MoECC launched the Wildlife Forums 2023-2024 which will highlight marine animals and plants in Qatar

The Wildlife Forums 2023–2024 were announced by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), which would promote marine life and flora in Qatar. The committee in charge of organising the forums said at a press conference that the first forum, which will coincide with the events of the Katara S'hail Exhibition, would be place on Thursday and will focus on wild hunting as a pastime and sustainable environmental protection. The forum's topic, "Hares, our sustainable heritage that should be protected," will emphasise the hare as one of the living animals that inhabits Qatar. In order to achieve Qatar's National Environment and Climate Change Strategy (QNE), particularly its second theme titled "Biodiversity," the organisation of the event, along with the selection of Hares as a slogan of this year forum, primarily aims to protect and conserve this species, according to environmental expert and engineering consultant at the MoECC Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, manager of the animal wildlife forum.

Dr. Mohamed bin Saif Al Kuwari, an environmental expert in the minister's office, Mohamed Ahmed Al Khanji, the director of the wildlife development department, and Mohammed Al Dahi, the head of the MoECC's public relations and communications department, were the main presenters at the news conference. The conference highlighted the significance of the forum, which will begin with the gathering of a group of professionals in the field of falconry and hunting. They explained that hares are an indigenous mammal with small populations that may be found across Qatar's natural areas, particularly in coastal regions and sand dunes. The forum will highlight international conventions and agreements relevant to hunting activities, ministerial rules and decisions regulating hunting activities, as well as the unwavering efforts made by the MoECC and other pertinent entities to conserve wildlife, the speakers noted.

The speakers emphasised that because these species and their habitats are such an important part of Qatar's legacy, it is everyone's obligation to protect them. This goes for both private citizens and government organisations. As the event will feature a variety of crucial panel discussions with the participation of public entities and civil society organisations to come out with significant recommendations and active visions in this regard, they indicated that the MoECC would like to propagate the culture of environmental sustainability among the individuals in the community to protect the local environment.