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The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Wildlife Protection Department has launched a comprehensive field campaign to intensify on-the-ground monitoring, enhance environmental awareness among desert visitors, and to detect and address related environmental violations.**media[418223]**The campaign targeted the northern areas, including the wild meadows and desert areas. It focused on educating desert-goers about the importance of not making fires directly on the sand without using designated equipment. Participants were also reminded of the importance of disposing of waste only in designated areas and avoiding driving vehicles in restricted zones, as doing so degrades vegetation cover and damages surrounding environmental components. 

Francesco Molinari powered into a two-shot lead after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic Thursday, as four-time champion Rory McIlroy stumbled to an over-par round.Former British Open champion Molinari, now 418th in the world rankings, made eight birdies in a seven-under par 65.The 43-year-old Italian is two shots clear of Sweden's Mikael Lindberg, with Swiss player Joel Girrbach and South African JC Ritchie a stroke further back.It was Molinari's lowest round on the European Tour since January 2024."It's been a long time. I've changed everything and then I've changed back," said the 2018 Ryder Cup winner, who has not won a professional title since the Arnold Palmer Invitational seven years ago."Not super unexpected but I wasn't expecting a score like that. Last week I felt very rusty, so I was hoping it would be very good prep for this week."Molinari will have plenty of work to do to hang onto his lead with a host of top players in the field this week.Shane Lowry and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, who played starring roles in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black last year, both made solid starts with two-under rounds of 70."Standing here right now, I'm very happy with that score," said England's Hatton after his first competitive round of the year."It was pretty tough this morning. Feel like I hit some pretty scruffy golf shots, which in some ways is to be expected."It was a disappointing day though for McIlroy, who hit his approach shot on the par-five 18th hole into the water en route to a closing double-bogey.The Masters champion had earlier mixed three birdies with two bogeys.McIlroy will need to make a move on Friday to get into contention for a fifth title in the event, as will world number three Tommy Fleetwood who also carded a one-over 73. 

Nasser al-Attiyah remained on course for a sixth career Dakar Rally win in the top car category after last year's runner-up Henk Lategan hit more trouble in the Saudi ‌Arabian desert Thursday.The Qatari, driving for the Dacia ‌Sandriders, finished the stage ‍with an eight minute and 40 second lead over closest rival Nani Roma in ⁠a factory Ford. The 13-stage rally ends Saturday at Yanbu on the kingdom's Red Sea coast. "Tomorrow, we ‍just need to do the same as today. If we lose two, three or four minutes it’s no problem. We just need to finish this Dakar in first place," said Al-Attiyah.Ford's Mattias Ekstrom won Thursday's 346km stage from Bisha to Al Henakiyah, the Swede's third stage win of this year's event. Al-Attiyah had started the ‌day 12 minutes clear of Lategan, who had slipped back after two nightmare days of mechanical misfortune and navigational errors.On Tuesday the South African had ‍to drive with no power ⁠steering and no ‌windscreen, on Wednesday he got lost and ran out of fuel and Thursday he broke the bearing on his rear left wheel and dropped to 23rd. "We saw Lategan stop and we’re sorry for him – it’s never nice to see someone who is fighting but has a mechanical issue but it’s part of this game," said Roma.Nine times world rally champion Sebastien Loeb was third overall, but 18 minutes and 37 seconds behind his leading teammate, with Ekstrom fourth. "I really pushed. I think ​Nani was at a ‌very high pace as well so it’s going to be hard to take time back from ⁠him," commented Loeb. Ekstrom's teammate ‍and four times Dakar winner Carlos Sainz was third on the stage and fifth overall.In the motorcycle category, reigning champion Daniel Sanders continued despite a broken collarbone but the Australian has dropped out of contention. American Ricky Brabec relinquished the lead for strategic reasons, the Honda rider and ​double champion seeking a better start position for Friday's key stage, with Argentina's Luciano Benavides taking over at the top for KTM.Benavides is 23 seconds clear but will be at a disadvantage in starting Friday ahead of Brabec. "There's only really one day more left to push... I just did a little bit of strategy today and hopefully it pays off tomorrow," said Brabec. American Skyler Howes won the stage ⁠ahead of French Honda teammate Adrien Van Beveren. Benavides was fourth and Brabec sixth. 

