A BD10 million ($26.52 million) park and nature haven was officially opened to the public yesterday in Bahrain.

Arad Bay Natural Sanctuary and Park was opened by Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife president and Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Costs for the project more than doubled from when it was first approved, with an initial budget of BD5.5 million in January 2006.

His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa intervened in 2003 to ensure that the area was protected from development and later ensured the budget was available to allow the scheme to go ahead.

"This is a vital project not just for Muharraq but to the whole of Bahrain," said Shaikh Abdulla. "The support we received from HRH the Prime Minister has certainly helped speed up the project, ensuring it came out in the way people are seeing it in now.

"The commission is working hard to revive a number of natural havens around the country and it has prepared a strategy in which environmental-family tourism comes first.

"At the moment, our future plans include turning Ras Sanad and Tubli Bay into something similar like this seen in Muharraq and making them proper parks and sanctuaries for people to enjoy."

The aim of the project is to turn the bay into a natural theme park for marine plants, fish, prawns and resident migratory birds.

The new park includes Bahrain's biggest walkway at 3km, pathways and gardens, in addition to children's games, medical facilities and shops. - TradeArabia News Service