The International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa has not been ratified.

Qatar has an area of 11,437 square kilometres and lies in the middle of the Arabian Gulf in the dry desert zone. The average annual rainfall is 75.2 mm and the humidity varies between 45 and 95 percent. The main structural elements consist of sand dunes, Sabkhas, beach deposits and collovium depression ("rawda"). The surface is mostly dolomitic (limestone and marls) with some gypsum and anhydride beds in the lower parts. The landscape appears as a flat eroded land of low to moderate relief mainly ranging from 50 to 100 meters above sea level. All land in Qatar is desert or semi-desert.

Irrigated agriculture

All agriculture in Qatar requires perennial or complementary irrigation due to scanty rainfall. A land use scale for cultivation has been prepared. Grade l is cultivable land, Grade 2 is fairly cultivable, Grade 3 is marginally cultivable land until Grade 6 which is absolutely unsuitable.

Vegetative cover

The land is characterized by desert plant cover which can survive for long periods of up to tens of years. The total pastoral area is about 50,000 ha with a production of nearly 5,650 tons of dry material. These areas are largely rainfed. The plant groupings can be distinguished as:

a) Coastal subkha

b) Coastal area plants that grow in saline land

c) Roda: Samr (acacia tortilis), sidr (ziziphus mummularia) and awsaj (lycium showii)

d) Sand dunes group

Causes of desertification

Desertification factors in Qatar include the following:

Drop in ground water levels

The ground water reservoir has declined by 25 percent in the 12 years of a study period. In 1995, the total amount of water extracted for irrigation purpose amounted to 221 MCM. Most of the abstracted ground water is used on farms. A decrease in the available water for irrigation leads to deterioration and desertification of these farms.

Increasing salinity of ground water

Potable water is found at a depth ranging from 5 to 50 meters. The source of ground water is the Dammam Formation. The rate of abstraction is more than ten times the recharge. The quality of water has declined by 5 percent annually. An increase in the salinity is a result of sea water ingress and the flow of added salts (fertilizer) from the irrigation water to the ground water.

The salinity of the water in the southern parts of the country is higher than in the northern part. This has been successfully used in the irrigation of light textured soil.

Encroachment of sand on agricultural land

Sand dunes in Qatar cover about 1,500 square kilometres or about 13 percent of the area. Other sand formations cover 5 percent. The rate of movement of sand dunes in Qatar is about 8 km per year. Higher rates have been encountered in drier areas depending on the direction of the wind and the slope of the surface of the sand dunes. It has been estimated that 21,000 ha of agricultural and pastoral land has been lost due to wind desertification.

Please refer to the information provided under Chapter 12.

The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in 1996. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has not been ratified.

Development of natural life and its conservation is a priority for the State. However, illegal fishing and hunting coupled with modern sporting weapons has a direct effect on the survival of the biodiversity. It, therefore, becomes necessary to create awareness amongst the citizens. This should be backed up with enforceable legislation.

Achievements in the conservation of biodiversity

A national committee consisting of representatives from concerned agencies was set up in the Environment Department. Their mandate was to list out the items and an action plan for implementation. The work pertaining to different aspects of conservation is being carried out through different agencies.

Marine Environment

Surveys of aquatic ecosystems have been carried out. These include the following:

Biodiversity in the areas of natural and planted mangroves (avicennia morina) and sabkhas, 1996

Locations and range of pearl oysters in Qatari waters.

A preliminary study of the Arabian Gulf fish in the aftermath of oil spillage during the Gulf War, 1990.

The state of fisheries in Qatar, 1980 to 1992

Relevant books by concerned agencies have been published:

Qatar University, "Common species of fish in Qatari waters", 1982

Department of Fisheries, "Qatar`s Fish", 1983

Qatar National Museum, "Qatar and the Sea", 1987

Some of the areas in which research is being carried out are as follows:

Diversity of marine organisms in the environment of coral reefs in Qatari waters and the effect of organic compounds on these

The effect of ban on catching shrimps on the restoration of their stocks

A biological study of king fish

Plant Environment

A laboratory has been set up in the Department of Agricultural and Water Resources for the culture of plant tissues. The following jobs have been done:

Reproduction of very high quality palm trees.

Conserving natural and indigenous trees.

Introducing species from places having a similar environment.

The results of the published research work cover following:

Plant Environment in Qatar.

Medicinal and toxic plants in Qatar.

Agricultural development in Qatar.

Sabkha plants.

