Bahrain launches GO GREEN drive

An initiative to safeguard Bahrain's environment from harmful and unnecessary reclamation has been launched in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

New guidelines by the works ministry will ensure that all projects involving reclamation and dredging fulfil specific requirements and criteria.

They not only cover private developers, but also projects carried out by ministries and government organisations, said Works Minister Fahmi Al Jowder.

"Everyone will have to follow the new guidelines whether it is private consultation companies or construction firms, or those working in my ministry and the municipalities and agriculture affairs ministry," he said.

The minister was speaking at the launch of new guidelines featured in a dredging and land reclamation technical manual, at the Sheraton Hotel.

Reclamation
The overall aim of introducing the guidelines is to secure environmental and economic benefits by detailing specific processes, procedures and guidelines for dredging, land reclamation and other associated activities in the country, said ministry Under-Secretary Nayef Al Kalali.

"Bahrain is in the dawn of a new era in urban development. In only 26 years, the country's surface area has grown by more than 11 per cent.

"The ministry has a key role in contributing to ongoing progress while at the same time caring for and striving to protect the environment.

"The guidelines and manual are part of a comprehensive undertaking, where existing reclamation levels within the country have been investigated and redefined.

"They will contribute towards achieving environmental benefits as well as cost savings for contractors by eradicating unnecessary over reclamation."

The guideline, entitled Reclamation Levels: Guidelines for Coastal Development Lands and Artificial Islands is based on a study conducted by Dutch consultant Delft Hydraulics.

"It also focuses on the impact of tides, storm surges, barometric pressure, wind and wave set up and run up, meteorological oscillation and climate change," Mr Al Kalali said.

"The outcome of the study has also provided clearance levels for the expected rise in seawater due to global warming, which is set at 0.4 metres in 100 years and an additional safety clearance of 0.1 metre has also been included."

He said that the manual was a comprehensive reference, providing background information on key aspects of dredging and land reclamation projects from conception to completion.

Others involved in coming up with the guidelines were Delft Hydraulics, Anthony Bates Partnership Dredging and Coastal Consultants and Dredging Research Limited.

The team reviewed an earlier land reclamation guideline prepared by French consultants Sogreah Consultants in 2001.

The review and update followed numerous investigations, statistical analyses, mathematical modelling and indicative wave crest level calculations, which were conducted at five reclamation sites around the country, said Al Kalali.

"The amount of reclamation work and design parameters were then updated and imported into a Geographical Information System (GIS) and a resulting recommended reclamation level map of the country was produced," he said.

Dredging
"The process of dredging and land reclamation encompasses many different disciplines and personnel who are charged with handling such developments need to have access to relevant and up-to-date literature.

He said that in 1981 the surface area of Bahrain was 665.3sq km. "By the end of last year, it was recorded at 741.40sq km. This is an increase of 76.1sq km in 26 years."

"This 11.4 per cent expansion is due to sea reclamation, mainly for housing and industrial developments."

Al Kalali said that the number of islands that make up Bahrain's archipelago as of the end of last year were 196 islands - 133 natural and 63 artificial.

"Bahrain still experiences a shortage of land for future housing, industrial and infrastructure development," he said.

"Setting up guidelines for dredging and reclamation works is part of an integrated approach to prevent degradation of marine resources."


Source : http://www.tradearabia.com/

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Reaching Bahrain Kitchen Gardens

FAMILIES in Bahrain are being offered help to grow their own vegetables, to ensure a healthy diet and cut shopping bills.

The campaign is being waged by the Agriculture Affairs office in Budaiya, which operates under the wing of the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry.

It is even sending experts to people's homes, to show them how to create vegetable patches and to reap their benefit.

"We are guiding people and even sending consultants to help them and teach them what to plant and how," said media and consultancy services head Mohammed Al Hindi.

He said the benefits were huge both in terms of cost and health, since people who grow their own food know exactly what has gone into it and that it is genuinely organic.

"When you plant your own vegetables you know what kind of fertilisers you used. When you buy you are not sure if it's 100 per cent organic and that no insecticides have been used," said Mr Al Hindi.

He said each resident who has space should use it to grow plants, since it will help feed the family and also "green up" the environment.

"You can teach your children how to grow plants and take care of them. It is a good lesson for them, as well as providing them with a hobby," said Mr Al Hindi.

Families who grow their own can produce enough vegetables in each season for consumption for at least three months to come, he said.

"For example, it takes three and a half months to produce tomatoes, but the produce is enough for two to three months of consumption, meaning each day you pick your meals' needs of tomatoes fresh," said Mr Al Hindi.

Bahraini farms cover only 25 per cent of the market's need, while the rest is imported, he said.

"If people took it upon themselves to plant their own vegetables, they would become more self-sufficient and not depend on the market for their food supply," said Mr Al Hindi.

Vegetables such as lettuce and tomatoes, leaf plants like coriander and other produce such as cucumber and cabbage grow well in Bahrain.

Fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, papaya, mango, lemon, oranges and dates can also be grown, depending on the season.

