A group of 267 academics and professionals has issued a powerful public statement urging the Government to reimagine Manoel Island as a public nature reserve and cultural heritage park. The appeal highlights a rare opportunity to align national priorities with environmental sustainability, public health, and community well-being.
As reported earlier by The Maltese Herald, MIDI has announced it is surrendering its Manoel Island concession after failing to meet development targets and contractual obligations. This shift comes amid growing public pressure and a change in government stance in favour of preserving the islet for public use.
โMalta stands at a critical crossroads,โ the experts write. โTransforming Manoel Island into a natural space is not just a legal matter, it is a national opportunity to invest in long-term resilience and shared health.โ
Located in the urban heart of Sliema and Gลผira, Manoel Island is described as a โrare and irreplaceable socio-ecological asset.โ The proposal calls for the planting of native trees and the creation of a protected space that supports biodiversity, offers cooling and clean air, and enhances mental and physical health.
While acknowledging ongoing green initiatives like Project Green and the โฌ700 million environmental fund, the signatories argue that Malta now needs larger-scale ecological projects – spaces โlargely free from intensive developmentโ that serve the whole public.
They call on the government to:
- Reassess the Manoel Island concession in light of unfulfilled obligations,
- Reclaim the site for public use,
- Designate it as a protected socio-ecological and cultural zone.
They also challenge the notion that public investment in the site would be a burden. โUnlike private developments accessible to a few, a national park offers lasting, equitable benefits for all.โ
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