The NGO Malta Ranger Unit, which currently overseeing the management of the Majjistral Nature and History Park in Mellieħa have launched a petition to Parliament to create a new Police unit dedicated to environmental crimes in Gozo. Malta’s Police have an Environmental Protection Unit which as of now is only active in Malta but not in Gozo.
The petition has been launched after illegal incidents at the Majjistral natural park keep increasing.
Gozo is being spared from many environmental enforcement rules, especially in bird hunting and trapping by the grace of Gozo and Environmental Minister Clint Camilleri whose constituents include Gozitan hunters.
The Malta Ranger Unit ensures that illegal activities at the Majjistral Park do not take place. Illegal activity in the Majjistral Park often include hunting, bird trapping, off-road driving with motorbikes and other vehicles and even illegal parties and events. However, lack of monitoring in other areas enables environmental crime to go unchecked, especially in Gozo.
On March 5th, rangers and police officers were stalked by masked men in Qala, Gozo after the Malta Ranger Unit filed a police report over animals abuse. The NGO has also been victim of attacks and threats by hunters with some of the rangers also stalked and harassed.
You can sign the petition here.
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