Protected Areas

Overview: Al-Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve is the only terrestrial protected area in Bahrain. Al-Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve aims to promote scientific research, ecotourism, and public awareness in addition to conservation of biodiversity through captive breeding programmes in Bahrain.

Date of Establishment: Al Areen was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976 and officially opened its doors to the public in 1979 (GDN, 2009)

National Law: Decree No. (28) of 2000 regarding incorporating Al-Areen Wildlife Reserve into the National Authority for the Protection of Wildlife

Location: It is situated adjacent to the central western coastline of the main island.

Area Size: Total area of about 8 km2 that consists of botanical and zoological areas in addition to a fenced reserve whereby from this total area, 5.4 km2 is dedicated towards the protected reserve and 2.6 km2 is dedicated towards educating the public and does not fall under the designation of the reserve.

Facilities: The park is built to modern standards allowing most animals to live in open semi-natural habitats with a minimum of enclosure. The protected reserve harbours representatives of indigenous plants and animals in addition to exotic faunal species from Africa and west and south Asia. The park offers modern facilities that supports:

1. The falconry sport and the associated natural heritage in Bahrain (Bahrain’s First National Report to the CBD, 2006).
2. Batelco Wild Animals Complex (Batelco Wild Animals Complex.pdf) which hosts a variety of carnivore species that are unable to return to their natural habitat.
3. The Bahrain-Japan Friendship Garden (Kayushiki Teien) which was funded and supported by GPIC and National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD). The aim of the garden is to reflect the cooperation between the two countries in the environmental field.
4. The Water Bird Park covers an area of 70,000 m2 and consists of three (3) lakes in addition to a swamp for small frogs and Bahraini turtles.
5. The Desert Flora Garden hosts 25 native species of plants some of which are used in Bahraini traditional medicine. The garden is open to scientists and researchers looking to study the plants.
6. It runs a number of captive breeding programs, which has resulted in the reintroduction of species such as the Arabian sand gazelle also known as the Reem gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica) and the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) into open protected areas such as Hawar Islands. Moreover, the Wildlife Park and Reserve also runs a captive breeding program for the critically endangered Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), which is native to the Arabian Peninsula. 

Overview: Tubli Bay is a marine protected area in Bahrain due to its ecological significance which stems from the presence of the largest and last standing natural aggregation of mangroves in the Kingdom from which all the seeds are taken for conservation efforts to restore mangroves around Bahrain. In addition, it is considered as a wetland area which is of great importance to many migratory and resident bird species.

Date of Establishment: It was declared as a protected area in 1995 

National Law: Law No. (53) of 2006 regarding establishing Tubli Bay as a Protected Nature Area 

International Designation: It was designated as a RAMSAR site in 1997 (Ramsar, 2022)

Location: Tubli Bay is located in the north-east of Bahrain, south of the capital city Manama.

Area Size: Historically, the total area of Tubli Bay was recorded to be 23.4 km2 in 1956 which was then reduced to ~16.1 km2 in 1996 due to unsustainable reclamation operations (Aljenaid et al., 2022) (Aljenaid et al., 2022.pdf). The bay is recorded to currently cover an area of 15.9 km2. Similarly, the mangrove area in Tubli Bay is said to have declined from 328 ha in 1967 to 48 ha in 2020 (Aljenaid et al., 2022).

Most of the reclaimed land has been allocated to the construction of causeways and highways and the erection of houses. In 2006, a royal decree was issued to ban reclamation works in Tubli Bay in an attempt to promote the protection of the coastline from coastal development. However, the ban was lifted following the issuance of the Ministerial Decree No. (70) of 2011, thus, subjecting the bay to further adverse anthropogenic impacts combining reclamation, sewage outfalls, silt discharges from sand-washing plants, low tidal flow velocities and reduced flushing of the bay caused by the Sitra Causeway and Ma’ameer Channel all of which contribute to the heightened ecosystem collapse and rapidly shrinking of the bay size.

Significance:

Tubli Bay is an important wetland area that combines a variety of marine biotopes such as mangrove swamps, extensive mudflats and rocky shores. Ras Sanad Mangroves, which is an area located within the boundaries of Tubli Bay harbours the largest natural aggregation of natural mangroves which has been designated as a nature reserve in 1988. Bahrain hosts only one mangrove species which is commonly known as the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina).

This combined with Tubli Bay’s productive mudflats; the area serves as an important feeding and breeding ground for migratory and resident birds. 

