Doha, June 16 (QNA) - Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to combating desertification and restoring degraded ecosystems as it marked the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed annually on June 17.

This year's global observance is being held under the theme "Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore", with Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change highlighting a series of national initiatives aimed at protecting land resources and strengthening environmental sustainability.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said the occasion reflects Qatar's commitment to the objectives of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and its support for international efforts to address land degradation and the effects of drought through sustainable natural resource management programs.

The ministry said Qatar's National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification 2025–2030 serves as the country's primary framework for tackling desertification and land degradation. The strategy includes programs focused on rehabilitating degraded land, protecting natural rawdahs, expanding vegetation cover, controlling invasive plant species and enhancing environmental monitoring systems.

According to the ministry, restoration and protection work has been completed at 76 rawdahs and natural sites covering a total area of 16.72 square kilometers between 2019 and 2026. Authorities aim to expand those efforts to reach 500 rawdahs and natural sites by 2030.

The ministry also reported the removal of more than 8,500 invasive ghaf trees since 2023, describing the measure as part of wider efforts to restore ecological balance and reduce pressure on water resources. In addition, 1,573 rawdahs have been documented and incorporated into an integrated national geospatial database to support environmental planning and conservation.

Director of the Wildlife Development Department, Khalid Al Mohannadi, said the annual observance provides an opportunity to showcase Qatar's efforts to protect its natural habitats and promote sustainable management of natural resources.

He said the national strategy is built around ecosystem protection, reducing the drivers of desertification and drought, restoring affected environments, supporting scientific research and innovation, strengthening environmental legislation and expanding national and international partnerships.

The ministry said it continues to work with government bodies, private-sector organizations and academic institutions on joint initiatives to rehabilitate natural sites, support vegetation programs and develop nature-based environmental solutions.

Head of the Natural Resources Section, Nasser Mohammed Al Nuaimi, said ongoing field programs have contributed to improving environmental conditions at a number of degraded sites and enhanced their ability to recover ecological functions.

Meanwhile, Head of the Wildlife Section, Adel Mohammed Al Yafei, stressed the importance of tackling invasive plant species as part of broader conservation efforts. He noted that the removal of invasive ghaf trees forms a key part of protecting native habitats and preserving scarce water resources.

The ministry added that advanced technologies, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, satellite imagery, drones and spatial databases, are increasingly being used to monitor vegetation cover and guide environmental restoration projects across the country. (QNA)