The environmenT maTTers

Hadag talks to His Excellency

Dr. Mohamed Mubarak Bin Daina, Chief Executive of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), to learn more about the important role of the SCE in protecting the natural and human environments in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

What is the SCE’s duty and legal mandate?

The SCE role is to “ To protect the environment and conserve its natural resources and develop and sustain it for future generations”. The legal mandate according to the Environmental law states the development of plans and policies to avoid harmful effects of activities that leads to damaging human health, agricultural crops, marine wildlife, and other natural resources and climate, and the implementation of these plans and policies, taking all appropriate actions and measures to stop the deterioration of the environment, and prevent environmental pollution and reduce it in all its forms, for the benefit of present and future generations through the achievement of sustainable development goals (Legislative Decree no. 21, 1996, Article #1).

What does the SCE do in issues related to marine protection?

The SCE regularly monitors water quality in the waters surrounding the Kingdom of Bahrain and takes necessary actions if the quality does not meet the national standards. The SCE is responsible for two marine protected areas in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Hawar Islands and Ras Sanad in Tubli Bay, which are listed as Ramsar Sites (totaling 5,200 and 1,610 hectares respectively) since 1997 under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation.

Tell us more about the work at Hawar and Tubli Bay…

Hawar is part of an arid archipelago of islands with marked diversity in marine habitats with mud flats, sandy beaches, rocky marshes and salt marshes. The islands are characterised by colonies of breeding seabirds of regional and global importance such as the Socotra Comorant. Sea grass beds surrounding the islands provide important feeding grounds for dugongs and sea turtles, and serve as a pasture for shrimp and finfish. Tubli Bay features quiet ocean currents and low water salinity with a number of notable coastal and marine diversity habitats. Of the 80+ species of mangroves found around the world, the Kingdom of Bahrain is exclusively home to one, the Black Mangrove Avicennia marina. The largest mangrove forest in Bahrain is found in Ras Sanad Nature Reserve within Tubli Bay, and has long been revered by the public as a site of environmental sensitivity and importance.

Tubli Bay is also important nursery ground for Shrimp. Thousands of water birds utilise the abundant food resources available in the bay. Over 45 species of birds, mainly herons, shorebirds, gulls and terns, regularly visit the area during the migration periods and in winter. The Supreme Council for Environment has launched an ongoing mangrove plantation programme with the aim to cultivate and plant mangrove seedlings across Tubli Bay and Dohat Arad.

Share with us some of your hobbies

I’ve got many hobbies but because of work I’ve given up some of them. I love the sea and I love fishing. I don’t dive and I love horse riding. But, most of all, I love to read; because I can do it whenever I want to and wherever I want to, for example, even by the beach.

What are some of your favourite places to visit for waterfront relaxation?

In Bahrain, Jarada Island is a cool place for boating trips and to admire the sand and surrounding water. I feel like it’s a piece of heaven in Bahrain. People go there to have a great time, they stop and swim, grill food and just enjoy life. Outside of Bahrain, I love Monaco. It’s a place I have visit frequently. In the GCC, Dubai is fabulous because it has everything from relaxation to good shopping.

Tell us some of the environmental factors that make Bahrain special?

In Bahrain there’s a lot that makes the island’s environment special, even in relation to the world. We have the highest numbered colony for the Loha birds, with up to 250,000 of them. We’re working closely with Saudi Arabia and Qatar on a conservation project to save the dugongs (marine mammals). Also, we have a big project supported by the Crown Prince, where we will organise special diving trips for people to go and find oysters and revive the tradition of pearl diving.

Do you have a message for the young generation in Bahrain about the environment?

Today, the new generation is aware and well educated and aware of the environmental challenges. We expect the young generation to look after their surroundings and help to keep the country clean. In fact, we had some very good young people come out and take part in volunteer projects to clean up the smaller Bahrain islands – we get up to 50 volunteers at a time. We have to continue with this and I hope in the future, more people will join us in these efforts.

صئاصخلا نم ريثكلا كلانه ههوللا رويطل ةرمعتسم ربكأ انيدل .ةزيمم ةكلمملا يف عم قيثو لكشب اًيلاح لمعن اننأ امك ،اًريط 250, يلاوح دوجوب كرتشم عورشم ىلع رطق ةلودو ةيدوعسلا ةيبرعلا ةكلمملا ديق ريبك عورشم اًضيأ كانهو ،ضارقنلإا