Update 2 - Mepa insists works did not affect ecological integrity of site

The Gaia Foundation, which manages Ramla Bay in Gozo, has defended the use of a bullzozer to remove pebbles from the beach early last Friday. In a statement, it said no intervention took place on the sand dunes. Stones extraneous to the site were removed while excess amount of pebbles were placed along the water course, to remain within the natural eco system. "The works that were carried out did not effect the ecological integrity of the site, but restored the normal state of the beach that was disturbed by the denuding of sand beneath the Belancourt battery and the presence of the said stones extraneous to the natural elements of the beach," the foundation said. In its statement, the foundation explained that over the years it has observed that sand is blown away from the area beneath the Belancourt Battery to the other side of the beach in a South Westerly direction by the prevailing North Westerlies. This sand is usually replaced by sand washed ashore with the current with the North Easterly winds. When these North Easterlies do not blow often, this part of the beach remains denuded of sand. Owing to the collapse of the sea wall constructed by the Knights that ran across the...