Qatargas supports ‘A Flower Each Spring’ programme

Qatargas today announced its support in the form of a financial contribution to ‘A Flower Each Spring’ programme conducted by the Friends of the Environment Centre (FEC) under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned.

During a brief ceremony held at Qatargas’ Doha Head office, Mansour Rashid Al-Naimi, Qatargas Public Relations Manager, handed over a cheque to Khalid Al Sheaibi, Public Relations Manager of FEC. 

Mansour Rashid Al-Naimi, Qatargas Public Relations Manager said: “We are very pleased to support the ‘A Flower Each Spring’ programme conducted by the FEC. Responsible environmental management and high standards of environmental performance is a key element of Qatargas’ corporate social responsibility programme. We are keen to participate in initiatives that promote awareness and protection of the environment and contribute towards sustainable development, thereby supporting the Environmental Development Pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Khalid Al Sheaibi, Public Relations Manager of FEC said: “We would like to thank Qatargas for supporting the ‘A Flower Each Spring’ programme that aims to increase community awareness on the importance of vegetation in protecting the environment from degradation and desertification. The programme also aims to build a positive attitude towards the natural environment among young people and develop innovative capacity and creativity in the fields of environmental development, especially among children.”

The ‘A Flower Each Spring’ programme aims at introducing the flora of Qatar in their natural habitats, to the local community, in order to be protected and grown well.  This year, a plant named “Ananasis Setifera” has been chosen of the programme.  The FEC will organise several activities including field trips and festivals focusing on this plant. 

‘Ananasis Setifera’, is an under shrub with many branches, covered with juicy leaves. The flowers are very small and appear in November and December. The halophyte (salt tolerant) plant grows in salt marshes along the shores of the Gulf, especially in the south-west regions of Qatar. The habitat supporting the plant has saline soil, usually not immersed in sea water.

Halophytes have immense relevance for the Gulf region and scientists are investigating the features and characteristics enabling them to tolerate and/or resist high salinity. Such research will help scientists to develop, through genetic engineering, genetically modified organisms which tolerate and resist salinity and thereby help put land with salt soil to productive use.

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