Charlot Zahra
The Malta and Planning Authority (MEPA) has now scheduled the whole area of Ta’ Cenc, including the cliff, as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the European Union’s Natura 2000 Network.
Until now, only the cliffs had been protected under the EU’s Birds Directive.
With respect to provisions of the Habitats Directive, the whole area of Ta’ Cenc, including both the cliffs and the plateau, has been declared as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in view of the various natural habitats and plant species found in the area.
These sites were selected for inclusion in the Natura 2000 Network “in view of the various important habitats and species present in this area,” MEPA said in a statement on Friday.
According to MEPA, the previous submissions made by Malta on the designation of sites indicated that the sufficiency of Malta in designating terrestrial sites under the Habitats Directive was “over 90 per cent” as at June last year.
“The inclusion of Ta’ Cenc within the network is expected to increase Malta’s sufficiency value considerably,” the Authority added.
Moreover, under the terms of the Birds’ Directive, a new site in the South-West of Malta was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA): the Wied Moqbol to Il-Ponta ta’ Benghisa area.
This site covers the coastal cliffs of the area and was chosen for scheduling “in view of its seabird communities,” MEPA said.
Once protected, Malta was expected to maintain or improve the conservation status of the sites forming part of the Natura 2000 Network.
Management of designated sites is to be considered within a maximum of six years from when the European Commission accepts the sites within the Natura 2000 Network.

czahra@mediatoday.com.mt