In the Media - Press Release

29th September, 2011

Gaia Calls For Public Reactions And Extra Vigilance In The Wake Of Violence And Intimidation Against NGO's.

Following a spate of vandalism that struck the Nature Trust offices, and the intimidation against prominent members of 2 other organisations, Birdlife Malta and Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar, The Gaia Foundation has made a nationwide appeal to address such unacceptable behaviour against the local environmental NGO’s by asking both public officials and the general public to be extra vigilant in the face of any acts that may affect our natural heritage.

The authorities are being asked to leave no stone unturned to enforce all environmental regulations, and to dedicate all the necessary resources required to do so, while the public is being asked to increase their already active participation by reporting and infringements to the relevant authorities and NGO’s, as well as to intervene directly wherever possible to get persons to desist from carrying out such infringements. These could range from illegal dumping and littering to damage to local trees and other flora, trapping, or shooting at protected birds. The perpetrators of these shameful acts must be made to see and understand that our natural heritage is not something valued and protected by just a few, but rather by the overwhelming majority of the islands’ residents.

While the local environmental NGO’s work assiduously in their respective fields for the betterment of our islands' natural heritage, and will not be deterred by vandalism or intimidation, the best results will therefore be obtained with the active cooperation and support of the silent law abiding majority, as well as by applying increased resources in the budgets ahead to ensure adequate monitoring and enforcement of all environmental laws and regulations.

In its statement The Gaia Foundation, which works predominantly in the sector of NATURA 2000 and coastal management, has extended its fullest support to the NGO’s who have been the victim of the recent spate of vandalism and intimidation.

Rudolf Ragonesi
Executive Director
The Gaia Foundation