Doha, January 28 (QNA) - HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed Al-Thani stressed the need to take all necessary measures to protect the environment and wildlife in all parts of the country, especially those that have been declared as natural reserves, as well as plant environments.
During his tour of meadows and wildlife areas in the northern regions of the country today, His Excellency noted the importance of instructing meadow visitors and drivers regarding their responsibilities towards these reserves, stressing the need to increase the use of indicative signs and sign boards in meadow areas, determining vehicles' paths in wild areas, to forbid entry to them, to prevent the trampling over grass beds and damaging natural vegetation whilst driving over them with cars and motorcycles.
His Excellency said in a press statement on the sidelines of the tour that the rains that swept through Qatar reflected positively on the growth of wild plants and local trees in many meadows and natural reserves, pointing out that the aim of the tour is to oversee the protection procedures of meadows, and their growth and prosperity for the pleasure of all citizens, especially camp owners, as well as preserving those places from camp waste, and following environmentally friendly practices that do not affect them due to their environmental sensitivity and importance.
HE Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al-Thani stated that the Ministry's procedures are not intended to impose penalties on violators, but rather to raise awareness and guide visitors to natural reserves and valleys on the importance of preserving those places that God has endowed the State of Qatar with.
He pointed out that the number of violations decreased recently, as a result of the sense of responsibility shown by natural reserve visitors, and that offenders are a small segment that is unaware of the ministry's rules and regulations in relation to these locations.
His Excellency stated that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is determining the paths for vehicles, and is working on setting barriers for entry of vehicles to these meadows, whilst removing pedestrian barriers, stressing the need to expand the outreach of and intensify awareness campaigns to all visitors using all means, stating that the ministry is cooperating with all state institutions and ministries to protect local environment.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) also runs many patrols to protect these sites throughout the day, to give advice and guidance to all visitors, wishing them an enjoyable visit to meadows and nature reserves.
For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves Affairs Dr. Ibrahim Abdullatif Al Maslamani said that MoECC is working on setting up numerous indicative signs in all meadow areas and natural reserves, emphasizing the importance of vehicle compliance with taking the roads designated for them, and to avoid driving into sites with trees and wild plants.
Al Maslamani added that the indicative boards will include encouragements and explanations for the youth, on the importance of environmental protection, stressing that the vegetation covering the reserves cannot be replaced, and are public property, therefore exist for the enjoyment of everyone, with no one having the right to spoil or destroy them.
In the same context, director of the wildlife development department Mohammed Al Khinji noted that the Ministry is putting a great effort within the framework of local environment protection, working to rehabilitate some sites, pointing out that rehabilitation works include the planting of trees and plants appropriate for these meadows, in benefiting from the rainy period. (QNA)