
Conservation and afforestation efforts are making great progress in Aħrax ta’ Ġewwa, Mellieħa, and Miżieb as part of the Project Silva Green Pathways initiative.
Minister for the Environment, Miriam Dalli and Minister for European Funds, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi recently visited the sites to review ongoing work led by Ambjent Malta. With an investment of over €1 million, the project covers more than 55,000 square metres roughly the size of seven football pitches in northern Malta.
The areas were initially transformed into Aleppo Pine woodlands in the 1970s and are located near three Natura 2000 sites. Project Silva involves shredding dead pines for mulch, controlling invasive Acacia species, planting 1,800 native trees, and restoring a historic stone hut.
These actions will create an ecological buffer zone, improving habitats for migrating species and boosting native biodiversity by limiting invasive plants. New irrigation systems will also enhance soil quality.
Minister Dalli emphasised the government’s commitment to restoring natural spaces and supporting biodiversity. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi highlighted the role of European funds, which cover 75% of project costs, in protecting valuable natural areas and creating better public green spaces.
Ambjent Malta’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Alexander Borg Galea, noted the project’s goal to increase indigenous tree cover from 8.5% to 42%, improving both carbon sequestration and the landscape.
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