355 plant varieties and 106 types of fungi have been identified. Research has been taken up on the following:

Grazing plants in Qatar.

Green cover in Haloul Island.

The State of Qatar is made up of the main peninsula. It also has a number of small islands. The coasts of the state, including the islands, extend for more than 700 km (approximately 23 percent of the coasts of the Gulf). The coasts have acute curves forming bays and capes such as Ras Laffan, Ras Rekn and Ras Ashirij. The State's coasts includes a number of environmentally sensitive areas, such as mangrove forests and coastal coral reefs. These form a natural environment for a number of living organisms which are a national natural wealth.

Marine environment in the Arabian Gulf is considered to be of special importance. It is an important source of food. In addition, desalinated sea water is the main source (almost the sole one) of drinking water in the country. Due to human activities on land, it is a natural consequence that the marine environment has been subjected to a number of cases of pollution which has resulted in an environmental imbalance. This has affected aquatic ecosystems. This is particularly true because of the negative effect of unplanned development on environment, in general, and marine environment, in particular.

The coastal waters of Qatar are polluted from a number of sources. These include untreated industrial effluent, garbage from indiscriminate disposal by visitors to the benches and human activities in port areas. Oil spills due to accidents in exploration and transport is still the biggest source of pollution of the coastal waters. The State has taken a multi-pronged action in this regard. The steps include the following:

1. Integrated administration and sustainable development of coastal areas.

2 Environmental monitoring of the marine environment.

3. Using marine resources at the upper seas and sustaining these resources

4. Protecting the marine environment found in the State

5. The treatment of critical aspects in marine environment administration including the effects of climate change

6. Strengthening coordination and cooperation on both regional and international levels.

7. Promoting sustainable development of small islands.

Challenges

A large number of pollutants are discharged into the coastal waters which is a source of drinking water. Some of the pollutants discharged could have a tendency for bioconcentration, while others could from toxic products due to the reaction with other pollutants present in sea water. Discharge of ballast and other wastes need to be prevented. Enforcement of laws, both regional and local, needs to be backed with a programme of environmental awareness and education.

Future and long-term plans

1. Build a proper structure for monitoring the status of the marine environment with an appropriate laboratory. It is necessary to integrate the existing GIS in monitoring and modelling studies.

2. A system of enforcement needs to be established. Deterrent fines and punishment would have to be enforced on wilful polluter of the marine environment.

3. Emergency preparedness to fight accidents needs to be established. This would have a plan and a proper coordination and training for the concerned personnel of the relevant departments and agencies, particularly the Coast Guard.

4. Laws concerning ships with segregated ballast and facilities at ports for accepting and treating wastes need to be established and enforced.

5. Marine reserves need to be mapped and areas which are ecologically sensitive need to be preserved. This would require monitoring and support of properly equipped and trained technical personnel.

6. A continuous education and awareness programme requires to be carried out. While a lot is currently being done by the Environment Department, it is necessary to network with other departments and agencies which have the expertise in the field. For instance, the Qatar National Museum can do significant support work through its section on marine environment. A long-term coordinated programme with identified responsibilities is required.

Steps taken for water conservation and use.

Assessment of ground water reserves

All fresh groundwater in Qatar originates from local rainfall, except for the confined, slightly brackish water near Abu Samra which is believed to have its source to the west, in Saudi Arabia.

The country's reserves of fresh groundwater are concentrated in the northern part, where the fresh water body has the form of a lens that floats on saline groundwater, that is saturating a lower part of the Umm er-Radhuma formation. Laterally, it is controlled by sea water intrusion in coastal areas. Most of the water occurs in the Rus formation and in the upper part of the Umm er-Radhuma formation. Fractures, vugs and solution channels provide the principal means for storage and groundwater movement in carbonate aquifer.

The lens in the central part of Northern Qatar is about 80 m thick and diminishes towards seashore. The fresh salt water interface was detected at 120 m depth. The lens has been heavily overexploited.

Sources and reserves of potable water

Since 1954 the use of desalination has increased so that all demands for domestic and industrial water supply for Doha and its surroundings are met by desalinated water. Annual production capacity for desalinated water is presently 126 MCM/yr. Desalination plants account for approximately 96% of the total municipal (excluding irrigation) potable water production.

Water to the rural areas in the Northern Qatar, as well as to communities, is supplied by six well fields of 9,000 m3/d (2.5 MCM) of water annually.