The bay was also once known to be a nursery ground of exceptional significance for commercial shrimps and harbours a variety of intertidal and subtidal marine biota. 

Furthermore, the area is utilised by thousands of waterbirds due to the abundant food resources available in Tubli bay hosting over 45 species of birds, mainly herons, shorebirds, gulls and terns, who regularly visit the bay during the migration periods and in winter (Mohamed, S.A. ,1994).

Peak counts have included 100 Egretta garzetta, 250 Ardea cinerea, 300 Charadrius hiaticula, 500 C. alexandrinus, 2,000 C. mongolus, 500 Pluvialis squatarola, 250 Arenaria interpres, 1,000 Calidris minuta, 800 Limicola falcinellus, 150 Larus ichthyaetus, 2,000 L. ridibundus and 3,000 L. genei. M Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus breed in the mangroves (Mohamed, S.A., 1999). 

The site’s importance in terms of natural heritage for the people of Bahrain can be traced back to the Tylos era where records explained that historically mangroves covered most of the coastal areas of the island (Salles, J.F., 2002). 

Unfortunately, due to poor management, the once known as a site of significant and unique ecological characteristics, today stands to be the biggest environmental and ecological disasters witnessed in Bahrain and the Gulf region.

Overview: Hawar Islands is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands that enjoy the highest level of ecosystem integrity in comparison to the rest of the protected areas in Bahrain with extensive desert, mudflats and seagrass beds serving as valuable feeding and breeding grounds for a wide range of terrestrial and marine species.

Hawar Islands are of significant international and regional importance due to many unique ecological arrays. Most notably are the dugong herds inhabiting the shallow waters around these islands. In April 2022, the dugong population around Hawar Islands was declared as the largest aggregation of dugongs in the world. 

Date of Establishment: Hawar Islands were declared as a protected area in 1996

National Law: Decision No. (16) of 1996 regarding the designation of the Hawar Islands and the Surrounding Territorial Sea as Protected Areas in Accordance with the Provisions of Decree-Law No. (2) of 1995 on the Protection of Wildlife.

International Designation:
It was designated as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) in 1994 before it was  designated as a RAMSAR site in 1997. Hence, the KBA online factsheet does not reflect Hawar’s RAMSAR and protected status. 

Location: Hawar Islands are located in the South-East of Bahrain’s main island.

Area Size: Hawar Islands is currently the largest protected area in Bahrain with land covering roughly a total of 51.4 km2 (Bahrain’s Fourth National Report, 2011)

Significance:

In addition, to hosting the largest aggregation of dugongs in the world, Hawar islands are an Important Bird Area regionally as they host the largest aggregation of the Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) colonies (Muzaffer et al., 2017.pdf). Furthermore, the breeding areas of the western reef heron (Egretta gularis) are said to be the most numerous in the Middle East (Bahrain’s First National Report, 2006). Moreover, the islands are important nesting areas for the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and the Sooty falcon (Falco concolor). 

BBC Planet Earth | Bahrain’s Desert Birds | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yKxUNP_XVo 

The diversity and abundance in benthic invertebrates and fish assemblages provide valuable food sources for the thousands of birds wintering or/and breeding annually on these offshore islands. Moreover, Hawar Islands have now become home to small populations of sand gazelles and the Arabian Oryx who have been reintroduced into the wild following the successful captive breeding programs undertaken by Al-Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve.

It is important to note that all of the islands that make up Hawar Islands and their associated territorial waters are under full protection with both hunting and fishing prohibited with some exceptions whereby fishing using traditional methods is permitted to encourage the protection of these sustainable methods. Apart from a small-constrained resort area, public access to the majority of Hawar Islands is restricted and continuously monitored by the Coast Guards.  As a result of these strict restrictions, Hawar Islands today still largely remain in pristine condition.

Overview: 

Mashtan Island is a small offshore island that is reported to be dominated by sandy beaches and is surrounded by extensive seagrass beds and reefs. 

Date of Establishment: Mashtan Island was declared as a Protected Area in 2002.

National Law: Decision (1) of 2002 regarding designating Mashtan Island as a Protected Area

Location: Mashtan Island is located in the South-East, approximately 2.5 km2 away from Bahrain’s main island.

