The green whistle blower : golf at Ta Cenc

Abstract

When it transpired that Ta' Cenc in Gozo was not included as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or in the proposed Natura 2000 protected sites, many smelt a rat. This came hot on the heels of repeated incidents of burning and rubble dumping on the garigue (to reduce its ecological importance) and the fait accompli last month was presented with the inclusion of Ta' Cenc among the proposed five golfing sites in a MEPA report to the PM. PA 5277/96 is gut-wrenching to say the least - it contemplates the construction of four different zones, which include 114 villas, 76 apartments, a sports centre, an 18-hole golf course, horseriding and access to an esoteric-sounding 'Kantra Beach'! All of this just a couple of kilometres away from the eyesore known as Fort Chambray! While bracing myself for all of this, I wonder what is going through the minds of bird-lovers who so vehemently support the Verdala golf course. Since the development will be very close to the important bird-nesting cliffs in at least one spot, what will their position now be? Those cringing in front of such a development should start to pull up their socks right now and voice their disapproval regarding this unsustainable proposal from the very onset. This section was compiled with the help of Annalise Falzon, Nature Trust (Malta).