About Qatar External Nature Reserves Office
Overview:
The Qatar External Nature Reserves Office was established in 2014 by Emiri Decree No. 30. The office reports directly to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
In line with Qatar Vision 2030 for comprehensive sustainable development and emphasizing the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's role in maintaining the ecological balance, the Qatar External Nature Reserves Office has made significant contributions both locally and internationally. Over the years, the office has collaborated with various international authorities to preserve natural resources and promote environmental conservation.
Within the framework of this cooperation, breeding centers have been established in several countries, most notably the Kingdom of Morocco, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Tunisia, and work is underway to establish breeding centers in a number of other countries. The office adheres to the highest scientific and technical standards in managing these centers, working closely with international experts in environmental conservation and biodiversity.
Functions of the Office for State Protected Areas:
Proposing programs and annual development plans necessary for the operation and maintenance of all State protected areas and breeding centers for the houbara bustard, as well as necessary procedures and actions for their approval.
Oversight of the State's protected areas, and breeding centers for the houbara bustard of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change located within or outside the State of Qatar, following up on their operation in compliance with the approved procedures, plans, and programs, and submitting periodic reports thereon.
Determining the needs of the State protected areas and breeding centers for the houbara bustard, ensuring their availability, and submitting reports thereon.
Preparing annual reports on work progress of the State's protected areas and breeding centers for the houbara bustard affiliated with the Office for State Protected Areas.
Centres:
Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding:
About the Center:
The Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding serves as the primary reference for all Houbara breeding centers overseen by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in various countries, as well as for farms within Qatar. Established in 2012, the center is equipped with the latest technologies for breeding, and its facilities are designed according to the highest international standards. The buildings provide an ideal environment for the birds, maintaining optimal temperature and humidity, and featuring an advanced lighting system that simulates the birds' natural habitat. This encourages an effective breeding cycle. The center's goal is to produce sufficient numbers of Houbara bustards annually, which are bred in captivity to be released and resettled in their natural habitats. This project is an integral part of Qatar's efforts to preserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and reinforce its position as a key supporter of wildlife conservation projects regionally and internationally.
Location: The center is located in Al Zubara area in the State of Qatar - District 332, Area 76.
Center area: The area of the Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding is 567,688 square meters.
Registration of the Center within CITES:
Reflecting Qatar's commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species, the Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding was approved for registration by the CITES Secretariat in Geneva on March 20, 2024. This registration in the International Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) database came after the center met all the necessary conditions and standards, earning it international recognition for breeding endangered species. This recognition enhances the center's standing globally and facilitates cooperation with international authorities focused on protecting wildlife, reinforcing Qatar's ongoing efforts to promote environmental and wildlife sustainability according to international best practices.
Terms of Reference:
The Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding focuses on protecting and breeding houbara bustard to preserve this endangered species. This is done through advanced scientific programs aimed at breeding and resettling the birds in their natural habitats. The center also prepares and implements sustainable plans for captive breeding, provides comprehensive veterinary care, and monitors the birds' health and behavior. Additionally, the center conducts scientific research and environmental studies to develop effective breeding and release strategies. It plays a key role in raising environmental awareness within the community by organizing workshops and educational programs to teach citizens about biodiversity conservation and encourage wildlife protection practices. By collaborating with local and international organizations dedicated to environmental preservation, the center enhances its positive impact and supports its mission to protect birds and maintain ecological balance.
Departments of the Center:
The Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding comprises several specialized departments that work together to achieve the goal of preserving endangered birds, particularly houbara bustard. These departments include:
Propagation in Captivity Department:
This department focuses on the use of advanced techniques for breeding and propagating birds within the center. It provides an ideal environment that simulates the birds' natural habitat, which helps stimulate the breeding process, ensuring high spawning rates and the production of healthy birds.
Veterinary Care Department:
The Veterinary Care Department offers comprehensive healthcare for the birds, including regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments to ensure their health and safety.
Monitoring and Evaluation Department:
The Monitoring and Evaluation Department tracks the status and behaviour of the birds through precise monitoring programs. It also assesses the effectiveness of breeding and reintroduction programs to ensure optimal outcomes.
Research and Studies Department:
The Research and Studies Department conducts scientific research and environmental studies to develop new, effective strategies for protecting endangered birds. It also tracks and monitors the behaviour of released birds in the wild, contributing to enhanced scientific knowledge.
Awareness and Education Department:
The Awareness and Education Department aims to promote environmental awareness within the community by organizing workshops, programs, and educational courses for those interested in Houbara bustard breeding, including private farm owners. This enhances citizens' role in efforts to preserve houbara bustard, a vital symbol of Qatari heritage.
