By REBECCA TORR
Published: 6th October 2007
MPs are calling for all of Bahrain’s 33 islands to be opened to citizens and tourists for the benefit of the country. Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Jawad Fairooz said Bahrain’s islands were rich in natural resources and citizens and tourists should be able to access and enjoy them. “We have 33 islands in Bahrain, but we only use the main island and a few others. The rest are closed, or controlled by specific people,” he told the GDN.
“For example Umm Al Na’asan is bigger than Muharraq, but no-one can enter it, although part of it could be used for very good environment tourism attractions or other services.”
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 6th October 2007
MPs are calling for all of Bahrain’s 33 islands to be opened to citizens and tourists for the benefit of the country. Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Jawad Fairooz said Bahrain’s islands were rich in natural resources and citizens and tourists should be able to access and enjoy them. “We have 33 islands in Bahrain, but we only use the main island and a few others. The rest are closed, or controlled by specific people,” he told the GDN.
“For example Umm Al Na’asan is bigger than Muharraq, but no-one can enter it, although part of it could be used for very good environment tourism attractions or other services.”
Mr Fairooz also pointed out that the government was spending BD66 million to reclaim land for the Northern Town, but Umm Al Na’asan was four times bigger and had not been thought of as an alternative.
“We need to know why this island is not being opened for the benefit of the people,” he added.
Mr Fairooz urged that Bahrain’s islands be cleaned up and developed to provide services for citizens and attract eco-tourists to the country.
However, he said the islands should be properly managed to ensure they are protected and not harmed by construction work.
“We think now is the time for us to explore these islands and open them to citizens and tourists,” said Mr Fairooz.
“We want Bahrain to be known as the 33 islands and we must protect them and feel and touch the beauty of them.”
He said the committee was studying eco-tourism opportunities and was currently collecting information about areas of Bahrain rich in natural resources, such as Fasht Al Adhm and Fasht Al Jarem.
Unfortunately, he said, most of Bahrain’s environment attractions were only enjoyed by a few individuals and largely unheard of in tourism literature.
Mr Fairooz said the committee was concerned about the damage reclamation and dredging was having on Bahrain’s natural resources.
“We are worried about losing the natural coastline and the effect on marine life and the fishing industry,” he explained.
“When they take sand from the sea, the silt that is removed harm coral reefs and marine life.
“It’s a very worrying issue and we will be tackling it in detail when the new parliament session starts on October 17.”
The committee recently held a meeting with Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife marine resources protection director-general Dr Jassim Al Qaseer and urged the establishment of an environment fund.
“We need to establish laws to protect the environment and we also need money to support the environment,” he said.
“So there is a plan to ask for funds and industries have to donate.”
Mr Fairooz also called for companies to be charged for taking sand from the sea.
He said sand was a part of Bahrain’s natural heritage and was not the property of private companies.
“It’s our natural resources, its value won’t be less than oil or gas, so how can we let these companies take it for a fee. We must seriously tackle this,” he said.
“If authorities allow them to take the sand they must be charged and this money must go to the protection of the environment and the fishing industry.”
On a positive note Mr Fairooz said the committee was pleased the government was taking action to repair environmental damage caused to Tubli Bay due to dumping factory waste and water from the Tubli Sewage Treatment Plant.
“One month ago we visited the bay and the good news is the government has assigned a committee to look after the rehabilitation of the bay and a consultant to clean the bay,” he said.
“So we are a little bit more hopeful that something will happen, but still we have not got the full details about the plan. We are planning to meet them after the new session starts.” becky@gdn.com.bh
© Gulf Daily News