Area Size: Mashtan Island covers an area of 0.021 km2 

Significance:

Mashtan Island is said to harbor a number of rare species of crustaceans such as the ghost crab (Ocypode saratan) (Bahrain’s Fourth National Report, 2011). In addition, the surrounding sea grass beds are known to be an important forging area for dugongs, sea turtles in addition to a protective nursery grounds for shrimps and finned fish. Moreover, the area is well known to be an Important Bird Area and hence was declared as a Protected Area. Currently there is no evidence or information in regards to on ground management and protection of the area. Lastly, since the island is located in the South – Eastern part of Bahrain, closer to Hawar Islands, it could form an edge to the Mashtan, Jabbarri, Tighaylib, to Hawar triangle, which is considered to be a high biodiversity area (Bahrain’s First National Report to the CBD, 2006).

Overview: 

Dohat Arad also known as Arad Bay is a man-made sheltered bay that is dominated by mudflat habitats, which serve as an important ecological, resting and feeding area for many resident and migratory shore birds.

Date of Establishment: Dohat Arad was declared as a Marine Protected Area in 2003.

National Law: Decision No. (4) of 2003 regarding designating Arad Bay as a Marine Protected Reserve

Location: Dohat Arad is located within the Muharraq Governorate on the east side of Bahrain’s main island.

Area Size: Dohat Arad covers an area of 0.441 km2 

Significance:

In addition to being a protected nursery for many types of marine organisms such as crustaceans and juvenile fish, it has become a primary and successful transplanting location for mangroves.

Overview: 

The Kingdom of Bahrain was awarded its second UNESCO World Heritage Site title, known as “Pearling, testimony of an island economy” which was inscribed on 30 June 2012. The site is said to be the last remaining complete example of cultural tradition and wealth generated by pearling when trade dominated the Gulf economy. Hence, highlighting an outstanding example of traditional utilisation of the sea’s resources and human interaction with the environment, which shaped both the economy and cultural identity of the island’s society (UNESCO, 2014). The UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of a terrestrial and marine component. The marine site includes three offshore oyster beds namely: Najwat and Hayr Bul Thamah, Hayr Shtayyah and Hayr Bu Am’amah accompanying a Buffer zone and a coral reef referred to as Reef Bul Thamah.

Reef Bul Thamah is a natural coral reef which is part of the Najwat Bul Thamah area. In local terminology both Najwat and Hayr refer to oyster beds. The coral reef in the Bul Thamah area is said to be in good condition due to its remote location and distance from the mainland.

Hayr refers to an oyster bed that exists in waters that is deeper than 10 m and has a flat surface whereas Najwat refers to an oyster bed that is in waters that is shallower than 10 m and is located at the top of a seamount. 

Date of Establishment: Reef Bul Thamah was declared as a Marine Protected Area in 2007.

National Law: 

• Decision No. (9) of 2007 superseded by Decision No. (8) of 2007 regarding designating Hayr Bulthamah as a Marine Protected Area and further superseded by Decision No. (2) of 2017 regarding designating Najwat Bulthama as a Marine Protected Area
• Decision No. (3) of 2017 | Designating Hayr Bulthama, Hayr Shttayah, and Hayr Bu Amamah as Marine Protected Areas

Location: 

• Hayr Shtayyah is located approximately 30 km from Bahrain’s mainland
• Hayr Bu Amamah is located approximately 57 km from Bahrain’s mainland
• Hayr Bul Thamah is located approximately 58 km from Bahrain’s mainland
• Reef Bul Thamah is located approximately 90 km from Bahrain’s mainland

Area Size (Source – Decision No. (3) of 2017): 

• Hayr Shtayyah is said to be the largest oyster bed in the Arabian Gulf and covers an area of 274.2 km2 (UNESCO, 2014).
• Hayr Amamah cover an area of 48.6 km2
• Hayr Bul Thamah cover an area of 58.7 km2
• Najwat Bul Thamah covers an area of 3.2 km2
• Reef Bul Thamah covers an area of 7.8 km2
• Buffer Zone covers an area of 965.7 km2

Significance:

Bahrain is the only country in the world that has banned the culturing of pearls. Therefore, given the extent of the area, the northern Hayrat has been a popular and traditional pearling site that is relied upon by the local pearling communities with a promising record of pearl yields. In addition, Reef Bul Thamah harbours the highest diversity of corals and reef fish in addition to many other species in comparison to other Bahraini reef sites.  Unsurprisingly, it is considered to be the best diving spot for seeing coral and reef fish by recreational divers. Furthermore, the reef serves as a visiting spot for whale sharks during their migration period which is documented to be between April – July.