Winter camping season to begin on November 1

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has announced that the winter camping season of this year will begin from November 1 and will end on March 31.
A total of 22 areas have been earmarked for camping this year. They will be backed by mobile network boosters and many of them will have solar powered mobile charges services for campers’ convenience.
“The Ministry will start receiving applications from campers from October 22 and the registration will be closed on December 31,” said Eng Ahmed Mohamad Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs at the Ministry, in a press conference at the headquarters of the Ministry yesterday. The Ministry has added many new services for campers’ comfort. “The online system for registration has been upgraded. Fort the first time, registration desks will be set up at commercial malls,” said Al Sada.
Al Sada said that registration will be available at Mall of Qatar from October 22 and at Villagio Mall from October 29 for a week. “The move aims at creating awareness among people about camping season and making registration easy for them,” he added. Eng Ahmed Mohamad Al Sada said that this year solar powered mobile charges services will be available at many camping areas and the Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Communications will install mobile network boosters at camping areas. Al Sada called for preserving the environment and the wildlife at camping sites and the importance of respecting the regulations for the safety of campers. “Fifteen camping sites will be at coastal areas while seven will be off the coast,” said Omar Salem Al Nuaimi, Director of the Environment and Wildlife Protection Department.
“Registration service will be available at many places rather than online. The applicants can register at one of the Environment Protection Department’s units in Al Shamal, Umm Salal, Kharitiyat, Al Rayan at Madinat Al Murrah, Doha behind Marriott Hotel, Al Wakra, Al Shihaniya, Al Mazrouah,” said Al Naimi.  Saleh Hassan Al Kuwari, Head of the Natural Reserves Department, spoke about the unique services that are available for the public at camping sites, while the Ministry of Interior’s Lt Col Yousef Mohammed Al Obaidli addressed safety and security measures during the winter camping season in coordination with community police, noting that police patrols will be available throughout the season. The ministry also issued 26 rules and regulation for camping. As per the rules, the applicants should be a citizens aged 25 years and above. License holders are prohibited from renting out their camping spaces for any reason.
The applicants are required to pay the security money within three days from the date of approval and start setting up camp within 30 days from the date of the issuance of license.
Eleven instructions have been also issued to ensure safety and security at camping areas. According to the instructions, there should be distance at least five meters between two camps. Energy saving lighting should be used inside the camps and the kitchens should be separated from the camps