The wild plant restoration event organised by Quranic Botanic Garden in Al Nasraniya.
Doha: The Quranic Botanic Garden (QBG), the first garden in the world to exhibit all plant species mentioned in the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Sunnah, celebrated Qatar Environment Day, held annually on February 26, with a wild plant restoration event at Rawdat Al Faras in Al Nasraniya.
The activity was held in partnership with the Environmental Protection Reserves & Wildlife Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, which allocated Rawdat Al Faras to be rehabilitated by QBG with the close cooperation of the Qatari National Committee for Education, Culture and Science that in turn coordinated the participation of Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Department of Conservation and Energy Efficiency ‘Tarsheed’ at Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) at the event. From its end, QBG brought together members of the Qatar Boy Scouts and Guides Association and the Friends of the Environment Center.
The restoration event saw the participation of entity representatives and volunteers from across Qatar, who helped restore 300 desert trees in Rawdat Al Faras, one of the most important restoration areas related to Qatar Environment Day.
In addition to planting wild plants and spotting animals inhabiting Rawdat Al Faras, participants undertook a rigorous litter cleaning campaign of the area.
Environmental researchers present at the event provided detailed explanations of the types of wild plants, insects, and reptiles inhabiting the area, and their important role in preserving the ecosystem. All activities were held with strict adherence to social distancing regulations.
The event was held in line with the United Nations’ SDGs, the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, and QBG’s goal of restoring wild plants in their natural habitats, combating desertification and cooperating with the local community to support its commitment to preserving the nation’s environment, plants and fungal natural resources.
Director, QBG, Fatima Al-Khulaifi said: “Qatar Environment Day is a special occasion for us, in which we are keen to cooperate with our partners from various state institutions and contribute to Qatar’s efforts to protect the environment and its natural balance. Additionally, we are working with diverse parties to rehabilitate endemic plants and plant wild trees in their desert habitats to reduce carbon emissions and limit desertification in Qatar. On this occasion, we would like to thank everyone that cooperated with us to contribute to the rehabilitation of Rawdat Al Faras.
“QBG is aware of the environmental challenges related to wild plants in Qatar, and we are doing our best to protect and preserve them. That is why, last August, we organized an interactive webinar entitled ‘Challenges Facing the Flora and Ecosystems of the Arabian Peninsula.”
Director, Department of Protection and Wildlife, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Talib Khalid Al-Shahwani said: “Protecting and preserving the local plants and the rehabilitation of endangered wild plants in the country are top priorities for the Ministry. To this end, our department cooperates with various stakeholders in the country to ensure the implementation of these preservations’ plans.
“This event is one of the cooperative aspects between the Ministry of Municipality and Environment represented by the Department of Protection and Wildlife and Qatar Foundation represented by QBG. It is a multi-aspect cooperation aimed at ensuring preservation of wildlife, local vegetation conservation and the resettlement of endangered species in their native habitats.”
