MUNICIPAL councillors want to develop Bahrain’s only wildlife park into a sanctuary that comprises a zoo and camping sites.
The Southern Municipal Council has approved a proposal to allow for development work at Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve in order to attract more visitors in the future.
Al Areen, which opened in 1976, covers an area of 7sqm – 3sqm for the park and 4sqm for the reserve. It features 82 species of birds, 45 species of animals and 25 species of plants.
The proposal has been referred to the Cabinet and the Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE), under which Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve operates.
However, Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said the aim of the proposal was to incorporate additional features to attract tourists.
“Al Areen has potential to become much better as what is being showcased at the moment is not of high standards,” he said.
“The park has the same attractions for the last 44 years whether in terms of birds, plants and animals – there is nothing new and nothing has improved.
“The virtual tour on the website or the children’s corner that were introduced a few years ago can’t really be considered as progress because the actual park is still offering attractions and services of low standards.”
Visitors
According to latest statistics on the park’s official website there were around 142,000 visitors in 2010.
However, Mr Al Tamimi questioned the figures for the last 10 years – adding that the park has been neglected for the last decade.
“The number of visitors was 142,000 a decade ago, but what about the following 10 years? Where are these statistics?” he asked.
However, the GDN reported in January 2018 that 323,286 people visited the park in 2017.
Mr Al Tamimi said the proposal features the introduction of sections for animals and plants from around the world, in addition to a section for productive families.
“The facility could also have camping sites so visitors can stay and enjoy the wildlife there – this could be offered through investors,” he explained.
“The plan could be drawn up now and when things improve following humanity’s win over Covid-19, it could be carried out as tourists and locals return back to normal.”
He added that the council has suggested a myriad of ideas for the facility but they would depend on the availability of government financing and approval of the SCE.
Officials from the SCE were unavailable for comment when contacted by the GDN.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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