THE natural beauty of Hawar Islands should be showcased in a big way to help fast-track an application to recognise the area as a World Heritage Site, said a councillor.
Bahrain’s last remaining true natural wilderness archipelago comprises six major and more than 30 smaller islands that are close to the Zurban Peninsula 26km southwest of the mainland.
“The islands, untouched and highly vulnerable, possess a unique natural beauty, a national yet irreplaceable value,” says the Unesco World Heritage Convention website.
“Despite the small size of these islands, they carry a lot of attractions for all nature lovers and wildlife adventurers,” it adds.
“The migratory waders, the multi-coloured coral reefs, the wandering herds of endangered sea cows, peacefully swimming through the shallow calm green waters among flourishing sea grass beds represent some fascinating scenes of the islands’ natural attractions.”
Two other sites in Bahrain were placed on a tentative list to be considered as Unesco World Heritage Site since 2019.
They are Old Town Manama, considered one of the most important trade hubs in the region in the last 150 years, and The Awali Oil Settlement, where oil was first discovered and exploited on the Arabian Peninsula.
However, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) has not presented a comprehensive dossier for the three sites yet.
“Of the three, Hawar Islands is the easiest to get recognition since it is a natural habitat that doesn’t include any buildings or structures which require assessment,” said area councillor Hizam Al Dossary.
“An initial request was submitted in 2001 to have the islands considered as a World Heritage Site. This was renewed in 2019 with the addition of Manama and Awali in 2019, but nothing has been actually done to fast-track approval,” he added.
“Hawar is rich with marine and wildlife, which generations of Bahrainis are attached to, and could be easily showcased to the world in two sanctuary museums as part of many attractions that the government could have there.”
Ambitious plans to create an underwater city in the sea surrounding Hawar Islands was approved by the Southern Municipal Council in June following a proposal by Mr Al Dossary.
He believes the Atlantis-inspired project could attract thousands of visitors.
The Lost City of Atlantis, first mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato more than 2,300 years ago, is known as one of the oldest and greatest mysteries of the world. According to Plato, the utopian island-kingdom existed some 9,000 years before his time and mysteriously disappeared one day.
The proposed attraction would include a ‘memory lane’ adventure with a dive story-museum, and sunken ships and submarines besides a glass underwater aquarium in which guests are invited to experience the sea without getting wet.
Councillors in March asked the government to start feasibility, environmental and technical studies on a multi-million dinar 23km causeway linking Hawar Islands to Bahrain’s mainland rather than wait until funding is available.
One option suggested included building a bridge stretching from the furthest point in the south of Bahrain, Ras Al Bar, to the northwest corner of Hawar.
The same council in March last year approved a proposal for the causeway, but members were informed by former minister Essam Khalaf that tight government budgets would have to be directed towards more urgent infrastructure projects on the mainland.
As reported by the GDN, a new eco-tourism-themed beach resort offering villas over water and having its own helipad is set to open on Hawar Islands in 2024.
Announcing the Mantis Bahrain Hawar Island Hotel & Resort, Edamah, the real-estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, said the property would be situated on the west coast of the island and be surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, making it a ‘one-of-a-kind destination in the Middle East’.
The announcement followed an agreement between Edamah and AccorHotels Group, which has the conservation-focused Mantis brand in its portfolio.
The three current World Heritage Sites in Bahrain are: the Pearl Route, Bahrain Fort and Dilmun Burial Mounds.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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