Spaniard Nani Roma led compatriot Carlos Sainz in a Ford one-two at the top of the Dakar Rally car standings Tuesday after a tough ninth stage in the Saudi Arabian desert ‌for some frontrunners. Dacia’s previous leader and five times winner Nasser ‌Saleh al-Attiyah slipped to third but ‍still only one minute 10 seconds behind Roma, with Toyota’s South African Henk Lategan fourth - and with a further five minutes to make up. “I had three punctures today, but I think everyone had problems,” ‍said Roma, who last led the Dakar 12 years ago when he won. “We are positive to be here.” Sainz said it had been hard to find the way at one point, with the cars taking a different route to the bikes and no longer having tracks to follow. “It was tricky navigation but what can we do? I don’t know which position we are in and how many minutes we have lost to the winner, we will see how we’ll be. It’s OK, no problem, we’ll see tomorrow. We’re absolutely ready for it,” al-Attiyah said Tuesday. Lategan described it as a “little bit of a disaster of a day” after getting ‌lost, suffering a puncture, broken windscreen and loss of power steering. “I was driving with no power steering, extremely difficult in these cars because the wheels are so big ‍so you have to have massive power to ‌even turn the wheels,” he said.“And then we had some more punctures, got lost and we hit that bush in Seb (Loeb)’s dust that broke the windscreen. So we had to stop and kick the windscreen out because I couldn’t see from inside the car, put some goggles on and carry on going.” The 410km stage from Wadi Ad Dawasir to the overnight bivouac, first half of a marathon stage, was won by 21-year-old Polish non-factory Toyota driver Eryk Goczal. He finished seven minutes ahead of his uncle Michal, also with the Energylandia team, while ​father Marek was in 31st ‌position. Australian Toby Price, a double Dakar winner on motorcycles, was third on the stage for Toyota. Sainz, 63, was handed a one minute 10-‍second penalty for speeding and finished the stage seventh but ahead of most of his rivals, including Roma in eighth. The four times Dakar winner is now 57 seconds behind Roma, who also won on a motorcycle in 2004. Sweden’s Mattias Ekstrom, who had been second overall for Ford, lost a lot of time ​with a navigation error and dropped to fifth and 11 minutes and 19 seconds off the pace. Dacia’s nine times world rally champion Loeb was sixth. Spaniard Tosha Schareina won the stage in the motorcycle category for Honda, with KTM’s Argentine rider Luciano Benavides losing the way and his overall lead to Australia’s defending champion Daniel Sanders. Sanders, also on a KTM, led Honda’s American Ricky Brabec by six minutes and 24 seconds. The race, which ends on Saturday on the Red Sea coast, is the first round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) season. 

Saood Variawa won the eighth stage of the Dakar Rally in a ‌South African one-two with Henk Lategan Monday as ‌Qatar's Nasser al-Attiyah saw his overall ‍lead cut to four minutes in the Saudi Arabian desert.Dacia Sandriders driver al-Attiyah finished ⁠fifth and one minute and 16 ⁠seconds behind 20-year-old Toyota SA driver Variawa, who beat factory entry Lategan ‍by three seconds on the 483km loop around the southern city of Wadi Ad Dawasir. The Qatari's closest rival Mattias Ekstrom was third for Ford in the longest stage of the 48th edition of the rally.Last year's Dakar runner-up Lategan moved up to third overall, six minutes and eight seconds off the lead with five stages ‌remaining before Saturday's finish in the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The one-two was the fourth ever by South African drivers in the car category. Ford's Nani Roma ‍and Carlos Sainz were fourth ⁠and fifth respectively."We ‌made a little mistake close to the finish and we lost around three minutes," said al-Attiyah, a five times Dakar winner. "But OK, I am really happy from the performance. We don't lose a lot of time. I think we did a good job."Predictions that this year's Dakar would be the closest battle yet were backed up by the top five in the standings, from three different teams, being separated by 10 minutes and 39 seconds.Sixth-placed Sebastien Loeb, the nine-times world rally champion driving for Dacia, remained ​in contention and was within ‌17 minutes of his leading teammate. Reigning Dakar champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Saudi Arabia withdrew last week.In ⁠the motorcycle category, Argentina's Luciano ‍Benavides took his third stage win in four days and seized the overall lead for the first time in his career from Australian KTM teammate and defending champion Daniel Sanders.Benavides, who had started the day nearly five minutes adrift, leads Sanders by 10 seconds with American Honda rider ​Ricky Brabec third and four minutes 47 seconds off the pace. "These last two stages were a little bit faster and in these conditions I feel really good, I can read the roadbook super well and take really good decisions," said Benavides.The Dakar began in 1978 as a race from Paris across the Sahara to the Senegalese capital but switched to South America in 2009 for security reasons. It moved to Saudi ⁠Arabia in 2020. The race is the first round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) season. 

