Guidelines for good forestation practices launched for public consultation

A public consultation on the draft ‘Guidelines for Good Forestation Practices for the Maltese Islands’ has been launched by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning.

Addressing a media event, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia said that these guidelines aim to provide a general guide for successful and functional tree-planting projects in natural, rural, and urban environments, looking at forestation from a holistic perspective with the end target of assuring the greater success of such projects. These draft guidelines highlight the full process of how a forestation project should be addressed from concept to design, implementation, and eventual long-term sustainable management of such sites.

Minister Farrugia emphasised the importance of not only implementing afforestation projects, but properly maintaining them.  “These forestation projects and their upkeep for the further greening of the islands will also enhance the environment and create more spaces for the enjoyment and benefit of the public.

This document will provide a quick guide in the form of practical pointers, recommendations and a checklist of general codes of good practice to enable a successful tree-planting initiative in areas such as bare land, reforestation of areas previously covered with trees and habitat restoration to assist in the recovery of an ecosystem”, continued the minister.

The main objectives of the Guidelines are to:

·     promote environmentally friendly and ecologically sound forestation practices;

·     encourage greening and ecological restoration incentives in different areas using suitable species;

·     establish common standards of good forestation practices, in line with complimentary legislation and policy;

·     encourage ownership and long-term maintenance of forestation projects;

·     support the implementation of the National Trees and Woodlands Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2030; and

·     support Malta’s commitment and efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation.The general public and interested stakeholders are invited to take note of the draft Guidelines and provide feedback on its content on era.policy@era.org.mt, by not later than 29^th March 2022. Further information can be viewed from the following link: https://era.org.mt/consultation-on-legislation-and-policy/