This update is in line with the ministry’s vision for the current camping season to be sustainable, with the aim of preserving the local environment in all regions of the country, including its distinctive plant cover and biodiversity. He emphasized that conserving the environment is a national duty for every citizen or resident, as this biodiversity is a national heritage shared by all citizens of Qatar. Al-Dahi called upon all campers and dessert enthusiasts to emphasise the importance of conserving the environment and safeguarding its natural resources.
He stressed the significance of adhering to the conditions and regulations of the new Winter Camping Season 2023-2024. These regulations include compliance with designated coordinates for each camp and maintaining specific distances between camps, manors, farms, and villages. He mentioned that ministry teams would actively monitor the implementation of these conditions throughout the day to ensure the success of the camping season while preserving the local environment without any adverse impact on our local flora and fauna.
Al-Dahi announced that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change would establish an awareness camp in the Sealine area within the Khor Al Adaid Reserve. This camp will be dedicated to awareness and recreational activities. Additionally, several programmes and competitions will be organised, and prizes will be awarded to the best winter camp that promotes environmental conservation.
Approximately 2,000 saplings of various wild plants will be distributed, along with 2,000 seed packets containing plants such as “Ziziphus jujuba, Prosopis cineraria, Acacia tortilis, Lycium shawii, and Acacia ehrenbergiana” First aid kits will also be distributed to campsite owners.
Salem Hussein Al-Safran, director of the Natural Reserves Department, said the ministry would also allow in-person registration at the committee offices in all camping areas across the country during the period October 22nd to 31st, 2023, in conjunction with online registration. Additionally, the registration process for in-person attendance at external departments of the ministry will be open during the period from November 1st to 10th, 2023, subject to available spaces in case there are unreserved slots.
Salem Al Safran mentioned during his speech at the press conference that the general conditions for the camping process were established to preserve all types of environmental diversity in the Qatari environment such as plants, animals, and trees.
He emphasised that the ministry’s monitoring of these conditions is not intended to impose sanctions on violators but rather to provide guidance and assistance in following the instructions. He stressed the importance of campers adhering to these conditions to ensure a sustainable camping season where everyone can enjoy the environment and nature without any negative impact on our local environment. Regarding the camping conditions, Fawzi Al-Shamari, the head of the Winter Camping Season team at the ministry, explained that requesting the same camping location as in the previous season is subject to the availability of sites and priority in applying for the site.
If the permit holder violates any of the ministry’s conditions, the relevant authority has the right to remove the camp. He also pointed out that the ministry has the right to revoke the environmental permit in case of non-compliance with the mentioned conditions.
Permit holders are not allowed to obtain more than one permit, and they must allow inspectors from the relevant authority to inspect the camp when requested to ensure compliance with the permit conditions.
If the inspection is denied, the relevant authority can withdraw the permit.
