‘Qatar committed to protecting biodiversity, threatened species’

Doha, The Gulf Observer: Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani affirmed Qatar’s interest in preserving biodiversity and protecting all local creatures threatened with extinction because of its importance in preserving the environmental balance, including the project to protect hawksbill sea turtles.

This came during a campaign organised by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) to clean and rehabilitate Fuwairit Beach in the north of the country, marking the start of the sea turtle nesting season of 2023.

The Minister said that the ministry was rehabilitating and equipping Fuwairit Beach, marking the start of the sea turtle nesting season, and the release of many young sea turtles, which contributes to the development of the local environment and increasing its biodiversity, including living organisms that are an important link in the chain of environmental balance.

He noted that this in a way contributes to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development in all regions of the country.

The Minister highlighted that environmental development is one of the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, and there is no doubt that achieving this vision is a national responsibility for all members of society.

He said the ministry has made strenuous efforts to preserve these endangered creatures, represented by the release of more than 40,000 baby turtles during the past five years. He said the ministry is raising 500 baby turtles with a success rate of over 85 percent, under the supervision and observation of the ministry’s researchers.

The Minister noted that the process of preserving and protecting the environment is a joint responsibility of the state and the local community.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change pointed to the responsibility of all individuals to work to protect the local environment and preserve the biodiversity it contains that characterised the state over the past many years, in a way that contributes to limiting the destruction of systems and environment.

We all should work to carry out our duties to prevent environmental deterioration that threatens animals and plants in the long term due to some irresponsible things, he said.