The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) announced the official dates for the winter camping season in Qatar – from 1 November until 1 April 2023 in the north and central regions – and from 20 December until 20 May in the areas of Khor Al Odaid and Sealine.
The announcement was made during a press conference last week at the ministry headquarters.
MOECC Department of Natural Reserves Assistant Director Salem Hussain al-Safran said the Sealine and Khor Al Odaid areas will hold heritage and entertainment events designed to enthral visitors during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ to highlight Qatari culture.
According to Public Relations Director Farhoud al-Hajri, registration for all beaches will open this October in three separate phases. Registration for the southern regions – Sealine and Khor Al Odaid – will be from 16 to 19 October; while registration for the central region will be available from 20 to 23 October. Registration for spots in the northern region will be from 24 to 27 October.
Registration is online via the ministry’s official website or through the Oun app. The fees should be paid electronically within three days from the date of approval and the applicant can cancel the request within 10 days from the date of paying the fees.
The ministry also reminded camp goers to protect and preserve the natural resources in the camp areas by using alternative and eco-friendly energy, planting plants and trees, maintaining camping sites and adhering to the controls and conditions related to camping. These include adherence to the coordinates assigned to a camp and the distances between camps, farms and villages.
The MOECC also announced that the applicant must be a Qatari national. If the applicant fails to pay the permit and insurance fees within the specified grace period – three days from the date of approval of the application, the application will be considered cancelled.
The applicant should also not obtain more than one permit and must place the camp board in a visible place where it is easy for the ministry inspectors to view. Applicants are also required to abide by the provisions of the relevant laws and ministerial decisions, particularly those related to the protection of the environment.
The applicant should start the camping procedures in coordination with a ministry inspector. The permit is personal and the camp shouldn’t be rented or given to anyone. It is prohibited to use the camp for anything other than what is allowed and authorised in the permit.
General cleanliness must be maintained and the land or marine environment should not be harmed. Also, the camp must be inhabited and not neglected.
Campers must stay away from government and service facilities and oil and gas pipelines with a distance of not less than 500 metres, or as the competent authority deems appropriate.
For updates and more information, visit mme.gov.qa.
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