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Conservation

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Several species are currently endangered or extinct in the wild as a result of a number of reasons; intense hunting pressure with modern techniques, Collection and consumption of  sea turtle eggs, several land-use issues such as encroachment by villas, sewage effluent, rubbish disposal and land reclamation are just a few. 

In some locations pollution from the oil and gas industry is having negative impact on species diversity. Other pollutants include sewage and garbage that is causing the loss of physical habitat. Pollutants in the environment can impact components of biodiversity potentially causing increased mortality or diminished reproductive success. 

The marine environment in Qatar is historically important and constitutes a cultural symbol and a natural source of food, water and wealth for the people of Qatar. 

Qatar is surrounded by sea water on three sides extending for a distance of 700 km. Qatar's territorial waters encompass some 35,000 square km surrounding the peninsula. Coastal waters are extremely shallow, averaging 30 m along the northern and eastern coastlines, and only 20 m along the western coastline.

About 955 marine species have been noted in Qatar.  Marine life has had to adapt to the relatively harsh conditions of the Gulf with high average temperatures and high salinity. In addition, the Arabian Gulf is considered an environmentally sensitive area due to its relatively small volume and limited exchange of water. 

The 22 Species at risk in Qatar are mostly marine species. A systematic determination of risk using national criteria for Qatar would likely identify a greater number of species at risk.  

Terrestrial Species at Risk in Qatar

Endangered 

Arabian Oryx   Oryx leucoryx  

Vulnerable 

Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
Lesser Kestrel  Falco naumanni
Corn Crake  Crex crex
Sociable Lapwing  Vanellus gregarius
Socotra Cormorant  Phalacrocorax nigrogularis 

Lower Risk - near threatened 

Great Snipe  Gallinago media
Ferruginous Duck  Aythya nyroca
Pale Harrier  Circus macrourus 
Cinereous Bunting  Emberiza cineracea
Houbara Bustard  Chlamydotis undulata 

Data Deficient 

Black-winged Pratincole  Glareola nordmanni


Marine Species at Risk in Qatar

Critically Endangered Hawksbill Turtle  Eretmochelys imbricata
Leatherback Turtle  Dermochelys coriacea 
Endangered  Green Turtle  Chelonia mydas
Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta
Olive Ridley Turtle  Lepidochelys olivacea 

Vulnerable  

 Dugong  Dugong dugong
Blacktip Shark  Carcharhinus limbatus
Brown Shark  Carcharhinus plumbeus 

Data Deficient

 Black Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin Sousa chinensis

The flora and fauna of Qatar are unique and well adapted to the hot and arid environment. Qatar was the first country in the Arab region to breed the Arabian oryx in captivity. What started as a private hobby by one person was adopted by the State. Captive breeding is now a large and well run activity operating out of wildlife parks such as Shahaniya Wildlife Park and Ras Osheirij and Al Mas-habiyya.   

The Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Reserves (SCENR) was set up in 2000 with an aim to protect and conserve wildlife and their natural habitats. The council prohibits trading in or dealing with all elements of the endangered wildlife, either dead or alive. Hunting of wild birds and animals is also strictly prohibited within the boundaries of natural sanctuaries, islands, cities and villages. In order to preserve the resources of wildlife, on May 1, 2002 the council enforced the wildlife hunting law, which organizes wildlife hunting and designates the times and places where hunting is prohibited, as well as the techniques of hunting and the penalties for violations.   

Reintroductions
Reintroductions are one of the pillars of the SCENR's protected areas policy whereby captive bred animals, particularly Arabian oryx and Reem gazelle, are distributed to landowners who will take care of them under the guidance of the SCENR.   A number of reintroductions have taken place on publicly owned land where the release of wildlife needs to be coupled with extensive public information and surveillance to control any illegal hunting that may occur. Actual sale of some of the gazelle to Qatari citizens has already proved to be an effective method of controlling their numbers in captivity as well as sharing out the responsibility of caring for wildlife with the people of Qatar.   The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) promotes the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources and equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity in the State of Qatar.

(Courtesy: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and SCENR)

 

Reserves and Protected Areas

Shahaniya Wildlife Park
This area was one of the first to be established in Qatar for the captive breeding of Arabian oryx and gazelles and is located 40 km from Doha in the center of Qatar. It covers an area of 1 sq. km and has been developed as a tourist destination with a modern Visitor Center and administrative and veterinary facilities. It allows a close up view of wildlife.

Ras'Isheirij Reserve 
This reserve is located in the north-western part of the country and is 110 kilometers from Doha with an area of 8 square kilometers. It was opened in 1991. It includes a number of gazelles from the Arabian peninsula such as the addax, the Arabic gazelle (AI-Reem) and the oryx. They provide veterinary and nutritional care for these herds.  

AI Mas-habiyya Reserve
This reserve is located in the south-western part of Qatar and is 120 kilometers away from Doha with an area of 8 square kilometers. It was established in 1997 with the purpose of breeding resettling the oryx and Arabic gazelles (AI-Reem) in their original habitats. Therefore, a number of oryx were transferred to this reserve. As a result of this care, the number of newborn animals increased at the reserves from 34 in 1998/ 1999 to 85 in 2000/ 2001. 

