A SENIOR municipal official has put forward a proposal to allow trekkers and campers to enter Bahrain’s wildlife sanctuary.
Southern Municipal Council chairman Ahmed Al Ansari wants to allow guided adventures, trekking trails and huts for overnight stays set up at Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve, which is located on a total land area of seven square kilometres in Sakhir.
The council has referred the proposal to the Cabinet for feedback and based on that it will hold a vote on approving or rejecting it.
If approved it will be left to authorities to decide if they want to carry out the project or open the door for private investors.
Mr Al Ansari said he hoped the Cabinet would approve the proposal and urged government officials to “think outside the box” to come up with innovative ideas to attract tourists and investment.
“People shouldn’t think the proposal to have camping and trekking in Al Areen is a joke because it is as serious as they come,” he said.
“I will submit examples of countries that have smaller wildlife sanctuaries and have introduced such services, and they include Singapore and Taiwan, and there are other countries that are thinking outside the box to utilise similar natural habitats.
“Government officials have to get themselves out of the box that they wrap themselves in, and begin thinking innovatively to start attracting investment, which if we don’t take advantage of now one of our neighbours in the GCC will snatch it up.
“I mean it won’t cost much to have wooden huts and proper lighting in the park for people to stay the night there, go camping or trekking.
“It is a simple concept that would make thousands of dinars, whether the government wants to do it directly or through investors, and I would choose investors.”
The proposal also tackles security issues to ensure visitors are safe from wild animals located in the park and to protect some of the endangered species as well.
“Surveillance cameras could be installed, while there could be security personnel present to safeguard the location, whether from visitors trying to hunt or animals wanting to prey,” he said.
“So the place will continue operating in the safest environment possible.
“The expected revenue could be used to provide animals in the park with more care, while also helping them increase breeding.
“The schedule for daily visits to the park is full and this shows that there will be bidders for the project.”
Officials from the sanctuary and the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry could not be reached for comment.
Al Areen is home to 82 species of birds, 25 plant species and 45 mammal species.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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