THE MINISTRY FOR ENERGY, ENTERPRISE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Over 200 trees being planted at Inwadar Park

Minister Miriam Dalli launches ‘Arts in the Park’ on World Environment Day

Over 200 trees and shrubs are being planted at Inwadar Park, as the Arts in the Park event kicked off this morning. The event was launched by the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli.

Located in the south of Malta, Inwadar Park is being managed by Parks Malta and the governance board. Once the regeneration project is completed, the number of trees and shrubs is expected to increase to over 1,000.

Different species of trees are being planted, such as Rhamnus alaternus, Ceratonia siliqua, Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis, and Pistacia lentiscus.

“The trees chosen for this afforestation area are ideal for this Mediterranean habitat”, explained Minister Miriam Dalli.

As the campaign for Public Service 2021 is coming to an end, two primary students – Krista and Yanika – who are doing job shadowing, have attended the launching of Arts in the Park. Together with Minister Miriam Dalli they planted a tree to commemorate World Environment Day.

More trees, shrubs and other indigenous species will be added by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Parks Malta will continue with the maintenance of the area and the restoration of a traditional Maltese bell which was found underneath a landfill. The Inwadar site is secured with a CCTV system.

Up until a few years ago, San Anard Grove had been left in a state of abandonment filled with construction and domestic waste. In fact, more than 320 tonnes of waste had to be removed from the area.

“It is with pleasure that we are now seeing this site regenerated into a clean and relaxing space, with spectacular views”, added Minister Dalli.

Together with the Board of Governance of the park, Minister Miriam Dalli also launched the Arts in the Park event. Over the next two and half months, artists will be creating art in various forms of the different sites to portray the beauty of the park through the artist’s eyes. The artists will eventually showcase their work in an exhibition in Marsaskala by the end of the year. The public will be able to appreciate these artworks which are intended to represent a unique experience through the artists’ perspective.

Chairperson of the Board of Governance Steve Borg thanked the Board members. He explained that the aim of the activity was to create awareness about these precious and historic resources of the park. “Showcasing its beauty will allow families to appreciate the park even more”, he continued.

Mr Borg also thanked Minister Dalli and Parks Malta for their support during the implementation of the project.

Parks Malta General Director Adrian Attard explained how Parks Malta was carrying out restoration work around the park. Parks Malta has already cleared around 2,000 meters squared of land and started planting of over 200 trees and shrubs in the area.

Once the project is finalised, Parks Malta will have regenerated a larger zone of more than 18,000 meters squared with more than 1,000 trees planted.

The National Park of Inwadar, which is on the border of Marsaskala, Zabbar and Xghajra, was established in 2016 and has an area of around 980 tumoli. It was given a higher status of a conservation area in 2019.

Also present for the launch of the event were the Mayor of Marsaskala Mario Calleja, the Mayor of Zabbar Jorge Grech, and the Mayor of Xghajra Neil Attard.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister