The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is requiring that the Hili Group will plant 540 new indigenous trees in Comino as part of the conditions attached to its development on the island.In a statement outlining the environmental obligations imposed on the project, ERA said the requirement follows its decision to demand 10 new trees for every protected tree removed.A total of 54 protected trees are expected to be removed under the development permit, resulting in the obligation to plant 540 indigenous replacements.ERA said these form part of 678 trees and shrubs earmarked for removal, adding that 92% of them are not protected species and consist mainly of oleanders and ornamental palms.Meanwhile, another 348 trees will be transplanted within the same site, all but seven of which are protected.ERA stressed that the developer will also be legally obliged to plant another 10 trees for every protected tree that does not survive the transplantation process.Any replacement trees will have to come from the same Maltese genetic stock.The environmental authority said the conditions were established using its scientific expertise and the findings of the project’s mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment, which looked into the potential effects of the development on Comino’s vegetation and trees.According to ERA, these requirements are intended to ensure that mitigation and compensation measures are in place to minimise the environmental impact of the works.The authority’s statement comes amid scrutiny surrounding the scale and environmental impact of the proposed redevelopment in Comino.What do you make of this?•