- Qatar’s MoECC has initiated a project to rehabilitate 100 meadows over five years in an effort to fight climate change.
- The rehabilitation process includes cleaning the meadows of waste and planting local trees.
- The project will prioritize meadows that are threatened by the destruction of their plant cover, including rare plants.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) in Doha, Qatar has initiated a project to rehabilitate 100 meadows over five years.
The goal of this project is to preserve the local ecosystem and address climate change. Qatar’s mainland has 1,273 open habitats or fields, vegetated with grass, herbs, and other non-woody plants, and the project aims to rehabilitate 36 meadows this year.
The rehabilitation process includes cleaning the meadows of waste and planting local trees.
The project aims to develop the plants that grow in the meadows and restore vegetation cover to their natural state.
The meadows will also be fenced to prevent vehicles from entering, while allowing individuals to enjoy the natural diversity these areas offer.
The project will prioritize meadows that are threatened by the destruction of their plant cover, including rare plants.
Some environmental and social standards will be considered in choosing the meadows for rehabilitation.
Each phase of the project will include the restoration of a specific group of meadows, after collecting data on these areas.
MoECC officials, including Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves, Dr. Ibrahim Al Muslimani, and Director of the Wildlife Development Department, Muhammad Ahmed Al Khanji, recently visited Rawdat Al Qaiya, a meadow in the north of Qatar.
Al Khanji stated that the department’s priority is rehabilitating and protecting the Qatari mainland. The department is working to develop vegetation cover in all regions of the country and launch awareness programs.
The Ministry has developed plans to implement these steps over the coming years.
The department plans to complete the project for listing meadows in the country and launch its database next year.
The Ministry is making great efforts to protect meadows throughout the country since several meadows have been entirely closed to protect rare and endangered plant species.
Some meadows have also been partially closed for planting and rehabilitating them so that the vegetation can regain its normal condition and growth.
Some meadows have been preserved and protected as an important source of plant genetic resources in Qatar.
MoECC efforts over the past years have resulted in the rehabilitation of 31 meadows in various parts of the country.
Additionally, 17,463 wild trees have been planted in various rehabilitated sites, and 4,980 wild trees have been transferred from the sites of state infrastructure projects to meadows that are being rehabilitated under expert supervision.