The total available potable water storage in the country, in buffer reservoirs, ground tanks, elevated tanks, and water towers totals approximately 1.1 MCM. This represents approximately three days' supply based on average national consumption rate.

The total gross extraction of groundwater for irrigation purposes increased from about 44 MCM in 1972 to about 220 MCM in 1995. The abstraction for public supply increased from 4 MCM to 6 MCM in 1977 and then fell to 2.5 MCM at 1994 "which is met entirely from groundwater".

The existing policy is to supply potable water free of cost to the prime residence of all Qatari nationals.

Chemicals

The Department has streamlined much of the activities related to import of chemicals. This includes the following:

An inter-departmental Committee has been set up by the Environment Department for controlling imports and proper management of hazardous chemicals, including radioactive materials.

The Committee would look into fine specific areas. These are:

- Registration of imported chemicals

- Transportation

- Storage Handling

- Disposal

The requirements to be fulfilled by the importer have been derived from the UN and the International Maritime Organization.

Industries desirous of importing chemicals are required to fill out an application form. Toxicity data, country of import and storage facilities are some of the relevant information sought. The form has been standardized and the information is fed into the computer both industry-wise and also according to the chemical name.

Detailed rules pertaining to transport of hazardous chemicals have been framed.

Consumption patterns by the industry and its safety record are checked before issuing a new import permit to the industry.

Special regulations have been prepared for import and transport of radioactive materials. They are more stringent than those for hazardous chemicals. The rules cover transportation and monitoring of radiation levels.

Pesticides

A policy on pesticides has been laid down. It includes the following:

Highly toxic pesticides, which may affect animals and human, are avoided.

Persistent pesticides are avoided.

Pesticides are applied under close supervision.

Pesticides are applied at the right time to counter the disease.

The application during flowering and ripening are avoided.

Workers are given periodical medical examination which cover liver function and cholesterol enzyme levels.

Future and long-term plans

1) The present system of examination of import licenses needs to be further streamlined, particularly with respect to repeated applications.

2) A system of industrial inspection of storage systems for hazardous chemicals needs to be instituted. This would help in cutting down the possibility of accidents.

3) Certain chemicals are highly toxic or confirmed carcinogens. These need to be banned where safer substitutes are available.

4) The consumption rates for chemicals, particularly pesticides, need to be monitored closely so that excessive use is avoided. Also quantities of expired pesticides need to be cut down both from the wastage and disposal viewpoints.

5) Close links need to be forged with other GCC countries and UN-agencies, such as IRPTC, for exchange of information on use of toxic chemicals, precautions and their disposal methods.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal has been ratified in 1995.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Please refer to the information provided under chapter 19 and chapter 41.

Agenda 21, was agreed by the international community in Rio during UNCED in 1992. It was committed that developed countries would provide "new and additional financial resources" to help developing countries to achieve sustainable development. This was based on a political commitment by Heads of States and thus carries a moral obligation of the countries to achieve sustainable development.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

No information available.

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS:

No information available.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES:

No information available.

Qatar is at the cross-roads of economic development. Rational development and use of natural resources is the basis for any sustainable development programme. This is applicable for industrial processes and as well as in the daily consumption patterns and habits of citizens. Developed countries have already gone through the learning curve and their focus is on conservation. Primarily, the technology which would be used should be state of the art, low or no waste technology (LNWT). Large automobiles of the fifties and sixties have been replaced by highly efficient vehicles with high compression engines. The current trend is the development of automobiles on energy sources which are both renewable and also less polluting.

The requirements of Qatar in the future, therefore, are evident: selection of appropriate technology and conservation of natural resources. The implementation of environmental policies have to be done one step at a time in an economy in transition. The objective would be to have a good environment using the latest trends in science and technology. Just as the economic benefits are distributed between the State, local bodies, industry and individuals, so must the objective of sustainable development be met through the joint effort of all the entities. The formulation of policies is a function of the State and these have to be such as to promote economic and social development in order to hand down a clean environment to future generations.

STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION NETWORKS/SYSTEMS:

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Industry

provide advisory services to industrial organizations

offer expertise for feasibility studies on industrial projects

2. Agricultural and Animal Resources Research into:

the best irrigation methods

the best fertilization methods

production of high-yield crops

the constituents of desert and marine plants animal

animal husbandry and its economics

provide agricultural services

carry out other agricultural projects

3. Natural Resources and Ecology

carry out appropriate research

draw up policy to enable the best use to be made of the resources

preserve the ecology from pollution

4. Water

research into Qatar's water table and into new methods of desalination

research into the most economical ways of using water

5. Energy Resources

research into the most economic ways of using water

6. Remote Sensing

cooperate with other scientific centers working in the field

carry out all possible research which is of interest to the different organizations of the State of Qatar

take all necessary measures to yield results in possible applications

7. Databank

Set up a data bank for the collection and storage of knowledge

Make statistics available to authorities

Increasing public awareness

There are three routes in this mission for reaching out to the people.

