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News •
March 7 2004 |
Matthew Vella
The Lands Department has told MaltaToday that no contract or lease agreement exists between the government and the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi u Nassaba Konservazzjonisti, the hunters’ federation, on the land at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha where government authorities recently removed hunting huts with bulldozers.
The removal of the hunting huts, according to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, was a Lands Department initiative, which according to MEPA “endorses a similar policy regarding the removal of illegal structures.”
The FKNK are claiming the land in question was given to them to manage the area and practice their sport in 1984 by the then Labour government. Similarly, the Mizieb area was given to the hunters in 1986, the FKNK claim:
“Since then no subsequent government has ever questioned the ‘pussess pacifiku’ of the land. Prof Guido de Marco himself, as a government minister, endorsed a document regarding these lands’ management, in green ink, as a title of ownership.”
However, FKNK secretary Lino Farrugia said the hunters’ council will not publicise this title of ownership: “If anyone feels like challenging this position, we don’t mind. We have enough documentation to prove what I said, however I am directed by my council not to pass on anything at this stage, especially, with all due respect, to journalists.”
Mr Lino Farrugia will be standing as a candidate in the European elections on behalf of the Federation.
In reaction to the removal of the huts, the FKNK are planning to field a candidate for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June. The FKNK is believed to constitute a lobby of over 15,000 potential voters.
But the decision to remove the hunting huts from l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha jars with the inaction by MEPA to enforce the eviction of 30 odd hunters who have claimed the area at Mnajdra as their hunting ground. Around 30 huts were placed under an enforcement notice less than two years ago, but the occupying hunters and trappers are refusing to budge. The area which hosts the Neolithic temples Hagar Qim and Mnajdra has been earmarked for both the creation of a heritage park and that of interim engineered landfills pending the construction of an more permanent landfill.
According to MEPA, the authority is considering all options at its disposal before taking definitive action:
“MEPA sees its role as that of a catalyst for improving the environs with the help of government as the owner of the land and the social partners including the Local Council. MEPA representatives have been assigned to the technical and adjudicating board of the design competition for the Heritage Park as proposed by government. In this way MEPA will be in a position to make its voice heard on the issue and to regulate further in due course. In the meantime, MEPA is still expecting the hunters and trappers to remove the hides as stipulated by law after the issue of the Enforcement Notices.”
matthew@newsworksltd.com
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