Khor Al Udaid Protected Area
Commonly referred to as the Inland Sea it is located in Qatar's most southerly point and is the natural habitat of a large number of mammals, birds and reptiles that include gerbils, hedgehogs, snakes, foxes, iguanas, ospreys and scorpions. Khor Al-Udaid is a favorite destination for camping and picnicking in the cooler months and was declared a water sanctuary by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture in 1993 whereby all commercial fishing is banned. A UNESCO study found that the Al-Udaid wetland complexes have the potential to be enrolled in the Biosphere Reserve Programme.   

Ras Laffan Industrial City
Ras Laffan is composed of many micro-geologic profiles ranging from sand dunes to rocky mounds, salt marshes to swamps, and plains to valleys creating ideal habitats for a variety of wildlife such as birds, mammals, lizards, snakes, insects, scorpions and wild flora and their habitats. Ras Laffan is home to many endangered flora and fauna. Mangrove swamps play a very important role in stabilizing coastal areas, controlling seawater intrusion, producing nutrients and creating breeding grounds for a variety of fish and shellfish species which serve as feed for seashore birds.  

Marine Turtle Conservation Initiatives 
Ras Laffan Industrial City has initiated a programme to protect marine turtles including the identification of nesting sites on beaches and monitoring trends in nesting activity, ensuring long-term protection of nesting beaches, and increasing environmental awareness. In 1999-2000, based on the recommendation of this programme, the City erected a 6 km long sand/dirt barrier parallel to the northern beach to stop vehicular movement on the beach. It also cleaned the beaches of debris (timber, plastic, nylon ropes, glass and metal scraps), and set up continuous surveillance of the area to deter any egg poaching. Adults of both green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles were observed in the vicinity suggesting both species nest along the coastal areas of Ras Laffan Industrial City. Three adult Hawksbill females were observed nesting, and all other nesting activity was identified by track counts.


Al Safiliya Island Marine Protected Area
The island is about 1.1 sq. km in area and located 8 km north east of Doha. It is looked upon as an important tourist site for the future because it contains some of the best corals and marine life in Qatar.   

Others
Scientific Papers published indicated that in addition to improved fisheries management , intensive artificial reef programs would improve habitat availability and diversity helping to stabilize the ecology. Taking the lead , Occidental Petroleum Corporation contacted Reef Ball Development Group, sponsored the construction of artificial reefs and engaged the Qatar Scientific Club to manage the project. The artificial reefs (known as reef Balls) have an expected life of 500 years.

The New Doha International Airport will also be environmentally friendly with a new artificial coral reef and marine habitat created around the new facility. 

Qatar Petroleum has also taken steps towards the conservation of mangroves and sea turtles.

According to the coral reef study, Halul is an area where the most vigorous coral regeneration is taking place in Qatar.

Protected Area
Habitat, flora and fauna
Al Reem (Northwestern region)
 Limestone cliffs, mesas, wadis, sabkhas, gravel plains, coastal swampy mud flats and shallow sea waters rich in seagrass beds.  Ostrich and sand gazelle have been reintroduced. Fauna includes  hawksbill and green turtles, dugong, spiny-tailed lizard, ethiopian hedgehog, red fox and a large number of birds.  Vegetation includes Acacia tortilis, A. ehrenbergiana, Lyceum shawii, etc.
Al Takhira (Northeastern region)
 Largest mangrove forests in the country. Coastal wet land system, khawrs, mud flats, salt marsh, sabkha, coral reefs, seagrass beds, etc. Fauna includes over 130 species of birds, hawksbill turtle, hooded malpolon, spiny tailed lizard and 44 species of terrestrial insects.  The key plant species are Avicennia marina, Anabis setifera, etc.
Al Waseil (Eastern region)
 Gravel plains, sabkhas and coastal system. Fauna includes spiny-tailed lizard, red fox, a large number of bird species including long-distance migrants. Acacia tortilis, Zygophyllum qatarense, Lycium shawii, etc are among the flora. Reintroduction of Arabian oryx and sand gazelle proposed.
Khor Al Udaid (Southeastern region)
 A unique tidal lagoon inside an area of mobile  sand dunes. The landscape includes parabolic dunes, rowdats, wadis, mesas and sabkhas and the seascape covers coral reefs, seagrass beds, algal mats, etc.  Ethiopian hedgehog, red fox, sand gazelle, Arabian hare, and 98 species of breeding and migrant birds are among the fauna.  There are 41 perennial plants identified. Zygophyllum qatarense, Acacia tortilis, A. ehrenbergiana, Ziziphus spinachristi, etc are the key species.
Al Oraiq  (Southwestern corner)
Gravel plain, sand sheets, wadis, and mesa. Reintroduced sand gazelle, Arabian hare, a large number of bird species, spiny tailed lizard, etc are among the fauna found here. The vegetation consists of Acacia tortilis, A. ehrenbergiana, Lycium shawii,  Ziziphus spinachristi, etc.
Mas’habiya (Southwestern corner)
 The reserve is a fenced breeding facility for the native ungulates ie. sand gazelle, Arabian oryx, and ostrich.
Shahaniya (Central part)
 Fenced breeding facility for Arabian oryx and sand gazelle.

 

 

 

International Measures

Qatar is a contracting party to the World Heritage Conservation but has not designated any natural World heritage sites. It has signed (but not ratified) the Biodiversity Conservation, and is party to the Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of marine Environment from Pollution, and to the Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and the Coastal areas.

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