A sweeping field campaign by the Southern Municipality has led to the removal of 28 illegal animal pens and 125 truckloads of waste and fertilisers from a residential area within Dar Kulaib.
The operation, carried out in Block 1048 with the support of the Interior Ministry, targeted unauthorised structures and road encroachments that had triggered complaints from residents over odours, pests and health risks.
Officials said the action was taken under Decree-Law No 2 of 1996 on the Occupation of Public Roads, which regulates the use of streets, pavements and public squares, and empowers municipalities to remove violations administratively when public spaces are occupied without a permit.
Southern Municipality director-general Isa Al Buainain said the campaign was part of a wider inspection and enforcement plan led by the municipality’s monitoring, inspection and sanitation teams across the governorate.
“These field inspections are not random,” he said. “They are part of a structured plan to detect construction violations and illegal occupation of roads and public spaces through continuous patrols. Our goal is to correct these situations in accordance with the law and preserve the urban character of residential areas.”
He noted that offenders had been notified to report to the municipality and rectify their status, but urgent action became necessary due to the scale of the violations and their impact on the community.
“The presence of unlicensed structures and random encroachments led to the spread of foul smells, rodents and insects, directly harming the environment and public health of residents in Dar Kulaib,” Mr Al Buainain explained.
“We therefore took immediate administrative measures to remove these violations.”
He stressed that the 1996 decree-law was clear in prohibiting any occupation of roads and pavements without prior municipal approval, as such practices obstruct traffic flow, distort the public appearance of neighbourhoods and compromise safety.
“The law exists to protect movement, public safety and the general appearance of our towns and villages,” he added. “It also gives municipalities the authority to act swiftly when these rules are ignored.”
He confirmed that similar inspection campaigns are ongoing across the Southern Governorate, focusing not only on illegal pens and waste accumulation, but also on blocked pavements, unlicensed street vendors and unauthorised roadside setups.
Legal measures are being taken against violators to ensure compliance with municipal regulations, officials said, adding that sustained enforcement was key to maintaining clean, organised and environmentally friendly urban communities.
“We are committed to preserving the urban identity of our areas and ensuring they remain clean, safe and sustainable for residents,” Mr Al Buainain said. “These campaigns will continue wherever violations are detected.”
Residents in Dar Kulaib welcomed the move, saying the clearance had already improved the surroundings and reduced nuisance in the area.
Mr Al Buainain urged members of the public to co-operate by reporting violations and obtaining proper permits before using public spaces, reiterating that protecting neighbourhoods is a shared responsibility between authorities and the community.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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