Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has announced that the Winter Camping Season 2021-22 will end on May 2.
The Ministry has also announced a grace period of 12 days and advised the campers to dismantle and remove their camps by May 14.
“Winter Camping Season 2021-22, which witnessed 1,626 camps has been provided with 12 days grace period until May 14, allowing campers to enjoy Eid Al Fitr vacation,” said Director of Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri.
He said May 14 is the deadline to remove the camps.
Addressing a press conference held yesterday at the headquarters of the ministry, Al Hajri said the six-month-long camping season at various places across the country started in November 2021.
Director of Public Relation Department, Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri, and Assistant Director of the Department of Natural Reserves, Salem Hussein Al Safran, addressing the press conference.
Speaking about environmental violations, Al Hajri said that with increasing awareness of the importance of preserving environment, campers were found adhering more strictly to rules and regulation of camping.
He praised their cooperation with the authorities concerned in maintaining security, safety and health rules which contributed to the success of this season. For the first time, he said, in order to achieve community participation to develop and modernise the winter camping season, the ministry will launch a questionnaire to get campers' feedback about the season and conduct a study in cooperation with Qatar University on the social and environmental impact of camping. “An agreement is underway with Qatar University to conduct a study on social and environmental impact of camps during the camping season.”
He said the study will focus on the impacts of winter season on meadows, wild plants, animals, coasts and beaches; impact of waste and sanitation of camps on the environment; and the impact on the migrating birds.
“The study will also include impact of winter camping on the movement and reproduction of living organisms (nesting season, sea turtles), especially the non-compliance with environmental requirements,” said Al Hajri.
He said the study also includes a survey seeking campers’ opinion and suggestions to reduce the impacts of negative practices, proposals about suitable timing and areas for camping, mechanism for selecting camps and proposing new appropriate mechanism for allotments of camps (for example, the raffle draw) among others.
Regarding the services provided by the ministry to the camps, Assistant Director of the Department of Natural Reserves, Salem Hussein Al Safran said over 395 tonnes of waste was removed from camping areas from November 2021 to March 2022.
He said 305 garbage containers were also provided to camps in coordination with the General Cleanliness Department of the Ministry of Municipality.
Al Safran said awareness campaigns were carried out during the camping season through the social media, street advertisements and through environmental inspectors. He said that under the awareness drives, campers were educated about the importance of preserving the environment and maintaining public hygiene at camping sites, as well as adhering to the general instructions and guidelines for security and safety.
The ministry called on camper to dismantle and remove their camps by the May 14 deadline. After the deadline, environmental teams will conduct inspections at camping sites to take legal action against violations.