Using the resources of the Environment Department.

Cross-linking with other organizations concerned with Environment, particularly Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Networking with countries in common projects at the regional or international level.

Programmes taken up by Department:

There are a number of such programmes conducted annually. Each of these targets a particular segment of society. The main focus, however are the school-going children.

Awareness programmes for children:

Each year a number of competitions, on environmental topics, are organized. They include

Painting

Photography

Essay

A number of exhibitions on environmental topics are held each year which include paintings, photographs and posters prepared by children. During these exhibitions, brochures and bulletins are distributed to the visitors.

Public Awareness Programmes

The following types of campaigns are held regularly:

Cleaning important streets of empty cans and bottles.

Protecting marine birds and turtles.

Cleaning beaches of litter using help of NGOs, such as the Qatari Boys Scouts.

Wide publicity is given to these campaigns in order to encourage participation.

Films have also been prepared for showing to schools or on the local TV channel. The topics covered are either cartoons on civic responsibilities like keeping parks and beaches clean or on subjects of environmental relevance to Qatar, such as, marine life, coral reefs, pollution and ozone depletion.

Programmes coordinated with other agencies

The Ministry of Education and Culture is a focal point which cooperates with the Environment Department for spreading environmental awareness amongst school children. The programmes consist of the following:

Conducting lectures for students

Forming groups for the protection of the school environment

Arranging competitions, such as plays, posters and bulletins.

Running campaigns to clean beaches.

Inclusion of environmental courses in the school curricula.

The local press helps in covering programmes related to the environment. Each month the local paper, "Al Sharq" carries a page dedicated to topical environmental issues with readers' contributions.

Radio Qatar transmits a 30-minute weekly programme giving environmental messages and news. It also conducts quizzes on important occasions, such as World Environment Day.

Qatar Television coordinates with the Environment Department for broadcasting important functions These include the following:

Environmental events, such as exhibitions

Beach cleaning campaigns.

Afforestation and tree plantations.

Inviting distinguished persons for live discussions on environmental issues.

Qatar TV had run 72 episodes of a programme on environmental issues from 1982 to 1989. It regularly broadcasts skits, cartoons and messages to increase awareness, in both young and old.

The Council of Arab Ministries responsible for Environment (CAMRE) have established a Steering Committee for raising environmental awareness of the people in the Arab countries. The mandate covers the following:

Studying attitudes of primary and secondary school pupils towards environment.

Organizing meetings on environmental education, awareness and information in Arab countries.

Furnishing all member countries of the Arab League with publications and studies issued by the different countries.

Conducting training sessions and media gathering and organizing work groups for raising awareness.

Holding annual meetings to follow up on the year's achievements.

Celebrating the Arab Environment Day on 14th October of every year.

The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (Kuwait):

The Organization located in Kuwait performs the following awareness raising activities in the field of the environment:

Supervising the execution of decisions and recommendations issued by the Council of Ministry (CAMRE).

Holding regional meetings with the aim of developing environmental awareness.

Presenting technical advice and financial assistance to the member states to enable them to implement environmental awareness programmes.

Preparing and distributing the organization's bulletin, brochures, publications, audio-visual aids, reports and documents related to environmental awareness.

Conducting specialized seminars and practical training courses in the field of pollution control.

The organization also plans contests on children's paintings on the theme of environment protection for the member states.

Preparing and organizing celebrations of the Gulf Environment Day which falls on the 24th of April.

The Center for the Affairs of Man and the Environment:

This Center, located in Riyadh, coordinates the meetings of the respective ministerial committees to bring into focus the situation in each member state in the GCC countries with respect to regional and international issues.

Reorientation of education towards sustainable development

The Education Ministry is responsible for all educational activities in Qatar at the primary, preparatory, secondary and tertiary levels including general, technical and religious and institutional needs. The Ministry provide facilities for literacy, adult education, cultural relations, skills training, career development, in-service teacher training. It is also responsible for public libraries, school health and school accommodation.