Photos

Bring to light the Verdala Spire

submitted
filed under Photos

A dominant feature of the Verdala Retrenchment, on Margherita Hill in Cospicua, built during British times is a unique spire on top of the hall. The hall dates back to the years 1871 – 1874. The spire by HB Evans is the only Victorian spire found in Malta. The premises were restored recently. However the metal cover of the spire needs special treatment to avoid corrosion by rusting. If rain, manages to penetrate, being acidic it will rot the wood causing chemical weathering as we learnt during our geography lessons. We interviewed persons working on site. They have made several attempts to create awareness about this unique spire. They suggested that the metal cover of the spire should be given constant professional maintenance and then light it up at night. If lit up, the spire will be a focal point for it can be seen from the Upper Barakka Gardens.



Read More

Shaken and rattled by quarry blasts

submitted
filed under Photos

The Naxxar quarry limits of Mosta is very close to the habitat, about half a kilometre away from homes. According to people living in the vicinity, the quarry blast explosions are causing vibrations to buildings, quite like earthquakes. Apart from this, these explosives used in hard stone quarrying are threatening the stability of valley slopes and damaging the archaeological cart ruts found in the area. These quarry operations are producing air pollution, and dust contamination. After interviewing some local people, I’ve discovered that lots of reports were made to the police and to the Naxxar and Mosta Local Councils but people living in the area said that no actions have been taken by now. Does anyone measure vibrations within the area of the quarry? Does anyone care about the effects caused to the people living close by? Immediate action is needed.



Read More

Sustainable Sea Waves

submitted
filed under Photos

Since Malta depends totally on the imports of fossil fuels for the provision of energy, it would be worthwhile if another source of energy acquisition be considered for the Maltese Islands. Transforming the energy of waves into usable energy is a valuable source of energy that is constantly present, in the sea waves. This is formed by the wind energy which is transmitted to the sea causing the formations of waves, which then is transported towards the coasts. This source of energy is considered to be a clean and safe source of power which could be explored and exploited in Malta. Since the Maltese Islands get rough high sea waves due to the high winds of 96 km/h this could be an innovation for Malta to start generating energy from sea waves. Because of climate change, there is a growing interest worldwide for renewable energy, including wave energy.



Read More

Wied Incita

submitted
filed under Photos

This is a view of the upper part of Wied Inċita which starts off from the countryside surrounding the village of Attard. This is a short walking distance from my home and I visit the place regularly. Unfortunately this part of the valley is not appreciated by many as it is very close to a busy road and throughout most of the year it is usually dry and not particularly attractive. But when it rains for several days, water starts to stream through it and in a short period of time all kinds of plants and flowers start to grow. If you are lucky you might also come across tadpoles swimming and frogs hopping around. What makes me angry is the lack of appreciation for the natural environment of some people who litter this gem of a place with empty bottles and other rubbish.



Read More

L-Effett tat-Traskuraġni

submitted
filed under Photos

L-egoiżmu tal-bniedem huwa spiss il-kaġun prinċipali ta’ kif jitniġġeż l-ilma, li huwa riżors importanti ħafna għal ħajjitna. Madwar il-Gżejjer Maltin insibu diversi ġibjuni tal-Gvern li wħud minnhom mhumiex miżmuma fi stat tajjeb. Wieħed minn dawn il-ġibjuni li jinstab fl-Imqabba, qiegħed imdawwar bix-xibka. Sfortunatament, postijiet minnhom ix-xibka hija maqlugħa minn postha. B’ kaġun t’ hekk, kull meta tkun x-xita, ammont raġonevoli ta’ skart li jkun fit-toroq tal-Imqabba qed jibqa’ jserrep mal-kurrent tal-ilma tax-xita sakemm fl-aħħar jispiċċa ġo dan il-ġibjun. Minbarra l-effett ikrah għal għajnejn il-bniedem, traskuraġni ta’ dan it-tip qed tħalli effett ukoll fuq l-ilma. Dan għaliex qed jiġi kkontaminat bil-kimiċi mill-ħmieġ. Agħar minn hekk, l-ilma mniġġeż qed jikkontamina diversi nsetti u speċi oħra li jistgħu jaffetwawlna saħħitna wkoll. Bla dubju l-effett tat-traskuraġni qed ikun aktar ħsara fuq ħajjitna u fuq il-ġenerazzjonijiet tal-futur.