Breeding Process:
The breeding process of houbara bustard is a seasonal process, as the breeding season begins from the beginning of September of each year until June of the following year, and the breeding process is considered one of the vital and main processes in the center, where deliberate and accurate steps are followed to ensure the success of breeding and increase the numbers of these endangered birds.
Stages Of Breeding of Houbara Bustard:
1- Stimulate males and females:
The process of stimulating male and female houbara for the breeding season is an essential and necessary step in ensuring the success of the breeding process, as this process begins two months before the start of the breeding season, as temperatures are gradually reduced to simulate the natural conditions of the breeding season of houbara bustard. The birds' diet is modified to contain a lower percentage of protein, which helps in their bodies perfectly prepared for rebreeding. In addition, the exposure periods are adjusted to match the length of the day as a simulation of the natural breeding season of houbara bustard in Wild and it is spring. The training process for males begins two weeks before the training of females to ensure that they are fully prepared when the breeding season begins, which enhances the chances of success in the breeding process and contributes to an effective increase in bird populations.
2 - Semen collection:
Semen from male houbara bustard is collected in a precise technical way when he tries to fertilize a dummy female doll (DUMMY) prepared for this purpose in preparation for artificial insemination.
The insemination program is coordinated in cooperation with the laboratory department, which performs the analysis following the approved programs and protocols with the aim of improving hatching rates andegg fertility.
3- Semen analysis:
Upon receipt of semen samples, they must be placed in a place where the integrity of the sperm can be maintained at a temperature of (37) degrees Celsius, after which the semen is analyzed and processed using advanced devices equipped with high-resolution digital cameras equipped for examination.
The internationally accredited HT CASA program for laboratory analysis records a series of images between 30 to 45 accurate images of the sample being analyzed.
Through the results, the degree of sperm concentration, motility, speed and morphometry information for each sperm are determined separately to determine the quality of the sample.
4- Semen freezing:
When there is an excess of semen, it is frozen using liquid nitrogen at a temperature of (196) degrees Celsius below zero, in order to preserve the fluid for a long period of up to ten years to benefit from it later in artificial insemination processes, where the tubes are filled using special chemicals consisting of an antibiotic and an energy source to maintain the pH and substances that protect the sperm from cooling damage, and when used again, the tubes are liquefied in water under (37) ° C for a minute.
5- Artificial Insemination:
After ensuring the readiness of the female to be inseminated by the insemination technician, the semen is placed in a special tube and then injected into the female houbara bustard using special medical tools.
The Artificial Insemination Team consists of 3 individuals:
- Insemination technician.
- First Assistant Technician who is responsible for holding the birds to be inseminated.
- Second Assistant Technician who is responisbale for preparing the necessary equipment for the procedure.
It is essential that the minimum time between semen collection and insemination of the female houbara is maintained to improve the chances of fertilization of the egg.
6- Incubation:
Incubation is a crucial stage in bird breeding, and this stage requires a delicate balance between human intervention and instrument performance. The process begins with the transfer of eggs to incubators, and the temperature and humidity are carefully adjusted to ensure the optimal environment for embryo growth. This involves careful monitoring of several variables, as each egg may require different conditions. In the early days, the egg pulse is checked for embryo vitality, and healthy eggs are then returned to incubators to complete development. During the incubation period, the eggs are swayed regularly to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed within them. This micro system helps in achieving greater success in hatching eggs and healthy chick growth.
7- Primary chick care:
At this stage, superior care is provided to the chicks to ensure their healthy growth and development. After hatching, the chick is transferred to specialized buildings that provide an ideal environment for its growth, by providing suitable temperatures and balanced humidity, and the rehabilitable chicks and rehabilitable chicks are sorted based on the breed and physical condition, and a diet rich in nutrients is provided for each category. The chick is regularly monitored by a team of specialized veterinarians, and each chick is given a ring with a number for ease of identification and tracking of the bird later , a special ventilation system is available to treat air circulation while maintaining both the ambient temperature and temperatures inside the cages and maintaining artificial lighting, and it is then transferred from the intensive breeding system to the semi-intensive breeding system until they gradually age, and then start from the stage of development to adulthood over time, after caring for them in the different departments.
8- Nutrition:
All that the bird needs from good nutrition is manufactured and provided during the stages of its life in addition to nutritional supplements amino acids enzymes mineral salts and proteins to strengthen it so that it can resist diseases and epidemics through feed breeding lines for houbara bustards including: Compound feed breeding line. Green fodder breeding line. Live feed breeding line. Birds should be fed on a daily basis using the appropriate food for each stage of houbara bustard's growth which has different proportions of nutrients protein and vitamins according to the bird's need.
