By Santhosh V Perumal/Business Reporter

Halul Island, which is dubbed as a “unique model of harmonious co-existence between nature and industry”, is leaving no stones unturned to improve the standards of the
surrounding environment.
“The Halul Terminal and Export Department ensures that every step is in place to protect and enhance the rich environmental aspects of the island,” Qatar Petroleum, the country’s flagship company, said as it celebrated the Offshore Day 2012 with grandeur.
Halul Island is a habitat for a herd of mountain goats, 38 species of birds and variety of marine life and it is Field Support (Offshore Fields) that is responsible for handling the feeding, general upkeep and well-being of the wildlife.
“Wildlife is an important component of the island’s ecosystem and QP encourages residents to adopt measures enabling it to flourish,” QP said, adding that Halul coastal erosion and protection project is currently underway and expected to be completed
by 2016.
Highlighting its coral reef conservation programme, QP said as part of the continual effort to improve the quality of environment, the various departments have installed 50 artificial reef balls off the Halul
Island’s coast.
Artificial reef balls are concrete-based cylindrical structures that are used in marine areas where the ecological system is in a fragile state.
“When placed (usually in groups) the reef balls form small artificial reefs that encourage the adhesion and growth of coral polyps, thus improving the marine
ecosystem,” QP said.
More than 50 reef balls fabricated and supplied by the Environmental Studies Centre (ESC) at Qatar University were installed at predetermined locations by divers from the marine
department.
The ESC will monitor and report on the growth of corals on the reef balls over a period of one year and depending on the success, QP would explore further possible use of artificial
reef balls.
Moreover, a sustainable environmental management programme (SEMP) has also been developed for Halul Island.
The Halul Terminal and Export and Corporate Environment departments, which have sponsored the premise for SEMP, which seeks to adopt a multidisciplinary approach for managing the environmental impact of QP operations on the island and its
surrounding environment.
“The project will result in the development of a comprehensive environmental management programme for the island that can be implemented in a
sustainable manner,” QP said.
Environmental conservation projects are being carried out at Halul and efforts are being made to protect the birds, plants and fish in the area. A variety of flowering plants, trees and shrubs are planted to enhance greenery and landscape. Two turtle nesting areas are preserved on the north and west of the island.
A centralised Halul waste water and sewage treatment plant is expected to be
completed in 2016.