Experts and environmentalists recently discussed options to protect Qatar’s diverse ecological systems during the recent Living Desert event hosted by the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future at Qatar Foundation.
Celebrating World Environment Day 2022, the event was held in collaboration with Qatar National Library (QNL). The panel discussions featured experts from the Quranic Botanic Garden (QBG) and Qatar Natural History Group (QNHG).
Titled, Conservation and Restorative Policies for the Terrestrial Ecology of Qatar and Other Hot Arid Lands, the panel was attended by QNL and Earthna officials, along with over 150 participants who joined the discussion on how to fend off the threat of overgrazing, inappropriate recreational land uses, pollution, and habitat loss from agriculture and urban expansion.
Following the panel discussion, the event also hosted the launch of Hidden Beauty, a book by Dr René Richer which contains a comprehensive and scientifically up-to-date documentation of Qatar’s flora.
Preserving Qatar’s unique desert biodiversity
According to Earthna Executive Director Dr Gonzalo Castro De La Mata, the need to conserve Qatar’s unique desert biodiversity and ecosystems and raise public awareness on its importance is an essential part of Earthna’s sustainability agenda. He said that this is a critical issue, not only for Qatar, but also for other countries in the region and in arid environments.
We look forward to working with our partners on outlining Qatar’s ecology and outlining the necessary next steps to ensure ecological conservation.
Speaking about QNL’s collaboration with Earthna, QNL Executive Director Tan Huism said the Library is committed to Qatar’s environment and sustainability strategy and will continue to play an active role in providing a platform for the community and experts to exchange knowledge, learn and access information around the sustainability agenda in Qatar and the world.
Department of Environmental Protection, Natural Reserves and Wildlife
As a key player in promoting the value and preserving the environmental ecosystem in Qatar, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change highlighted the role of the Department of Environmental Protection, Natural Reserves and Wildlife in implementing many of the environmental policies at the local level.
Within its scope of work it focuses on strengthening the institutional framework and oversee the sustainable management of biodiversity. This was achieved by:
- Focusing on biodiversity protection and conservation activities
- Ensuring sustainable use of non-renewable natural resources through enacting relevant legislation
- Developing the natural vegetation
- Rehabilitating degraded pastures and enhancing their revegetation
- Combating land degradation due to desertification
To this end, it capitalises on studies, as is the case in preventing the consequences of overgrazing and other human activities, taking into account the national development requirements. Additionally, the department makes sure to take part in promoting these policies, making use of awareness programmes and community participation, applying the preservation of the wild environment components, to rise to the sought target and outcome. This pours into achieving the requirements of the fourth pillar of the state’s vision – achieving environmental sustainability.
Earthna
The event is the latest initiative by Earthna, a Qatar Foundation-affiliated non-profit policy centre, and is part of its wider Living Deserts campaign to put in motion policies that pave the way for Qatar to become a global exemple of restorative sustainability and a centre for bio-safe tourism.
Since its launch, Earthna has built on the efforts of Qatar Foundation in terms of sustainable development to generate solutions that enhance Qatar’s global sustainability policy role. Earthna will continue to expand its network of experts, government, policy and decision makers, businesses, multilateral institutions, and civil society to promote a circular economy, sustainable energy, resource security and management practices, environmental protection and restoration, and societal well-being.
To find out more about Earthna, visit earthna.qa.
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