THERE has been a 40 per cent increase in waste and debris dumped by campers in Sakhir this year, it has been revealed.
Tonnes of waste – including abandoned furniture, building material and other items – left behind by campers was cleared by the Southern Municipality in co-operation with Urbaser Bahrain cleaning company.
The total waste cleared from the Sakhir camping site amounted to 7,619 tonnes, according to a statement issued yesterday.
The clean-up operation featured cleaners, light and heavy weight equipment and trucks.
The 2024-2025 camping season in Bahrain started on November 20 last year and ended on February 20 this year.
Despite being close to three months since the season ended, cleaners are still busy trying to clear out the tonnes of debris and waste spread across the camping site that was left behind by lazy campers.
Over the years, the camping season generally sees thousands of people flocking to the site in the south of Bahrain – stretching from Awali to Sakhir – to enjoy the cooler weather, in their own or rented tents.
“The daily amount of waste removed from the site reached 3,400 tonnes, equivalent to 680 shipments, while items such as abandoned furniture, tents and building materials amounted to about 4,219 tonnes, equivalent to 874 shipments,” said the Southern Municipality statement.
“This makes the total of amount of waste removed from the site to reach 7,619 tonnes.”
Cleaners were dispatched to the site on a daily basis to clear the camping sites, which officials fear could become an environmental hazard.
“Clean-up operations are still ongoing in Sakhir, and campaigns will be intensified by next month to remove the remaining amount of waste estimated at 2,300 tonnes to be cleared out soon.”
The GDN has previously reported that old furniture, wooden cupboards, plastic chairs, carpets and erect tents were dumped in the desert at end of a camping season.
“The total amount of waste once removed is expected to reach 10,000 tonnes – a 40pc increase compared to the debris cleared out by cleaners during the last camping season,” said yesterday’s statement.
“Cleaning campaigns will cover areas that witnessed an influx of campers including recreational sites to ensure all waste is collected and disposed in a proper manner to preserve the natural environment.
“These campaigns are part of the Southern Municipality’s strategic plans aimed at preserving the wildlife and strengthen community partnerships with a number of civil society organisations as essential partners in maintaining public cleanliness in desert areas.”
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