NGOs join forces with farmers against Nadur cemetery development

Nine NGOs have joined forces with farmers against the development of the cemetery in Nadur.  "MEPA must halt this development and should work on the Eco Gozo vision, which the present legislation is promoting for Gozo," they said, in a statement issued by Nature Trust.

The NGOs are Nature Trust (Malta), Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, the Malta Organic and Agriculture Movement, Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq, Youth for the Environment, Grupp Universitarji Għawdxin, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth (Malta) and Ramblers' Association.

In 2006, MEPA approved a 600 grave cemetery, which the NGOs describe as "disastrous" for the farmers.

In an appeal against the development, Nature Trust reminded that for over five centuries, the terraced citrus orchards below Nadur were fed by the Għajn Qasab springs funnelling rainwater from around 200 tumoli of adjacent garigue.

"The freshwater at Għajn Qasab provides the livelihood of farmers cultivating approximately 5,000 citrus trees and vegetable patches below these springs," the NGO said, adding that the development lies at the heart of this rainwater-harvesting site.

Farmers have since been objecting, fearing contamination of the natural springs.

"This short-sighted permit, issued against all technical advice, saw the excavation with heavy machinery of the site above the springs, destroying historical techniques dating back to the Knights, shattering bell-shaped wells that stored precious water, cutting off one of the valley springs and causing damage to the others," the NGO said.

In August 2008, the court expert said "the construction of the cemetery will not have any detrimental effect on the quality or quantity of spring water that is used by farmers".

The farmers heavily contested this. Documents submitted to MEPA testified to "considerable spring deviations, resulting in a two-third loss in spring water irrigation", "loss of farmland dedicated to vegetable cultivation", the "purchase of second-class bowser-delivered water", "less citrus yields, and the shrivelling of numerous citrus trees" all adding up to "a decline in their livelihoods".

They also testified that during last year's rainy season dust and cement turned the spring water "milky" due to the savage excavations above the springs.

In March 2011, MEPA had issued an Enforcement Notice as the developer violated the permit conditions in the "variations in the lay-out of graves and the space/gaps between the graves were excavated and roofed, resulting in a passage below the ground".

Nature Trust said the farmers feared that due to these violations in construction methods, the springs would in future be contaminated with dead body fluids, causing a fatal blow to this valley and farmers' livelihood.

A report presented by hydrologist Marco Cremona noted "the very evident deterioration" of the quality of the farmers' water sources after the commencement of excavation works to make way for the cemetery.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the contamination is linked to the excavation and construction works at the cemetery, not least because the site of the cemetery lies just upstream of the farmers' springs.

"Moreover, the fact that the contamination increases (to a level that even becomes visible to the untrained eye) immediately after a rain event also shows that there is a direct and immediate hydraulic connection between the site of the cemetery and the farmers' water supply," Cremona had said.

The MEPA Planning Appeals' Board is now examining this appeal and shall deliver judgment on the 15 December 2011.

Nature Trust said farmers are conscious the Water Framework Directive, signed by the Maltese Government in 2000, considers the monitoring of "inland waters" as urgent since these require a "high degree of protection" under national legislation and under the EU Habitats Directive.

"They still look to MEPA to uphold this legislation safeguarding their livelihood, and to ensure that this national natural heritage is kept alive for future generations," the environmental organisation said.