Qatar has put environmental sustainability at the centre of its development agenda. Environmental development is also an important part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to direct Qatar towards a balance between developmental needs and the protection of its natural environment, whether land, sea or air. The state has put in place an effective legal framework and institutions that work to preserve the country’s environmental heritage. The government has also, through a number of initiatives over the years, increased public awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.
The Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) have in recent years launched a number of successful initiatives to not only fight deforestation in the country but also to increase the vegetation and green spaces across Qatar.
MoECC recently launched a project to rehabilitate 100 meadows during next five years, in a bid to preserve local ecosystem and address climate change. Qatar’s mainland is dotted with meadows. A survey by the ministry identified 1,273 open habitats or fields, vegetated with grass, herbs, and other non-woody plants. Initially, the project aims to rehabilitate 36 meadows this year. The project also aims to restore vegetation cover to its natural state. The project will also see fencing the meadows in order to protect these areas from vehicular traffic. MoECC efforts over past years have resulted in the rehabilitation of 31 meadows in various parts of the country, and planting of 17,463 wild trees in various rehabilitated sites. This is in addition to transferring 4,980 wild trees from the sites of infrastructure projects to meadows being rehabilitated.
The government has also launched afforestation drives, including the successful ‘Plant Million Trees’ initiative, under which the millionth tree was planted on December 18, 2022, coinciding with the celebration of the country’s National Day and the conclusion of the FIFA World Qatar 2022. In 2023, the Ministry of Municipality planted over 332,000 trees across Qatar. It has also built 15 new public parks across the country so far this year. Qatar also has mangrove forests in a total stretch of 13 square kilometres in its coastal areas at Al Zakhira, Al Khor, Al Shamal and others.
The government’s efforts to promote community health, including by providing a healthy environment, have been recognised by the WHO. Qatar is the first country where all municipalities have received the title of Healthy City from the WHO, in addition to Qatar Foundation’s Education City being recognised as a Healthy Education City and Qatar University as a Healthy University.
