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www.bahraintribune.com A campaign launched by the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife is paying dividends, the commission’s Director-General, Dr Ismail Mohammed Al Madani, said.
“The idea is to educate the public so that the community begins to realise the importance of natural resources and learns to protect them,” Dr Al Madani said, at the inauguration of a new water park featuring 60 Arab exotic birds and local endangered amphibians, in Sakhir.
He said special signboards put up all over Bahrain showing the ‘way’, literally, to the park, had been very helpful.
“The area is fast developing as a perfect tourism destination for residents and visitors from abroad.”
According to Dr Al Madani, the commission has managed to reverse the decline in the numbers of the Bahraini terrapin which had been suffering from the loss of habitat and invasion of its shrinking territory.
He said a call for more private investment in and around Al Areen Wildlife Park is evident. “The infrastructure development within and around the park is tremendous and continuing.” This process has been beneficial to investors as well as visitors to the park.
Dr Al Madani said Bahrain’s tourism was focused on the hotel industry and other tourism spots had taken a back seat. “The park is the single place that preserves the natural heritage and not much had been done to promote it as a tourist site. This is now changing for the better.
An auditorium, a cafeteria and a gift shop have been added. Trees have been planted, and shaded parking lots for visitors and employees provided.” Dr Al Madani said signboards had been erected all over, which point out directions. Dr Al Madani said many people thought that Al Areen was a zoo, and they looked at seeing new animals every time they visited.
“This is not correct. They fail to get the concept of a wildlife park which is the conservation of rare Arabian fauna.”
The 70,000 square meters park, set up at a cost of BD20,000, comprises three lakes, featuring three waterfalls and two river channels.
“This is now the new home of a variety of imported exotic birds, including Egyptian ducks, mute swans, lesser flamingos, mallard ducks, kestrels, hoopoes and bee-eaters.” He said the new park was constructed in two phases due to funding issues.
“Work was completed about four months ago, but the birds and amphibians were placed once the vegetation grew sufficiently to offer enough food,” he said. Al Areen’s bird department head Isa Faraj said it was a pity that development work and debris from construction projects were destroying the natural habitat of local amphibians.
“Excessive extraction of groundwater has been also drying up fresh water springs.” He said the number of marsh frogs and terrapins was dropping due to development work and the loss of their natural environment. “The loss of their natural habitat leaves no other conditions for them to keep breeding.” | 
