A RUSH of people wanting to fish in a lake in Wadi Al Buhair was sparked by a video that went viral on TikTok, an MP has claimed.
The GDN reported on Monday that Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif had warned people against the practice as the fish were being farmed by the Health Ministry to eradicate the problem of mosquitoes and other insects.
He was reacting to an online video clip that went viral on TikTok and showed some Asian workers fishing in the lake.
“People took it as a challenge to make quick money, flocking to the valley en masse,” said Parliament financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman and area MP Mohammed Al Rifaee yesterday.
He pointed out that there were no clear signs in the area, informing people that the fish farm was being run by the Health Ministry.
‘No Fishing’ signs must be put up immediately, he added, calling for the presence of environmental, municipal, health and police patrols to prevent curious people from visiting the site.
Mr Al Rifaee said that the area residents have been claiming that there are mutated fish in the lake, which, if true, posed a serious health hazard.
“It is very difficult to determine the truth as the valley is open and anyone can dump anything there.
“The place has been, and will continue to be, an easy dumping ground for sewage, garbage, rubbish and building refuse so toxins can easily spread to the water there.
“Please refrain from fishing in Buhair, the fish is poisonous and the result could be disastrous.
“No amount of money from TikTok can replace health or life.”
Meanwhile, Southern Municipal Council legislative, administrative and financial committee chairman Mohammed Daraj urged action against Asians catching fish in the lake to make money.
“These people sell the fish to other expats on the streets; we warn these buyers not to buy the toxic fish,” he said.
“Also, those using the TikTok challenge to send others to the site should stop immediately because they are endangering the lives of other people.”
The GDN reported in September last year that the government has been urged to fast-track measures to protect ecological areas in Buhair Valley and crack down on illegal dumping.
The council stressed the need to map out protected areas and fence them off to stop people from trespassing or destroying the historic site.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had declared in July 2022 that the ecological areas in Buhair Valley that contain terrain and rocky hills must be considered as a ‘nature reserve’.
He called on the relevant authorities to take measures to preserve the zone, and directed officials to continue infrastructure development in the valley while taking into account its ecological significance.
He affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to preserve and develop areas of natural and historic value to support the country’s role as a tourism attraction.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))