Natural Beauty or Human Disaster?

The idea of conserving the environment is widely acknowledged but are we really taking action to preserve geographical features like the Azure Window in Dwejra (Gozo)?

Lately media has focused on the disruption of the ecological features in Dwejra due to the machinery used in a film set. However, damage has always been done to the krastic and fossil features by tramping of tourists, driving of vehicles and even fossil theft.  Quarry heaps and soils from fields have deposited silt on the sediment. All this has reduced the extent of the habitat for various communities. (Mepa research)

In order to restore the beauty of the landscape fossil theft should be minimized, wooden paths elevated from the ground could be built in order for tourists to walk on while no vehicles should be allowed to drive on the restricted area.

Article & Photo by Rachel Powell, Form 5 Biology, submitted for YRE competition 2011