All it takes is an effort to create the right conditions, plus fertiliser and seeds, at minimal cost, says Mr Al Hindi.

"It depends on the vegetable or fruit you're trying to plant and the area you've got and if the soil is fit to plant, or needs fertilisers, but usually it won't cost more than BD20 (to set up)," he added.

"If you live in a flat, you can use the balcony and plant vegetables that don't need much space, or even flowers to make the area look and smell amazing," said Mr Al Hindi.

The GDN conducted a comparison between the cost of growing vegetables at home and buying them from the supermarkets.

For tomatoes, a 10 sqm area planted with 24 seedlings can cost around BD11.5 for seeds, watering and fertilisers.

In the market (the GDN spoke to Lulu Hypermarket) 1kg of tomatoes (a box) costs 665 fils.

"When you plant, you have to remember that you are not planting a carton of tomatoes, you are planting a two or three months' supply of them instead, a real money saver," said Mr Al Hindi.

For lettuce, the same area will cost around BD10 for seeds watering and fertilisers.

In the market 1kg of lettuce costs 545 fils.

The Agriculture Affairs office also gives guidance and support to Bahrain's farms and provides them with subsidised equipment and supplies.

"We give a 40pc discount on watering systems for farmers, as well as a 40pc discount on the plastic covers for green houses," said Mr Al Hindi.

He said there was a proposal to establish a farmers' insurance fund, to ensure a regular income when things go bad.

"Farmers face problems when rain falls heavily on their farms and destroys the harvest, or if there are strong winds, so the idea is to support them when crises happen," said Mr Al Hindi.

There are around 1,000 farms in Bahrain which grow palm trees, vegetables and some fruits, as well as flowers.

They vary from Bahrainis owning them and taking care of them to Bahrainis owning and managing them with labourers doing the farming.

Others may own the farm, but leave it to others to manage and work, while taking an agreed profit.

The Agriculture Affairs office tries to implement new methods in planting, by experimenting at its own site.

"If the method is successful, we teach it to farmers and show them how to go about it, so as not to lose money," said Mr Al Hindi.

The latest method is hydroponics, which involves growing plants without soil.

The GDN reported earlier that Bahrain-based expert Dr Ashraf Omran was urging people to plant vegetables at their home using hydroponics, since it is cheap and requires little space.

Imports

He also wants villagers to be taught how to farm using the system, to serve the local market and reduce the need for imports.

Dr Omran is holding workshops for interested individuals at the Bahrain Garden Club.

For more information about the workshops call the Bahrain Garden Club on 17727625. For more information or for consultancy services from the Agriculture Affairs office call 1796666.

Courtesy http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/

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Student learns Green Lesson

Schools across Bahrain are joining the battle against global warming, in a campaign to cut their own carbon footprints.

They are taking part in a project to calculate how much carbon dioxide they emit - to cut it down.

The more CO2 emissions are produced the greater the school's contribution to global warming.

The project is a joint initiative of the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, the Education Ministry and The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Programme (GLOBE).

GLOBE is a worldwide primary and secondary school-based science and education programme.

It supports students, teachers and scientists in collaborating on investigations into the environment and how to protect it.

It works in partnership with the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Science Foundation Earth System Science Projects, in research on the dynamics of the environment.

"Greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change and we are introducing these concepts to them (students)," commission senior environment specialist Luma Al Mahroos told the GDN.

students must know the source of greenhouse gases in their schools and find ways to reduce it, such as by saving electricity.

"We have just started the programme and selected a footprint calculator software programme. We hope to finish it by June.

"We have selected 28 schools registered with the GLOBE programme."

Ms Al Mahroos said climate change was an international issue and being taken seriously in Bahrain through various activities, including awareness campaigns as part of the country's commitment to the UN Climate Change Convention.

"We want them (the young) to know that even simple activities such as using electrical equipment and having the TV or computer on, have an impact on the environment and they need to change their routine a little," she said.

For example, if they use energy saving light bulbs they will reduce power consumption and save money on their bill.

We are focusing on youngsters in schools, we want them to have their own projects.

Ms Al Mahroos said awareness programmes were vital because they helped educate the community on climate change and the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment.

The commission is also introducing the subject of climate change in public and private schools through its Environment Friendly Schools programme.

Twenty-three schools are taking part in this year's programme, which was introduced to teachers and students at a workshop at the Bahrain Medical Society in Juffair.

Commission public relations and environment media directorate director Zakariya Khunji said the Environment Friendly Schools project began in 2004 and each year a different theme was selected.

He said the aim was to encourage schools to conduct activities such as producing posters and articles and holding exhibitions under the chosen environment theme.

At the workshop we teach them what the theme is for the year, what activities they can take and we go to schools and help them with their activities and bring them to our nursery.

We chose climate change this year because it's the biggest issue everywhere. The youngsters must know about it because Bahrain and other GCC countries will be affected.

We have seen the problems with the hurricane in Oman and we were affected. In some areas the sea came in land by two metres.

So we must think very carefully, we must know what our individual role is.

We are targeting youngsters because they think ahead and will be affected in the future. They can help us protect our environment.


Courtesy http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/

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