Bal'ad has one of the many nature reserves of the country which is located on the eastern bank of the Shabelle River, immediately south of the town.

The site consists of one of the few patches of riverine forest remaining on the Shabelle River and the surrounding scrub savannah.

The reserve included a field-centre which, from 1985 to 1990, burning, cutting and grazing within the site was controlled and there were some signs of recovery of the forest and an increase in wildlife populations.

The Somalitex futas vary in thickness, colour, and design and most shops in the marketplace stock them as well as the imported polyesters.

The latter, although impractical in the tropical heat, easily torn and expensive, seem to have captured the taste of Somali women by their bright patterns and varied textures.