Smelly poultry and bleating goats may no longer be tolerated close to family homes in Manama as the authorities’ crackdown on unneighbourly behaviour of a country lifestyle in an urban setting.
It has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for swift action.
The decision came during an extraordinary meeting of the Capital Trustees Board after a detailed report by the services and public utilities committee, chaired by Mohammed Al Abbas, warned of the growing spread of livestock sheds, bird cages and rooftop breeding sites across densely populated residential areas.
“Our goal is not to punish professional breeders, but to organise this activity in a way that protects public health and the environment while ensuring they can continue their work legally and safely,” he said.
The committee reviewed a proposal submitted by Mr Al Abbas himself calling for a comprehensive and organised framework to address the issue in a way that protects public health, improves the urban landscape and allows participants to move to properly designated sites.
Mr Al Abbas said the spread of unregulated activities inside neighbourhoods had led to increasing complaints from residents over foul odours, insects, noise and environmental pollution caused by animal waste.
Over the years people have kept goats, chickens and other feathered friends in their homes, much to the angst of other residents, and one person even kept his horse in a living room of a property in Hamad Town.
Mr Al Abbas stressed that his proposal aligns with Bahrain’s broader vision for sustainable urban development and improving quality of life in residential, high-density areas.
The committee’s report outlined a phased implementation plan beginning with a comprehensive survey and classification of all existing animal pens, slaughter areas and bird breeding sites located within residential zones in the Capital Governorate.
It calls for the allocation and preparation of alternative sites away from homes, fully equipped with basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, paved roads and sanitation services.
“These activities should be moved to properly ‘zoned’ agricultural classifications such as FS2 and AGI areas where this type of work is already regulated and permitted,” Mr Al Abbas explained.
He added that breeders would be given sufficient notice and procedural support during the transition period, along with technical assistance to help them comply with the new arrangements before enforcement measures begin.
The committee also emphasised the need for community participation through consultative meetings with residents and breeders to explain the mechanisms of implementation and open channels for complaints and suggestions.
According to the report, applying the proposal would significantly reduce environmental pollution, improve traffic flow linked to unregulated activities, enhance property values and create a more organised and sustainable environment for animal breeding.
Capital Trustees Authority director-general Alya Yousif, stressed that the matter is not new and that clear agricultural classifications already exist for such activities.
“There are specialised agricultural zones such as Animals and Fisheries Food Security (FS2) and Agricultural Investment (AGI) where these practices are legally allowed,” she said.
“The issue is already regulated under existing laws, including the Public Health Law. What we need now is stronger enforcement and co-ordination with the relevant authorities to resolve the problem.”
Ms Yousif added that co-operation between the municipality and the relevant ministries would be essential to ensure smooth implementation and prevent the recurrence of the issue in residential areas.
Board vice-chairwoman Dr Khulood Al Qattan pointed out that one of the challenges is resistance from some breeders who prefer to keep animals within their homes.
“Some breeders do not want to move outside their homes. They keep animals on rooftops or in side cages inside residential properties,” she said.
Dr Al Qattan stressed that while traditions are respected, they cannot come at the expense of neighbours’ comfort, health and safety.
The board’s unanimous approval means the proposal will now move into the executive phase through co-ordination with the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry and other relevant bodies.
The recommendation calls for the proposal to be adopted as an integrated executive plan aimed at removing animal sheds and bird breeding sites from residential areas in a structured and legally supported manner.
Board chairman Saleh Tarradah believes the move will mark a significant step towards restoring order to residential neighbourhoods while supporting breeders through properly equipped alternatives that allow them to continue their activities without harming the surrounding community.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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