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's (MoECC) Land Protection Department carried out a number of cleanup campaigns at various desert sites as part of the “Cleanup and Rawdat Campaigns” project.**media[401474]**The cleanup campaigns covered several Rawdat areas in the northern and southern regions, in addition to Al-Waseel Al-Gharbiya, in response to the accumulation of waste caused by rainfall and strong winds. 

Qatar has launched an aggressive campaign to save its rawdas — fragile natural depressions that serve as lifelines for desert wildlife — fencing off more than 70 sites and planting thousands of native trees as human encroachment threatens to destroy one of the country's most vital ecosystems.  The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change warns the rawdas face mounting pressure from off-road vehicles, illegal camping, overgrazing and urban sprawl, particularly during the popular camping season when violators crush vegetation, dump plastic waste and light fires directly on desert soil. "These are among the most sensitive ecosystems in the country," said Khalid Juma al-Muhannadi, Director of Wildlife Development at the ministry.  He described the rawdas as strategic environmental assets that act as natural water reservoirs, wildlife habitats and seasonal vegetation centers essential to maintaining ecological balance. The ministry has adopted an integrated approach combining regulation, monitoring, rehabilitation and public awareness to protect these critical sites.  Authorities have identified approximately 1,500 rawdas nationwide and created a comprehensive geographic database containing detailed environmental information on each site to support planning and decision-making. Advanced monitoring technology including geographic information systems, aerial imagery and drones enables officials to track environmental changes and detect violations in real time across the vast desert landscape.  Rehabilitation teams planted more than 14,600 native seedlings during 2025, including sidr, samar, ghaf and acacia species. Seeds are collected from their original habitats and preserved in the national gene bank to protect genetic diversity and ensure the survival of indigenous plant species adapted to Qatar's harsh desert conditions.  The government extended restrictions on camel grazing and regulated sheep and goat grazing for an additional two years to allow vegetation to recover. Inspection campaigns intensified across desert areas, with environmental officers working alongside the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) to document violations and refer offenders for prosecution.  Salim Qadri al-Yami, Assistant Director of the Terrestrial Protection Department, said his team deploys environmental inspectors year-round across rawdas and desert areas to monitor harmful practices.  The most common offenses include overgrazing that degrades vegetation and accelerates soil erosion, lighting fires directly on the ground, off-road driving that crushes plants and scars the landscape, littering especially plastic waste, setting up camps in unauthorised locations and cutting plants for firewood. "During peak seasons, environmental violations are formally recorded and offenders are referred for legal action," al-Yami said, warning that plastic pollution poses serious risks to both environment and human health.  Nawaf Jabr al-Nuaimi, Assistant Director of the Natural Reserves Department, emphasised that protected areas play a vital role in conserving Qatar's plant and animal biodiversity. He said natural reserves serve as an effective tool for environmental protection, supported by regulatory legislation, restrictions on harmful human activities and afforestation initiatives alongside continuous monitoring and community participation through conservation projects. Al-Muhannadi stressed the importance of community involvement, urging residents to follow environmental guidelines, report violations and participate in volunteer programs.  Future plans include expanding fencing and rehabilitation projects, launching national initiatives to plant native vegetation and increasing public awareness through digital platforms. "These efforts reflect Qatar's commitment to protecting its natural heritage and conserving biodiversity in line with national and international environmental obligations," he said. The conservation push aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 goals to safeguard biodiversity and ensure environmental sustainability for future generations.