9- Qualification and release:
Once the houbara bustard has completed all stages of primary care and rehabilitation, and reaches 60 days of age, it is ready for the final release stage. The birds are kept in external cages that simulate their natural environment until they are released into the wild, in accordance with annual release programs. A specialized system is used to rehabilitate the birds, preparing them for reintegration into the wild. The center also employs the latest international tracking technologies to monitor the birds for scientific research and studies, ensuring their successful adaptation to the wild.
The Center's Contributions to Educate Citizens on the Breeding Process of Houbara Bustard:
Rawdat Al Faras Center works to educate citizens about the breeding process of houbara birds by providing a range of educational events and programs, where the center organizes lectures and workshops for the public, and explains the processes of houbara breeding, how to care for and breed them, and the importance of protecting these endangered birds. Tours are also conducted within the center for visitors to closely observe the houbara production processes and the care methods used. In addition, the center distributes awareness materials and information leaflets explaining the importance of protecting houbara bustard and the efforts made to preserve it, as these efforts contribute to raising awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife and encouraging citizens to contribute to this national effort.
Role of the Center in Maintaining the Ecological Balance in the State of Qatar:
Rawdat Al Faras Center plays a pivotal role in enhancing the ecological balance in Qatar by protecting and breeding houbara bustards and seeks to preserve biodiversity by increasing the number of birds and releasing them into their natural habitat.
External Centers:
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria:
Qatar Center for Houbara Breeding in the Wilayat of Al-Bayad:
About the Center:
Qatar Center for Houbara Rebreeding was established in the Wilayat of Al-Bayd in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria in implementation of a joint agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Government of Algeria represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The center aims to promote biodiversity and protect endangered species. Engineering designs and technical studies were meticulously prepared in cooperation with environmental experts and consultants, and a contracting company was assigned to supervise the construction phases, which are currently reaching the fourth stage. The center is also being equipped with specialized devices and equipment, and qualified cadres are being attracted to start breeding as soon as it opens. In addition, a number of locally produced houbara bustards have been sent as part of annual release programmes, and work is underway to establish bird rehabilitation and release centres in several Algerian provinces.
Productive family: African houbara (Chlamydotis Undulata)
Location: The center is located in the wilaya of El Bayadh – southwest of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Area: The area of the center is (20,625) square meters.
Islamic Republic of Iran:
The Great Houbara Breeding Center in Sarjan:
About the Center:
The Great Houbara Breeding Center was established in Sarjan in implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding in the environmental field signed between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The project aims to protect endangered houbara, rehabilitate ecosystems, and achieve sustainable development of biodiversity. The project seeks to promote scientific research and studies, create job opportunities for local residents, and raise awareness among citizens about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Work is underway to renew the agreement and the executive protocol through recognized diplomatic channels , and work is underway to provide all necessary equipment to start operating the center, provide logistical means and train administrative and technical staff.
Productive family: Asian Houbara (Chlamydotis Macqueenii)
Location: The project is located in the Sarjan area of Kerman Province, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Area: The area of the center is (1,000,000) square meters.
People's Republic of China:
Xinjiang Falcon Protection and Breeding Center:
About the Center:
The Xinjiang Falcon Conservation and Breeding Center was established in Xinjiang Autonomous Province of Altai Region of the People's Republic of China and equipped with the highest specifications fornature conservation and conservation of endangered species, including houbara bustards and falcons.
The center aims to rehabilitate regional ecosystems and achieve sustainable development of biodiversity, and to improve the work of research and scientific studies and spread awareness among citizens of the concept of preserving wildlife and activating their participation in its conservation, as it was agreed between the two parties to enhance joint cooperation by adding houbara breeding to the center's activities, within the framework of developing the center to become an integrated facility for the rebreeding of these species and their resettlement in their natural environment. As A research project is underway with experts to track falcons using satellites, with the aim of creating a comprehensive database of their life in the natural environment.
Species produced: Falcons and Asian Houbara (Chlamydotis Macqueenii)
Location: The project is located in Xinjiang Autonomous Province of Altai Province, People's Republic of China
Center area: The area of the center is (1,000,000) square meters.
Tunisia:
A partnership agreement was signed between the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries of the Republic of Tunisia to establish a breeding and release project for houbara bustard in the Wilaya of Tataouine. The project aims to breed houbara bustards and release productive birds into their natural environment to restore ecological balance, promote scientific research, and build national capacities in wildlife conservation.
