ERA deposits boulders to protect l-Aħrax in Mellieħa

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has deposited boulders at l-Aħrax in Mellieħa in an attempt to stop off-road vehicles from accessing the site. Access was blocked at the end of Triq Daħlet ix-Xmajjar after the authority issued a Stop and Compliance Order last month. "This action will further protect the natural habitats of the area and allow for their restoration through natural regeneration," ERA said in a statement. ERA published the Natura 2000 Management Plan for this area in 2016, following extensive public consultation. The management plan’s objectives seek to improve the conservation of the habitats present at Daħlet ix-Xmajjel through a number of access control measures such as the control of access of non-authorised vehicle access. The site where the action took place falls within a Natura 2000 site, designated as a protected area under the Environment Protection Act.