As part of Qatar National Day celebrations, Darb Al Saai is captivating visitors with an immersive cultural experience that revives the spirit of traditional Bedouin life. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the event offers a vivid re-creation of ancestral lifestyles through the popular Al Maqtar showcase.Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Badi Al Maadheed, head of Al Maqtar and Al Azba activities, highlighted the overwhelming turnout, especially from families.He told Qatar News Agency (QNA), that Al Maqtar is a cornerstone of Darb Al Saai's heritage programming, designed to bring the legacy of forebears to life through interactive and educational encounters.He said the experience features camel rides and hands-on lessons in saddling, drawing enthusiastic participation from children eager to connect with the past.He noted that it's about more than just fun, it's a bridge between generations, where young people discover the resilience and resourcefulness of their ancestors.Visitors can explore a cluster of traditional tents and houses, including the Bayt Al Ageed, Sadu Weaving Tent, Dairy Production Hut, and the Falconry Pavilion. Each space offers a window into a different facet of desert life, from crafting textiles and preparing Arabic coffee to learning about falcons, hunting tools, and the art of falconry.He stressed that poetry circles and riddle sessions add a lyrical touch, nurturing creativity and cultural pride among the youth. The layout of the village, with its close-knit structures and communal spaces, mirrors the social fabric of Bedouin communities.Meanwhile, the Falconry Zone continues to draw large crowds daily. Mohammed Saeed Al Kubaisi, the event's supervisor, explained that the program introduces visitors to various falcon species, hunting techniques, and the role of Saluki hounds in traditional pursuits.Demonstrations such as Daa'w, a live falcon training session held before sunset, offer a rare glimpse into this revered practice.The exhibit also features native birds like the Houbara bustard, enriching the audience's understanding of Qatar's natural heritage. Falconry is more than a sport, Al Kubaisi said. It's a symbol of identity and pride, passed down through generations.Darb Al Saai remains open through December 20, welcoming guests daily from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM at its permanent venue in Umm Salal.The site itself is a harmonious blend of traditional Qatari architecture and modern design, hosting a wide array of cultural, artistic, and recreational events that celebrate national identity and heritage.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA today unveiled BOMA the Desert Owl as the official tournament mascot – a character inspired by the legendary Serbian coach Velibor “Bora” Milutinović, the only manager in football history to lead five different national teams in five consecutive FIFA World Cup™tournaments. The name “Boma,” is derived from the Arabic word for owl – regarded as a symbol of wisdom, vision, and mentorship, and is a playful nod to Bora, whose career as both coach and talent scout has profoundly influenced football development in Qatar and across the world. For a tournament that celebrates the emergence of new talent, BOMA embodies the pivotal role of a football scout – one who sees potential where others may not and helps young players spread their wings on the global stage. Known affectionately as Coach Bora, Milutinović guided Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, Nigeria, and China at five successive World Cups between 1986 and 2002 – a unique achievement unmatched in football history. He went on to coach Al Sadd SC of the Qatar Stars League in 2004, leading them to win the Amir Cup in the same year, and contributed to the country’s football development programmes, making him a fitting inspiration for this tournament’s mascot. Speaking to the LOC, Bora highlights the passion he holds for nurturing future footballers and the importance of the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 in celebrating tomorrow’s stars. “When it comes to discovering young talent, my greatest satisfaction as a coach has always been to promote emerging players – to show them that they must have the right attitude, believe in their dreams, and aim for the national team,” said Coach Bora. “I really like the idea behind the mascot and want to thank everyone who came up with it.” he added. The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 marks a historic milestone as the first edition to feature 48 national teams, underscoring the tournament’s growing global reach. “The World Cup is something truly special. When you’re young, you dream of playing at the highest level – and the U-17 team is the first step on that journey. It’s very important for young players to face the best in the world and see where they stand,”said Coach Bora. “The team that scores more goals will win – it is as simple as that. But with young players, the outcome of matches often depends on inspiration, talent, and spirit. Most importantly, I hope everyone enjoys this World Cup. Enjoying the game is what truly matters, especially at the U-17 level, because that experience helps you grow both as a person and as an athlete,” he added. The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, taking place at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex at Aspire Zone, will see as many as eight matches a day, for a total of 104 matches. The Final will take place on 27 November, 7pm local time, at Khalifa International Stadium. “Aspire Zone is incredible – it has some of the best facilities in the world. The U-17 World Cup will be played on perfect pitches, in perfect conditions. Qatar has a distinguished track record in hosting major events, and I’m sure we’ll see high-quality football once again. I still remember the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – it was unforgettable,” said Coach Bora. Fans can purchase tickets at: www.roadtoqatar.qa. Tickets are available as a Day Pass, which will enable fans to attend multiple matches a day as well as cultural and entertainment activities taking place around matches, in what will be an electrifying football festival-like atmosphere. Fans can also purchase a Prime Pass, which will enable them to reserve seats for high demand matches. Supporters of the Qatar national team can avail the Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of the Qatari U-17 team during the group stage. All tickets will be digital and will include wheelchair accessible seating options for disabled fans. The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ is the first of five consecutive editions that Qatar will be hosting. As the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, this will be the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time. Qatar’s spectacular line-up of mega-sporting events will kick off with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 from 3-27 November, followed by the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ from 1-18 December. In addition, the country is also set to host the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025, which will take place on 10, 13 and 17 December.