Bahrain’s only natural lake could be fully reclaimed to pave way for 1,000 new social homes.
The call to reclaim Al Luzi Lake has been made by area MP Abdulhakim Al Sheno and councillor Jassim Hejres who believe that nothing substantial has been done for years to protect the place.
The body of water between Hamad Town and Hamala has become a festering swamp due to reclamation that has seen half of it turned into homes.
The GDN reported earlier that bids were opened for businesses to be set up around the lake under a plan to turn the area into a proper eco-friendly destination.
Bidders were required to undertake regular cleaning and maintenance of the lake, while funding the construction of a walkway around it.
However, the place witnesses regular flooding during heavy rainfall.
An initial study conducted by environmental experts and presented to the Northern Municipal Council showed that the cost of cleaning up the lake would be around BD1.2 million.
The study added it would also cost around BD400,000 to carry out regular annual maintenance to ensure the water does not become stagnant.
The lake is not registered under the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) despite its protected status and continues to be a property under the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry.
The lake was previously reduced in size to allow work on a government housing project in partnership with private developers.
“There are no government efforts to protect Bahrain’s only natural lake and keeping it as it is has contributed to numerous hazards over recent years,” said Mr Al Sheno.
“The lake is the source of an unbearable stench and the presence of swarms of mosquitoes due to water stagnancy as it has no channel to the sea,” he said.
“For several times over the past few years, the lake has flooded, due to its confined nature, during heavy rains, with the government paying thousands of dinars in compensations to families living around it.
“There is nothing telling us to keep the lake and it is time for it to be reclaimed and 1,000 social homes built instead.”
Authorities are regularly working to clear the flooded rainwater channels in nearby Hamad Town, which have been inundated by overflow from the lake.
The GDN reported that concerns about disease and children possibly drowning in the flooded water channels had prompted calls for action in the area around the lake.
The lake is home to thousands of migrating birds, besides other wildlife and marine species.
In December 2016, the Works Ministry agreed to clean and aerate the lake after it became a festering swamp due to nearby reclamation.
However, a lack of funds meant work was put on hold until the 2017-2018 national budget was approved, but even after that the project was once again left out because MPs said it would strain the budget.
The boundary wall was finally plugged in 2019.
“Al Luzi is Bahrain’s only naturally existing lake, but with negligence it has turned into the country’s biggest swamp,” said Mr Hejres.
“The government can’t afford to clean it up, and due to the mounting residue on its bed and bacteria on the water’s surface it has turned from a major birds’ hub into a source of illnesses and death.”
“Al Luzi could have been a home for aqua theme parks, sports and activities, with its surroundings having numerous cafés and restaurants, which is similar to Amwaj Islands, but much better considering the natural aspect,” he explained.
“However, it is clear that lack of interest from the government and investors over the years has not given us many options and it is time for the lake to be reclaimed and replaced with hundreds of government homes.”
Tests by the Health Ministry have shown repeatedly that the lake wasn’t stagnant, dirty or contaminated and has oxygen.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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