POLICE patrols have started near a lake in Buhair Valley to prevent people from rushing there to carry out a TikTok dare.
A challenge that went viral on the popular video-sharing application saw people landing up in droves at the site to fish, to get more followers and make quick money.
However, as reported previously in the GDN, the fish in the lake are being farmed by the Health Ministry to eradicate the problem of mosquitoes and other insects in the area.
Southern Municipal Council chairman and area councillor Abdulla Abdullatif said the police patrols were necessary after things went out of control.
“It started as a TikTok challenge for fishing but evolved into something more dangerous such as promoting live drug use and alcohol consumption near the lake,” he said.
“Buhair Valley is already an environmental mess, and we don’t need irresponsible people making it worse.
“The police presence has scared a few people, but there are fanatics who could care less and want to take on the challenge to make quick money.”
Mr Abdullatif said that the fish were put into the lake, along with frogs and turtles, so that they would consume mosquito larvae and put a stop to the flying menace.
He pointed out that the council had received numerous complaints from area residents, demanding tougher action against trespassers.
“We can’t ask the police to cordon off all access to the valley; it remains an open natural reserve,” he said.
“People living in the area need to get out of their homes and return without taking lengthy diversions, or being questioned by police.
“I hope the ‘Do it in Buhair’ trend ends so that the place could return to being calm and quiet.”
Mr Abdullatif also urged inspectors from other concerned ministries to step up and do their jobs.
“It is not just a security issue, there are other environmental, municipal and health problems,” he added.
The GDN reported earlier this month that a section of the government-protected cliffs in Wadi Al Buhair was demolished due to a ‘miscommunication’ despite the site being declared as a natural reserve by royal order.
Located in East Riffa, geologists say that the eons-old ecological landmark contains many examples of geological phenomena completely unique to Bahrain such as ridges embedded with 45-million-year-old fossils.
The lake is considered an important location for wildlife and remains home to many species of plants and migrating birds.
The site has been undergoing demolition to make way for residential and commercial developments and is under threat of disappearing altogether, campaigning groups fear. Up to two-thirds has already been levelled, it has been reported.
Last July, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, decreed that the ecological areas in the valley (terrain and rocky hills) be considered a nature reserve.
The decision followed a campaign launched by the local community and several ecologists calling for a halt to the destruction of the valley.
Around 3,700 people signed an online petition, ‘Save Wadi Al Buhair’, last year while environment lovers trekked down the valley seeking the most picturesque spots to paint, photograph and draw.
Musical pieces and poetry were composed and performed in the valley, while geologists, biologists and wildlife experts gave talks about the site’s significance.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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