Read More

Il-ħajja għaddejja ġurnata b’ġurnata … u l-bini tiela’ blokka ħdejn blokka!

submitted
filed under Photos

Ma nafx … imma fil-fond ta' qalbi nista’ naħseb kemm tkun miġugħa persuna meta fit-tfulija taghħa tmur tiġri u tilgħab fil- kampanja u l-għelieqi tal-madwar, imbagħad jgħaddi perjodu ta’ żmien u x' ħin terġa tkun hemm ma tara xejn ħlief vilel jew djar, flatsijiet jew xi lukandi. Blokka ħdejn blokka qishom djar tal-pupi. Qed nitilfu ż-żoni rurali minn minuta għall-oħra, minkejja l-fatt li sfortunatament ħafna djar li huma diġa` mibnija huma abbandunati. X’ egoiżmu! Fejn marru dawk il-postijiet naturali li fihom kienu jirrikreaw ruħhom il-ġenerazzjonijiet ta’ qabilna? L-iżvilupp urban qed jillimita kif u fejn aħna nistgħu ngawdu l-ambjent naturali. Mhux ta’ b’xejn li jien u ħafna żgħażagħ bħali qegħdin nqattgħu ħafna aktar ħin fuq mezzi oħra ta’ teknoloġija!



Read More

Il-Ġebla fuq Saqajna

submitted
filed under Photos

Minħabba li qed ngħixu f’soċjeta` konsumerista ta’ kuljum aħna l-Maltin nikkunsmaw ammont kbir ta’ prodotti u servizzi. Dan bla dubju jħalli warajh ħafna skart. Il-poplu Malti huwa magħruf bħala poplu bieżel u li dejjem inaddaf daru. Minkejja dan, sfortunatament, xena bħal din t’ hawn fuq spiss narawha komuni madwar il-bliet u l-irħula Maltin. Agħar minn hekk, ħafna Maltin għadhom mhumiex konxji dwar l-importanza li l-iskart li narmu ikun isseparat biex imbagħad wara, jiġi rriċiklat f’ riżorsi oħra. Prattika bħal din tar-ritratt hija bla dubju tifsira ta’ kif u għaliex ħafna kimiċi u tossiċi ħżiena qed ikunu b’ mod inviżibbli ta’ kumpanija magħna. Konxji li qed nitfgħu il-ġebla fuq saqajna?



Read More

Littered beaches

submitted
filed under Photos

Have you ever wondered what careless dumping can do? …..This is a local beach that is full of plastic rubbish that has been transferred to this otherwise beautiful spot by sea current. This plastic debris, most likely was carelessly dumped into the sea by boat owners. Any sea creatures can mistake this plastic litter with their food. But are just boat owners that are littering our sea? Tourists visiting our islands, coming across such a littered beach will retain a bad impression. A clean-up operation is urgently called for by responsible authorities before the tourists season starts in earnest. The authorities should also post signs to keep the beaches clean, and organise a media campaign to educate the public on the harm of irresponsible plastic waste.



Read More

Should we allow yachts to obstruct the view of our historical places?

submitted
filed under Photos

What a shame that we permit huge yachts to remain within the Birgu Marina and obstruct the view of historical buildings around the harbour. I reported this case to the Local Council of Vittoriosa and they promised to see what they can do. The question is not about yachts coming and going but more about long term stays of huge yachts within the Birgu Marina. Tourists come to visit our historical locations and not to see huge yachts taking up the view. Whatever the money these yachts pay they should not obstruct the view of our historical architecture. I suggest that rules in this regard are adopted whereby yachts do not take up prominent locations in those marinas which are close to historical places. Another option could be that short stays are offered to such yachts in unique locations till an alternative is found. Historical heritage comes before money.



Read More

Reduce Speed Now

submitted
filed under Photos

No it is not a big fish! It is a street sign! Have you ever thought of reducing speed when swimming? No – this is not the case, because this is purely vandalism that a street sign found itself in shallow water. This can be hazardous to small children playing in this shallow sea. Is it possible that the sign is too small that cannot be seen from the public? We invested in local councils and local services, so is it that we are not working hard on awareness? Why is it difficult to protect our environment? This can cause a disruption in the eco-system of the nearby area since the pole can rust and cause contamination in the sea where it would kill a lot of sea organisms and small fish. People who wouldn’t notice the contamination of the nearby water can get infection which is why I keep wondering why no one hasn’t removed the pole from there and as the sign suggests we should reduce the speed that is destroying this world.



Read More