BirdLife Malta saddened by the fires engulfing the woodland in Miżieb

June 22, 2019 6:38 pm

BirdLife Malta is saddened by the news of the fires that have been engulfing the woodland in Miżieb since the early hours of today. Apart from the fact that Miżieb is one of the few areas with dense trees in our country, it is also serves as a resting place for various birds during migration and an ideal place for people to visit and enjoy themselves.

BirdLife Malta will offer all possible support in the regeneration
of this important habitat

Miżieb Woodland. Photo by Steven Williams

BirdLife Malta has already written to the Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change and Ambjent Malta to offer its support in the regeneration process of this area. “We are hoping that the damage is not as extensive as we are expecting after seeing footage of the ordeal. We will be seeking ways of working closely with the respective entities in helping to regenerate the area to its natural state as fast as possible,” stated BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana.

BirdLife Malta also insists that similar areas have proper plans for such incidents in order to minimise the damage. A mixture of infrastructures for water channels, training and education campaigns and a level of management and control is imperative. BirdLife Malta has recently participated in setting up such a plan for Buskett with other stakeholders and organised by Ambjent Malta.

Finally, we thank the Civil Protection Department for all the efforts it is putting in to control the fires at Miżieb.

Read the Maltese version of the press release here.