Doha: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) will participate in the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day today.

World Migratory Bird Day aims at highlighting the need to preserve migratory birds and their habitats by increasing awareness in this regard. 

Starting this year, according to the United Nations, the World Migratory Bird Day will be marked on Saturdays of May and October of each year, coinciding with the migration cycle, to organize events in all countries of the world at peak times of migration.

The State of Qatar attaches great importance to the environment and its preservation within the environmental development objectives included in the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Qatar is an important habitat for migratory birds in their journey in which they fly for hundreds and thousands of kilometers, along historical routes, to find the best available habitat and food. Qatar is a permanent home to around 300 species of birds.

The State also attached great importance to protecting wildlife and their natural habitats, and in this regard, it has established many conservation areas and natural reserves for the purpose of protecting and maintaining ecosystems and their components.

Al Karaana Lagoon has been added after its rehabilitation, as a new home for wild and marine life, providing a natural and healthy environment that includes different types of birds, swans and others. The lagoon also provides a green rest station and clean water for flocks of migratory birds that pass over the country.

Despite the desert climatic conditions of the State of Qatar, the long coastline of the peninsula provides shelter for all types of wading birds, from long flamingos to the smallest plover birds. Many species of bird cross the country twice a year on their migration route, especially after the establishment of many areas including wetlands, farms, parks and gardens, which have greatly increased the number of birds visiting the State of Qatar.

The migrating birds which pass through Qatar include streptopelia turtur, falco subbuteo, phoennicopterus roseus, anser anser, larus cachinnans, burhinus oedicnemus, buteo rufinus among many more.

SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR