A national environmental campaign, led primarily by children, is set to begin along Bahrain’s northern coastline in a bid to restore one of the kingdom’s most culturally and socially significant coastal areas.
The northern coast, extending from Duraz to Karranah, is regarded as a historic and environmental landmark deeply embedded in the collective memory of villages along Nakheel Highway.
For generations, its shores witnessed the departure of pearl divers and fishermen seeking their livelihood at sea, reflecting a defining chapter in Bahrain’s social and economic history.
Over time, the coastline also evolved into a natural retreat for families, serving as a gathering place for leisure, recreation and social interaction.
Despite urban development and environmental pressures, it has continued to play that role for local communities to this day.
Northern Municipal Council Chairman and area councillor Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie said the coast represents more than a geographical feature.
“The northern coastline is a living record of our ancestors’ struggle and resilience. From these shores, Bahrainis built their livelihoods and shaped their identity,” he said. “Preserving it is not optional – it is a shared responsibility.”
Growing environmental awareness among residents has already prompted voluntary clean-up initiatives, particularly along Barbar’s shoreline. These grassroots efforts gained further momentum after children who frequent the coast began calling for action to protect the area and make it safer for recreational use.
“What truly inspired this campaign was the voice of children,” Dr Al Wedaie explained. “Their insistence on protecting the coast for play and enjoyment was a powerful reminder that environmental responsibility must start early.”
Their concerns triggered discussions between local stakeholders and Urbaser Bahrain, the company responsible for waste management in the Northern Governorate.
Talks with the firm’s management helped shape an initial plan focusing on the clean-up of Barbar Beach as a pilot step.
The Barbar initiative will form the first phase of a broader awareness and rehabilitation programme currently being prepared.
The long-term goal is a comprehensive clean-up campaign covering the entire northern coastline.
The programme will be implemented in co-operation with the Northern Municipality, Urbaser Bahrain, the Supreme Council for Environment and environmental associations active in community-based conservation.
Dr Al Wedaie stressed that the project is not limited to waste removal but aims to foster lasting environmental awareness.
“We want this to be an educational experience, especially for young participants,” he said. “Teaching children to care for their environment today ensures the protection of our natural heritage tomorrow.”
He added that safeguarding the coastline would help preserve it as a safe and welcoming space for current and future generations.
“The northern coast is a cultural and social treasure. Protecting it means protecting our history and ensuring that it remains a place of rest, beauty and connection for generations to come.”
The campaign is expected to draw wide participation from schools, families and community groups, reinforcing the message that environmental preservation is a collective duty – and that the future of Bahrain’s coastline may well begin in the hands of its children.
According to earlier reports by the GDN, CleanUp Bahrain has removed more than 58,000kg of waste on Bahrain’s shores since 2018.
Some of the beaches include Malkiya, Busaiteen, Jid Al Haj, Diraz, Demistan, Nurana, Karranah, Karbabad, Amwaj Islands,Salman City, Juffair, Arad, Janabiya and Askar.
The group picked up a total of 3,300kg waste in 2024 with its hands-on beach clean-ups, a drop from 7,600kg in the preceding year, with the collected general waste being transported to the Askar landfill in the Southern Governorate. Plastic litter is recycled locally.
CleanUp Bahrain is a non-profit volunteer organisation dedicated to reducing litter, protecting and preserving the kingdom’s beautiful beaches and promoting environmental awareness among citizens and residents.
The GDN reported last week that Bahrain reduced the volume of hazardous waste sent to landfill by more than 90 per cent through the establishment of an advanced technical facility for treatment and conversion into materials used in various industries.
Approximately 610,298 tonnes of waste were reused in construction and road projects during 2024, representing a growth rate of 28.82pc compared with previous years.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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