Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada (centre), Assistant Undersecretary at the MME, with other officials during the press conference yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has announced that the winter camping season 2018-2019 will begin on November 1 where the citizens will be allotted spaces to set up camps at several locations along beaches and desert-lands under certain rules and regulations. “This year, spaces will be allotted at different locations throughout the country to set up 2,630 camps, 30 camps more compared to last year,” said Assistant Undersecretary for Environment Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada.
Al Sada was speaking at a press conference held at a Ministry building to announce the camping season yesterday. “The camping season will begin on November 1, 2018 and will continue until April 15, 2019,” said Al Sada adding that registration for booking spaces for setting up camps will start today by 8am, and will continue until December 31 or till all spaces booked.
Al Sada said that the applications will be submitted to the government service centers distributed in different regions of the country, in addition to the electronic application through the official website of the ministry (www.mme.gov.qa) and the ministry’s application on mobile phones “Oun”. He stressed the Ministry’s keenness on taking effective measures and steps to ensure the success of the season and the preservation of the Qatari environment.
“Past years witnessed a significant decrease in the number of violations and warnings, as well as a growth in the wildlife and the marine environment, which indicates the citizen’s awareness and cooperation with the ministry and their understanding of about the preserving the environment and the protection of its resources.”
Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada said: “To ease the online registration process, the applications will be received area-wise in three days.” He said that today, the registration will be open for the northern areas, such as Al Ghashamiya, Al Zubara, Sealine, Dukhan, Al Sarriya, Zekreet, Buruq, Al Naqyan, Al Kharrara, Asherij and Umm Al Maa.
“Tomorrow (Tuesday) the applicant can apply for the areas of Ras Matbakh, Aradh, Al Reem Reserve, Al Marrona, Fuwayrit, Al Mazrouh, Umm Alafaei, Al Hasham, Abu Dhalouf, Al Zubara, Al Udeid), while Wednesday the registration will be open for the areas of Rawdat Rashed, Rawdat Aisha, Al Khor, Al Waab, Emkitanh, Al Ghariya, Al Mafjar, Ras Alnouf, Al Aturiyah, Al Suna, Gharb Al Rayes,” he added.
He said that registration for each category will continue until the allotment of last camp in that category. He added that the rules and conditions to be followed for the camping season, including security and safety instructions, in coordination with relevant State organs.
At the press conference, a number of officials from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Ministry of Interior and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) talked about the preparations and the measures taken, the comprehensive and varied media plan in this regard.
They also discussed the electronic booking of the camp and how to pay the insurance amount of QR10,000, in addition to the rules and conditions of camping this season and a review of the security and the safety instructions to be followed, in order to ensure a perfect camping season, safe and enjoyable for all.
