Manama: Qatar's environment ministry will soon begin implementing a five-year strategic plan for proper environmental management, a senior official has said.
Rashid Al Kuwari, assistant undersecretary for environmental affairs, said that most of the issues highlighted for environmental sustainability have been prioritised starting from the most pressing for the country.
"Because environment is one of the four pillars of the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016, we are in the process of implementing all the four projects that come under the environment for the country," he said, quoted by Qatari daily Gulf Times.
The projects have been categorised based on themes identified in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016 (NDS) and include such as bio-diversity, water management, climate change and energy and air pollution.
"We have categorised those projects according to priority and themes and we will be implementing and launching them on priority basis over a five-year period."
The NDS aligns the growth of national prosperity to the realities of environmental constraints by establishing a programme of strengthening environmental management across economic and natural resource sectors.
The strategy sets out a framework for continuing economic growth that avoids penalising future generations.
The NDS will advance specific actions to conserve water, improve air quality, manage waste and protect bio-diversity.
Under the strategy, it is expected that water will be better conserved and protected from degradation, gas flaring will be reduced while expanded recycling will greatly improve solid waste management.
"Careful monitoring and regulation will protect vulnerable species and broadly preserve Qatar's natural heritage. Urban spaces, subject to intense construction over the past decade, will be healthier and more live-able as green spaces are added," the NDS says.
However, the document adds that the strategy for environmental management calls for interrelated actions. Setting specific targets, it establishes a comprehensive programme to preserve the quality of life for future generations.
