Doha: Mid-February to early March, when it’s not too chilly or too hot, is a favourable time to head to the beach. And when you're there, a stroll along the seashore is a chance to meet seashells of different shapes and sizes.
Drawn by the beauty of each shell, we tend to collect them and use them as decoration for our garden or aquarium. However, the Ministry of Municipality urges the general public to avoid picking up seashells from Qatari beaches.
"Leave what is intended to stay in nature," said the Ministry on its official Twitter handle, adding:
"It may feel harmless, but removing seashells from their natural habitat destabilises the coastal ecosystem, as they aid in preventing coastline erosion."
There are several reasons why we should leave the seashells on the seashore:
- Seashells are an important component of the shoreline as they help to stabilise the sand and protect the beach from erosion.
- Seashells play a critical role in the habitat and food chain of many beach creatures as they provide shelter and protection for small animals.
- Seashells enhance the appearance of the beach, thus taking them is taking away its beauty.
So, while picking up seashells from the seashore may seem like a harmless and innocent activity, it can actually have negative impacts on the environment. When leaving the beach, don't leave your trash behind but leave the seashells on the seashore.
