Doha, August 09 (QNA) - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change issued its report on the achievements of the environmental sector during the second quarter of this year, reviewing its technical and administrative efforts to preserve the environment.

The report showed a notable increase in regulatory, technical and organizational activities during the second quarter. The number of laboratory analyses rose from 2,828 to 6,444, while permits and licenses increased from 3,376 to 5,729. Technical meetings rose from 603 to 1,039, and awareness events and activities increased from 18 to 78.

The report also said environmental sector departments carried out 1,666 field and inspection visits, received 83 reports, issued 561 warnings to rectify conditions, and recorded 29 violations. They also prepared 918 studies, reports and audits, organized 149 workshops and training courses, received 1,125 visitors, and conducted 2,882 customs inspections.

The Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department carried out 610 field and inspection visits, compared with 509 in the first quarter. It issued 143 permits and licenses, received 73 reports, issued 25 warnings to rectify conditions, and recorded 21 violations.

The environmental sector conducted 6,013 laboratory analyses, compared with 2,194 in the first quarter. These included 735 analyses under the monthly seawater quality monitoring program, 3,273 analyses under various monitoring programs covering coastal areas, beaches, soil and water outfalls, 606 analyses related to emergency reports involving sewage, water and sediment, asphalt spills and soil, and 1,399 analyses of emergency samples involving water and sediment, bacteria and heavy metals, and outfalls, bringing the total to 6,013 analyses.

It also prepared 574 studies, reports and audits, held 158 technical meetings, organized 75 workshops and training courses, participated in 44 awareness events and activities, and received 141 visitors.

For its part, the Radiation Protection Department carried out 223 field and inspection visits, compared with 100 in the first quarter. It also conducted 246 visits to update the database of radiation devices, while the number of permits and licenses it issued rose from 563 to 802.

The department conducted 542 customs inspections and cleared the same number of customs declarations. It also carried out 404 laboratory analyses, including 51 analyses to measure radiation concentrations in samples and 353 analyses involving radiation measurements for individuals.

The department also conducted 22 tests for personnel working in radiation protection, involving 91 workers, of whom 86 passed successfully. As part of efforts to strengthen technical cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Qatar is participating in 11 national projects under the program, with the involvement of seven relevant national entities.

The department also prepared 23 studies, reports and audits, and organized 55 workshops and training courses benefiting 800 participants from first-response teams across various entities.

It held 37 technical meetings, participated in six awareness events, responded to three reports and carried out the necessary measures, issued 12 directives for certain facilities to rectify their conditions, and received 95 visitors. (QNA)