex iż-żerriegħa.
Mhux diffiċli li wieħed inissel il-fejġel. Dan jista’ jsir jew permezz taż-żerriegħa, jew bil-biċċa.
Iż-żerriegħa jistgħu jinżergħu barra fir-rebbiegħa u meta jikbru f’għoli ta’ madwar 5 ċm, jitħawlu barra f’posthom, 45 ċm ’l bogħod minn xulxin.
Il-frotta tal-fejġel
Il-biċċiet għandhom jittieħdu fir-rebbiegħa u jiddefsu fil-ħamrija u jitpoġġew fid-dell sakemm jagħmlu l-għeruq.
Ir-riħa qawwija tagħha tbiegħed numru ta’ annimali minna, bgħal ngħidu aħna klieb, qtates u anki xi nsetti. Tant li fil-passat qarib biċċiet mill-fejġel kienu jintużaw fid-djar biex ibiegħdu l-insetti. Id-drawwa kienet li jinġabru ftit weraq, jitnixxfu, u mbagħad jitpoġġew f’boroż żgħar taċ-ċaruta, u dawn kienu jitqiegħdu fil-kxaxen u f’postijiet fejn wieħed ikun jixtieq li jbiegħed l-insetti.
Kienet drawwa komuni tar-Rumani li jużaw il-fejġel biex jgħatu tgħoma lill-ikel. Dawn kienu jorbtu biċċiet tal-karfus, fejġel, tursin, u sagħtar f’borża tal-garża, biex minnhom isir zalza waqt li l-ikel ikun qed jissajjar u hekk ituh togħma differenti.
Friegħi tal-fejġel kienu wkoll jitferrxu fl-art għax kien maħsub li dawn ibieghdu l-pesta. Dan minbarra li jbiegħed is-sħaħar. Din id-drawwa kienet ukoll tintuża wkoll mill-knijsa u l-friegħi tal-fejġel kienu jitbillu fl-ilma mbierak biex jitbierku r-rjus tal-fidili. Din l-imġieba kienet laqmet il-fejġel bħala l-pjanta tal-grazzja.
Fil-qedem and aktar qrib lejn żminijietna, il-fejġel kienet meqjus, f’numru ta’ partijiet tal-Ewropa, biex tilqa’ kontra s-sħaħar, u kienet tintuża wkoll kontra xi magħmul.
Kien maħsub ukoll li din il-pjanta setgħet tgħin biex ittejjeb il-vista’ tal-għajnejn, l-aktar meta l-vista’ ta’ dak li jkun tkun saret waħda mċajpra. Kienet tgħin ukoll lil dawk li kienu tilfu id-dawl ta’ għajnejhom.
Fil-mediċina tradiżżjonali, billi l-fejġel hija stimulu ħafif għall-istonku, kienet tintuża biex tikkalma l-isteriżmu, is-sogħla, il-ħanqa, l-uġigħ ta’ żaqq tat-trabi, u l-gass żejjed fl-istonku. Kienet tintuża wkoll biex teqred id-dud parassita fl-istonku, u anki biex iġġiegħel lil dak li jkun biex jibda jgħareq . Minna kienet ukoll issir ġbara, kienet titħallat, jew tinqela maż-żejt taż-żebbuġa għal fuq il-feriti, tbenġil, tfekkik, ħruq u rumatiżmu.
Minħabba li l-fejġel hija pjanta li għandha kimiċi bioloġiċi irritanti, kienet tintuża biex iżżid iċ-ċirkolazzjoni tad-demm, kif ukoll biex tmewwet l-uġigħ kroniku.
Kien maħsub ukoll li meta l-weraq tagħha kienu jkunu mgħaffġa kienu jgħinu biex inaqqsu l-uġigħ tax-xjatika. U ftit qtar tagħha kien magħruf li jintuża kontra l-ħolm nervuż. Anki l-weraq friski kienu jitqiegħdu fuq in-ngħas biex ittaffi l-uġigħ ta’ ras. Barra minn hekk dekott tal-fejġel kien jintgħorok fuq is-sider kontra l-bronkiter kronika.
Il-farfett tal-fejġel fuq il-pjanta tal-fejġel
Wieħed mill-akbar friefett tal-gżejjer Maltin, il-farfett tal-bużbież jew il-farfett tal-fejġel ukoll ibid fuq il-fejġel.
Posted by Baldacchino Alfred E. 
(Rivista maħruġa mill-Kulleġġ tal-Kappillani) – Ħarġa 218 – Novembru 2023
Alfred E. Baldacchino's Blog 