HUNDREDS of farmyard animals housed in 30 barns near Bahrain International Airport must be relocated within the next 12 months, the government has warned.
Foul smell, noise complaints and the airport’s expansion plans have all been cited as reasons to move the barns, which are located between Galali and Samaheej.
Owners of the barns were initially given until the end of this month to move or else have their power and water cut off by the Housing Ministry, but this deadline was extended at the request of Muharraq Municipal Council.
Councillors, along with ministry officials and representatives from Muharraq Police Station, met the farmers to discuss possible solutions to the issue.
‘The area is a matter of great controversy because it is located between Galali, Samaheej and the airport and all three want the barns gone as soon as possible,’ said council chairman Mohammed Al Sinan.
‘Residents are complaining about the foul smell and the airport needs the land for its future expansion plans.
‘The Housing Ministry pays for the water and power they use and has given them a one-year period until it cuts them off, but they don’t have anywhere to go.’
The barns were previously in Arad, but were forced to relocate last year to make way for a new 350-unit housing project.
His Majesty King Hamad had allocated land near the Dry Dock Detention Centre in Hidd, but Mr Al Sinan said this was still awaiting reclamation at a cost of more than BD4 million.
‘The land allocated by His Majesty is under 14 metres of water and needs to be reclaimed,’ he said.
‘We are optimistic but so far we need some time to find another place for the barns.’
Mr Al Sinan said that a new location, when found, could be used by all Muharraq barn owners.
‘There are many barns located just next to houses in Muharraq because they don’t have another place to go,’ he said.
‘We were not even able to find them a place in the land between Galali and Samaheej.
‘In fact farmers build on other lands surrounding their barns because they don’t have enough space.’
Present at the meeting was also the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals chairman Mahmood Faraj, who highlighted the importance of maintaining animals’ health and the issue of stray dogs.
shahlaa@gdn.com.bh