AL-BAHA – The residents of Al-Baha province have called upon the minister of environment, water and agriculture to take swift action to complete faltering infrastructure projects in the region. A number of the residents, who spoke to Al-Watan daily, said the region suffered from sewer overflows. They said there was only one water treatment plant in the Baha governornate while some neighboring governorates did not have any such plants. The residents of Aqeeq governorate continue to suffer from frequent disruptions in water supply, they said. The main dump, located in the eastern part of the governorate, has negatively affected the environment as it emits poisonous smokes to nearby villages. Any visitor to one of the villages could see plastic cans and materials all over the mountains and on top of trees. Also, the wildlife has been negatively impacted by the dumpsite. The residents called upon the authorities to protect the wildlife and the valleys, which are replete with honey trees. The area should be reforested and the ecological system should be preserved so that beekeepers can produce more honey to keep their business thriving and generate sustainable income. There are no wildlife reserves in the region and the dams are not properly utilized for irrigation, they said.
