Bahrain’s only natural lake is 93 per cent submerged and currently serves as a major protected rainwater reservoir for the area, with the government saying the remaining 7pc dry portions could be considered for future development.
Municipalities Affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said the submerged section of Al Luzi Lake is being used as part of the solution for managing and collecting rainwater.
He said the ministry would examine the possibility of developing the remaining non-submerged parts of the property through future projects in the coming years, provided the necessary budgets are available and the required approvals are secured.
The clarification comes as Northern Municipal Council technical committee chairman and Luzi area councillor Jassim Hejres renewed calls for a long-term solution for the lake, which has for years been at the centre of debate over flooding, stagnant water, mosquitoes and unpleasant odours.
He has urged the government to either clean it up, put it into recreational, business or tourist use, or reclaim it and build homes on it.
“The ministry will look into the possibility of developing the remaining non-submerged parts of the property within its future projects in the coming years, subject to the availability of the necessary budgets and obtaining the approvals of the relevant authorities,” Shaikh Mohammed said.
For Mr Hejres, however, the future of Luzi cannot be separated from the condition of the lake itself.
He said the original vision was to transform the naturally formed lake into an environmental and recreational destination, with walkways and leisure facilities, rather than leaving it as a largely stagnant water body.
The lake, located between Hamad Town and Hamala, was once known for attracting migratory birds and wildlife. But large portions have since been reclaimed for development, while the remaining water area has become increasingly associated with stagnant water and complaints from nearby residents.
Mr Hejres said the authorities had previously considered cleaning and aerating the lake, with a project approved in 2016, but delays meant the full scheme did not materialise.
He also pointed to the lake’s potential role in managing heavy rainfall, making its future more complicated than simply filling it in and developing the land.
The latest government response effectively places the 93pc submerged portion in the rainwater-management category, while leaving the door open for the remaining land to be considered for development.
That could provide a new chapter for Luzi – one in which the lake continues to perform a practical role in protecting surrounding communities from rainwater, while its unused land is brought into future municipal planning.
However, Mr Hejres insists that a final government decision is needed on what Luzi should ultimately become.
An earlier environmental study presented to the council estimated that BD1.2 million would be needed to clean and rehabilitate the lake, with a further BD400,000 annually required to keep the water aerated and prevent stagnation. The area is also a hotbed for mosquito breeding with authorities taking action periodically by deploying teams of insecticide sprayers targeting likely areas of potential infestations.
The lake is home to thousands of migratory birds as well as marine species and other forms of wildlife, despite lacking a connection to the sea. This has long raised concerns over water quality, especially after it was labelled a ‘health hazard’ due to the lack of fresh water inflow. However, lab tests conducted by the Health Ministry in May 2019 indicated that the lake’s condition was ‘better than first thought’.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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