Bahrian has banned the import and planting of what has been described as “horror trees” that continue to damage public infrastructure.
A plan will also be drawn up to remove existing Damas trees, which can grow up to 18 metres tall, from public facilities, parks and gardens as well as roads.
The trees have caused widespread damage to underground pipe networks, drainage systems and walls, in addition to attracting insect infestations, but have been popular in Bahrain due to its high tolerance to heat.
In November, Northern Municipality director general Lamya Al Fadhala proposed a ban on the import of the invasive trees, which has been drafted as an official proposal by the Northern Municipal Council and sent to Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf.
The minister informed the council in a written response that the ministry has approved the ban – adding that they were working on achieving sustainable development strategies in the agriculture sector as well as increasing green spaces in the kingdom.
“A ministerial decision was issued to ban the sale, planting and import of the Damas or Conocarpus trees and it will be circulated to all the relevant authorities,” said Mr Khalaf in writing.
“A plan will also be researched and implemented to remove these trees from public facilities, parks and gardens as well as roads.
“We have taken certain steps in regards to banning the import and growth of the Conocarpus trees in the Northern Governorate and they include collaborating with the department of Agricultural Guidance to issue pamphlets highlighting the dangers of planting these trees.
“We are also working with the Joint Municipal Services Agency and the Northern Municipality public parks and gardening department to activate the plan to grow replacement trees in their place.”
The GDN previously reported that Ms Al Fadhala proposed the ban during a meeting with the council, where she said the ‘invasive trees’, which are native to coastal areas of Somalia, Djibouti and Yemen, grow to be so large they lean against walls threatening the security of the property and requiring the intervention of Civil Defence.
During the meeting she also faced criticism from councillors about alleged delays in removing trees that threaten private properties.
She hit back by saying the municipality was not responsible for trees located on private land, but was providing the service regardless – while adding that a budget of BD107,000 was set aside to maintain trees over a four-year period in the governorate with priority given to those on public property.
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