Bahrija Oasis, Malta

Location of Project: Bahrija Rabat, Malta
Start Date: 2003
Expected Completion Date (when expected to be financially self-sufficient): 2012

Project Concept:

A permaculture farm demonstrating sustainable farming and low impact methods while integrating modern green technology. A field for further research and development which would allow for volunteers and students to implement such ecological methods and find ways to disseminate them into other projects.

Project Description:

Bahrija oasis is a small scale research and development project promoting permaculture systems and integrating today’s green technology with ecological land based living through a sustainable vision.

An introduction to the project

Situated off the west north-west coast of Malta, Bahrija Oasis borrows the former part of its name from the little village of Bahrija on the outskirts of Rabat. The setting is in the picturesque valley of Bahrija which hosts a number of native trees, shrubs and endemic fauna.

The project is based on a 3.5 acre terraced section of land in the valley. Prior to the commencement of the project in 2003, the land was in a degraded state and open to the elements - predominantly the NW and NE winds. Moreover it was constantly being abused and exploited by trappers and hunters for their respective unsustainable pastimes.

Five years later, the project displays a beautiful traditional dry stone wall on its NW side which protects it from the prevailing North West winds and shelters its hundreds of young indigenous trees and saplings. It also holds an under-ground water reservoir (MEPA approved PA 0897/03) with a capacity of around 144,000 litres of water. Keyline land/swale designs harvest rainwater and channel it to the cistern to gravity drip irrigate trees and organic crops on two-thirds of the land.

Several traditional giant reed windbreakers further protect new and old trees and have made an incredible improvement to their health and speeded their growth. Retaining dry stone-walls hold soil from eroding and a system of swales (manually constructed earth mounds) direct and manage rainwater run-off beneficially. Systematically planted shrubs and trees form corridors for micro-climate conditions and attract natural wildlife while mimicking a natural pattern.

Aerial view of Bahrija valley and surrounding cliffs

The Bahrija Oasis Vision

The project aims to function as a self reliant ecological small-holding while forming a biotope in order to enrich the landscape and serve as a functioning natural refuge for wildlife. Thus the project is proposing an exemplar that will act as a milestone and a reference point for sustainable development possibilities. It will also support and produce a substantial amount of organic crops and other natural products while hosting educational workshops to raise awareness on related environmental issues.

Water, soil, biodiversity and natural heritage conservation, protection, restoration and rehabilitation are all issues of main priorities in Malta. Axis 3 of the National Rural and development programme 2007-2013, highlights these issues and stresses the importance of new approaches.

The time has come for a thorough study of the contributions and implications of permaculture development for the local and wider community in relation to such issues. Permaculture design systems are increasingly proving to enrich and enhance the land with a sustainable ecology and a natural capital for future generations.

The concept is that of a new visionary eco-small holding merging with the natural environment while serving as an on-the-ground educational venue. The site will become a successful demonstration of low impact living and demonstrate enhanced natural design for harnessing natural energies.

Project Duration & Schedule:

The project has already been going on for a few years on a part time basis, until now.

So far, the boundaries have been established with traditional dry stone walls. Rain water catchments and swales have been built on side roads and channelled into the land in various areas while others are planned to be done during the coming year.

There is no defined time frame for the duration of the project as we plan to have it ongoing indefinitely. We are though in the phase, where we should take it to a more full time and more hands to the ground approach.

The project is presently also working on defining what energy needs it will face when it takes on. We are in an area that is off grid and are planning a PV and small scale wind-turbine system. Once this is setup, the plan is to host various workshops and courses with PDC as the main event.

Project Needs:

We are looking for funding locally through the European funding schemes and soon hope to the gates for the first volunteers.