Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park (Mellieha)

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(Ix-Xagħra l-Ħamra) A wonderful place to walk, full of Mediterranean wildlife. Don't let the nationalists spoil it with a golf course, theme park, or even a nature park with stands selling burgers and chips. Let's keep it natural. Thank you.

mt.majjistral.org/

The area in the northwest of Malta, which includes the coastal area from Golden Bay to Il-Prajjet and ix- Xagħra l-Ħamra, was declared a national park by the Government of Malta by Legal Notice 251 of 2007 in September 2007. The Park has taken the name of the northwest wind/region: majjistral in the Maltese language.

The Park’s area includes a stretch of 6km of protected coast designated as part of a larger Special Area of Conservation of International Importance within the Natura 2000 network of sites as per the European Habitats Directive. The directive calls for the effective management of such sites through the adoption and implementation of management plans.

The Majjistral Park also contains a number of historical and archaeological sites that have been identified in one of a series of studies commissioned by the Malta Tourism Authority. Whilst various areas of the park still sustain agricultural activities, other areas consist of natural habitats. The park organises regular outdoor activities which aim to encourage an active lifestyle while becoming aware of the natural heritage of the area. Educational school visits are held during the cooler months while summer sees more of a focus on the coast with guided snorkelling sessions offered at the beautiful sandy beach of Golden Bay which has been designated as Beach of Quality according to international Blue Flag criteria.

The Park is being managed by the Heritage Parks Federation consisting of 3 NGOs involved in coastal management, cultural restoration and environmental protection. The management is overseen by a management board, composed of 3 representatives from the NGOs, three from the public sector, Mellieħa Local Council and a chairperson. The Management Board is currently made up of the following members: Chairperson: Dr. Carmen Sammut, Members: Ms Nadia Suda Lanzon, Mr Darren Saliba, Mr Joe Christina, Mr John Buttigieg, Mr Peter Mamo, Mr. Martin Galea, Dr. Rudolf Ragonesi, Mr. Vince Attard.