Page 38 - Life & Land Use on the Bahrain Islands (Curtis E Larsen)

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at al-Khobar. While this can be expected to facilitate the more rapid entry of
imports into the islands, it also sets a direct route to Manama across the
best-watered and most productive agricultural land on the island. These are but a
few of the most obvious sociocultural changes placing stress on the available land.
Ongoing natural environmental changes affect land use as well. TTie
depletion of the petroleum has already been considered; however, this is a clear
function of human extraction of a natural resource. TTie critical factor for Bahrain
is fresh water. It is important to underline a fact discussed by two independent
consulting studies (Wright 1967, Italconsult 1971). Examination of the record of well
and spring levels for the past 40 years shows a steady decrease in hydrostatic water
level. With this continued trend, Bahrain will run out of fresh water shortly after
the turn of the century. Figure 3 shows this general projection quite clearly for
the eastern and northwestern portions of Bahrain, as well as for the Saudi Arabian
coast near Qatif. Thus far, the physical restraints on the Bahraini population have
been viewed as constants. Artesian water has been presented as a major factor in
the location of settlements and agricultural activities. However, the projected
water loss must naturally lead to the progressive contraction of the water favored
northwestern portion of Bahrain. Figure 3 predicts that the eastern coast of the
main island will experience the earliest difficulty while the northwest coast may be
the last to be affected. Given this scenario both areas will be faced with water
loss within the same decade.
Bahrain's position can now be seen more clearly, The islands are
confronted with a rapidly expanding population at the same time the most critical
restraint to any biological community is being applied. When one notes that
traditional patterns of settlement adhere almost exclusively to those lands with
artesian water, the social dilemma is underlined. If only traditional methods were
to be employed for solving these water problems, the abandonment of lands must
ensue. The rural population, dependent upon water, would be displaced toward the
northwest coast of the island. No reminder is needed to point out the ongoing
expansion of the urban center of Manama into this same area.

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