More trees have been uprooted at the Santa Lucija jogging track, although some have been ‘replanted’ at the other end of the garden.
The uprooting of trees in the area, part of the upcoming Santa Lucija tunnels project, has caused outrage.
Last week, a group of young activists held a number of vigils in the area to protest against the destruction of trees. Similar protests have been held in connection with the Central Link project in Attard.
Almost 300 trees will be axed as part of the project which will see the construction of an underpass in Santa Lucija to complement the Marsa Junction project while a further 250 or so will be transplanted. Infrastructure Malta have argued that there will be a net increase of 300 trees once the project is complete.
NGOs and a Santa Lucija residents’ association have said that they were not consulted about the uprooting of trees and have urged the government to amend its plans in order to save the trees.
But despite these calls, works on the project have continued and more trees have been removed. The area where the project is taking place has now been surrounded by green netting but the extent of the works can still be seen from outside. Several trees that had been heavily pruned have now been completely uprooted.
Around 20 trees have been moved to the far end of the jogging track, near the entrance to Santa Lucija from Tal-Barrani Road. According to reports, other trees have been replanted in Dingli.
Photos: Neil Camilleri
