The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), part of Qatar Foundation and the first garden in the world to exhibit all plant species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, and Sunnah, celebrated Qatar Environment Day, held annually on February 26, with a wild plant restoration event at Rawdat al-Faras in Al Nasraniya.
The activity was held in partnership with the Environmental Protection Reserves & Wildlife Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, which allocated Rawdat al-Faras to be rehabilitated by QBG with the close cooperation of the Qatari National Committee for Education, Culture and Science. Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Department of Conservation and Energy Efficiency , ‘Tarsheed’ at Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) participated in the event. Additionally, QBG brought together members of the Qatar Boy Scouts and Guides Association and the Friends of the Environment Centre.
The restoration event saw the participation of entity representatives and volunteers from across Qatar, who helped restore 300 desert trees in Rawdat al-Faras, one of the most important restoration areas related to Qatar Environment Day. In addition to planting wild plants and spotting animals inhabiting Rawdat al-Faras, participants undertook a rigourous litter cleaning campaign of the area.
Environmental researchers present at the event provided detailed explanations of the types of wild plants, insects, and reptiles inhabiting the area, and their important role in preserving the ecosystem. All activities were held with strict adherence to social distancing regulations.
The event was held in line with the United Nations’ SDGs, the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, and QBG’s goal of restoring wild plants in their natural habitats, combating desertification and cooperating with the local community to support its commitment to preserving the nation’s environment, plants and fungal natural resources.
Fatima al-Khulaifi, director, QBG said, “Qatar Environment Day is a special occasion for us, in which we are keen to cooperate with our partners from various state institutions and contribute to Qatar’s efforts to protect the environment and its natural balance. Additionally, we are working with diverse parties to rehabilitate endemic plants and plant wild trees in their desert habitats to reduce carbon emissions and limit desertification in Qatar.”
Talib Khalid al-Shahwani, director, Department of Protection and Wildlife, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, said, “Protecting and preserving the local plants and the rehabilitation of endangered wild plants in the country are top priorities for the Ministry. To this end, our department cooperates with various stakeholders in the country to ensure the implementation of these preservations’ plans.”
Dr Hamda Hassan al-Sulaiti, secretary-general, Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, said, “Such community initiatives contribute to achieving the 17 sustainable development goals, preserving the identity of Qatari plants, as well as introducing local youth to their environment and the importance of safeguarding it and its natural resources.”
Maha Issa al-Rumaihi, director, Youth Affairs Department, Ministry of Culture and Sports, said, " The Ministry’s participation in this event is part of our solid belief in enhancing the impact of the environment on the lives of young people, raising their awareness of sustainable development to adopt the values and culture of preserving the environment, and the necessity of preserving the plants of Qatar.”
Fatma al-Misnad, president, Awareness and Social Development, Kahramaa, commented: "Marking Qatari Environment Day stresses the fact that environmental sustainability is an individual, collective and societal responsibility at all levels. Embracing sustainability, fighting climate change, the preservation of wild and marine life, as well as Qatar's initiatives to reduce carbon emissions play a crucial role in sustainable development."
The activity was held in partnership with the Environmental Protection Reserves & Wildlife Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, which allocated Rawdat al-Faras to be rehabilitated by QBG with the close cooperation of the Qatari National Committee for Education, Culture and Science. Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Department of Conservation and Energy Efficiency , ‘Tarsheed’ at Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) participated in the event. Additionally, QBG brought together members of the Qatar Boy Scouts and Guides Association and the Friends of the Environment Centre.
The restoration event saw the participation of entity representatives and volunteers from across Qatar, who helped restore 300 desert trees in Rawdat al-Faras, one of the most important restoration areas related to Qatar Environment Day. In addition to planting wild plants and spotting animals inhabiting Rawdat al-Faras, participants undertook a rigourous litter cleaning campaign of the area.
Environmental researchers present at the event provided detailed explanations of the types of wild plants, insects, and reptiles inhabiting the area, and their important role in preserving the ecosystem. All activities were held with strict adherence to social distancing regulations.
The event was held in line with the United Nations’ SDGs, the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, and QBG’s goal of restoring wild plants in their natural habitats, combating desertification and cooperating with the local community to support its commitment to preserving the nation’s environment, plants and fungal natural resources.
Fatima al-Khulaifi, director, QBG said, “Qatar Environment Day is a special occasion for us, in which we are keen to cooperate with our partners from various state institutions and contribute to Qatar’s efforts to protect the environment and its natural balance. Additionally, we are working with diverse parties to rehabilitate endemic plants and plant wild trees in their desert habitats to reduce carbon emissions and limit desertification in Qatar.”
Talib Khalid al-Shahwani, director, Department of Protection and Wildlife, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, said, “Protecting and preserving the local plants and the rehabilitation of endangered wild plants in the country are top priorities for the Ministry. To this end, our department cooperates with various stakeholders in the country to ensure the implementation of these preservations’ plans.”
Dr Hamda Hassan al-Sulaiti, secretary-general, Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, said, “Such community initiatives contribute to achieving the 17 sustainable development goals, preserving the identity of Qatari plants, as well as introducing local youth to their environment and the importance of safeguarding it and its natural resources.”
Maha Issa al-Rumaihi, director, Youth Affairs Department, Ministry of Culture and Sports, said, " The Ministry’s participation in this event is part of our solid belief in enhancing the impact of the environment on the lives of young people, raising their awareness of sustainable development to adopt the values and culture of preserving the environment, and the necessity of preserving the plants of Qatar.”
Fatma al-Misnad, president, Awareness and Social Development, Kahramaa, commented: "Marking Qatari Environment Day stresses the fact that environmental sustainability is an individual, collective and societal responsibility at all levels. Embracing sustainability, fighting climate change, the preservation of wild and marine life, as well as Qatar's initiatives to reduce carbon emissions play a crucial role in sustainable development."
