DOHA: Over 23 percent of land area in Qatar has been allocated for natural reserves, which stretches 2744sqkm, according to data released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.
The ministry released environment-related data to mark Qatar Environment Day yesterday.
According to 2014 data, Qatar has 12 natural reserves — Al Areeq, Al Dakhira, Khor Al Odaid, Al Rifa, Umm Al Amad, Umm Qarn, Al Sanee, Al Reem, Al Sheehaniya, Al Mishabiyya, Al Wosail and Wadi Sultana.
Qatar has two marine natural reserves in Khor Al Odaid and Al Dakhira, stretching a total of 720sqkm, the biggest being Al Odaid, which accounts for 47 percent of total natural reserves.
The population of Arabian oryx was estimated at 1,537 in 2014, which is increasing gradually. The highest number (50 percent) existed in Al Mashabiyya reserve.
Fish catch dropped from 17,688 metric tonnes in 2008 to 16,213 metric tonnes in 2014, indicating an increase in natural fish reserves.
The average catch per boat decreased from 36.5 metric tonnes in 2008 to 34.9 metric tonnes in 2014.
Measured against air quality standards, Doha Corniche and Aspire Zone have clean, natural environment.
Qatar has achieved total waste water disposal through the sewage network or tankers. Between 1986 and 2015, buildings connected to the network increased from 25,037 (50.5 percent of the total completed premises) in 1986 to 142,276 (84 percent of the total) in 2015.
People living in buildings not connected to the sewage network are served through water tankers, which take waste water to the treatment plant.
Construction and domestic waste is on the rise from 8m metric tonnes in 2008 to 10m metric tonnes in 2014.
Construction waste accounts for 71 percent of the total solid waste in 2014. Per capita domestic waste is estimated at 1.3kg in 2014, which has crossed the 1.6 kg target set by the National Development Strategy 2011- 2016.
The hottest day in 2014 was May 28 (47.9 degrees C) and the coldest February 12 (11.6 degrees).
The Peninsula
