More to be done to protect wild meadows
More efforts need to be undertaken by the authorities concerned in the country to protect wild meadows against unauthorised entry with vehicles, which causes significant damage to the local environment there.
An online questionnaire was issued recently by local Arabic daily Arrayah on how to curb such violations, with most of the participants stressing the need for tighter control and stricter penalties for violators.
Some respondents suggested that most of these meadows should be fenced off, especially after rainfall, in a way that makes them inaccessible for vehicles.
Others recommended that there should be surveillance cameras powered by solar energy to monitor such places round the clock and spot violators, while some others suggested that encroaching upon such areas with vehicles should be punishable with hefty fines.
Some respondents said the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change should create a new application with a photo option. This will allow people to take photos of related violations and send them promptly to the authorities through the app.
In general, most respondents affirmed the need to spread awareness among the public to prevent such unacceptable practices in order to protect the local environment.
HE Sheikh Dr Faleh said that the ministry's procedures are not intended to impose penalties on violators, but rather to raise awareness and guide visitors to natural reserves and valleys on the importance of preserving those places that God has endowed Qatar with.
He pointed out that the number of violations decreased recently, as a result of the sense of responsibility shown by natural reserve visitors, and that offenders are a small segment that is unaware of the rules and regulations in relation to these locations.
He said that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is is working on setting up barriers for entry of vehicles to these meadows, whilst removing pedestrian barriers. The ministry also runs many patrols to protect these sites throughout the day, to give advice and guidance to all visitors, wishing them an enjoyable visit to meadows and nature reserves.
Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Natural Reserves Affairs Dr Ibrahim Abdullatif al-Maslamani emphasised the importance of vehicle compliance with taking the roads designated for them, and to avoid driving into sites with trees and wild plants.
Director of the Wildlife Development Department Mohamed al-Khinji said that the ministry is putting a great effort within the framework of local environment protection, working to rehabilitate some sites, pointing out that rehabilitation works include the planting of trees and plants appropriate for these meadows, in benefiting from the rainy period.