The agreement also seeks to create job opportunities for the local population in the Wilaya of Tataouine and raise awareness among citizens about wildlife conservation, encouraging their active participation in these efforts. Maps, engineering designs, and technical specifications for the center's establishment were prepared with the assistance of environmental experts and specialized consulting engineers to ensure the implementation of all the agreement's terms. These were submitted to a consulting engineering office to oversee construction plans, ensuring that the project complies with building standards in the Republic of Tunisia and suits the area's climatic and environmental conditions.
Several video meetings were also held in Tunisia to draft the executive agreements of the project and to start the procedures for approving the ratification of the agreement in accordance with the established procedures.
Productive family: African houbara (Chlamydotis Undulata)
Turkmenistan:
A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of biodiversity and wildlife conservation was signed between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the State of Qatar and the State Committee for the Protection of Environment and Natural Resources of Turkmenistan. This memorandum aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in protecting endangered species, rehabilitating regional ecosystems, and exchanging expertise in scientific research and environmental studies. Both parties also seek to implement joint projects that contribute to biodiversity conservation and natural resource development, with a focus on raising environmental awareness among local communities in both countries and ensuring environmental sustainability for future generations.
Kingdom of Morocco:
In implementation of the cooperation agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the government of the Kingdom of Morocco on cooperation in the field of conservation of biological diversity, wild animals and their habitats, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, represented by Qatar External Nature Reserves Office, supervises the following centres in the Kingdom of Morocco:
Houbara Breeding Center in Rashidiya
Falcon Breeding Center in Rashidiya
Houbara Breeding Center in Guelmim
The centers aim to produce sufficient numbers of houbara bustards and falcons annually, which are propagated in captivity taking into account international standards.
Productive family: African houbara (Chlamydotis Undulata)
Kazakhstan:
Within the framework of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Qatar External Nature Reserves Office has made significant efforts to preserve biodiversity and wildlife. The necessary measures have been identified to enhance the protection of endangered species and improve the surrounding environment. In collaboration with environmental experts and consulting engineers, the office has prepared maps and engineering designs to ensure their compliance with environmental and climatic standards in Kazakhstan. A memorandum of understanding and agreements are currently being drafted to secure the required licenses through diplomatic channels. Additionally, coordination is underway with construction companies and the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Kazakhstan to initiate the building of the center.
Republic of Uzbekistan:
As part of efforts to strengthen international partnerships, the Qatar External Nature Reserves Office has coordinated with the relevant authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan to preserve biodiversity and wildlife. They have agreed on measures to protect endangered species and increase the population of houbara birds through breeding and release programs in the wild. Coordination will also be established for the dispatch of locally produced birds from the Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara as part of the annual release program. This project aims to enhance ecological balance and preserve biodiversity in Uzbekistan.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan:
In line with the State of Qatar's commitment to strengthening international relations and expanding its efforts in biodiversity and wildlife conservation, the Qatar External Nature Reserves Office has intensified communication and coordination with the relevant authorities in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. These efforts aim to foster future cooperation in the preservation of endangered species, particularly houbara bustard, through periodic release programs designed to restore ecological balance in the region. An agreement has been made to release a number of locally produced houbara birds as a first step toward developing sustainable partnerships. Additional areas of cooperation are also being explored, including scientific research and the exchange of expertise in wildlife conservation, contributing to shared goals focused on biodiversity preservation and promoting sustainability in Afghanistan.
Special Projects:
Introduction to Special Projects:
One of the main objectives of the 'Rawdat Al Faras Houbara Breeding Center' is to increase the number of private farms dedicated to the production and breeding of the houbara bird in the State of Qatar. This aims to promote a culture of conservation and proper breeding methods for houbara through training, educational, and awareness programs designed to build capacity for their breeding and production.In light of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's interest in raising awareness among Qatari citizens who wish to establish a houbara breeding and production project, the following outlines how to set up private farm projects, along with the key elements required for their success.
Incentives:
The efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in this field included providing a comprehensive package of incentives and initiatives targeting citizens interested in establishing private projects the production and breeding of the houbara bird.
These efforts come in response to the visit of His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding, where His Excellency stressed the need to pay attention to the production and breeding of the houbara bustard bird and motivate citizens to breed and preserve it, as it is part of the system of maintaining the ecological balance in the State of Qatar.
Believing in the importance of the environment and its preservation and the need for the appropriate ground in society to take care of it, and desiring to enhance awareness among citizens to apply the principles of sustainable development, by working to achieve a balance between preserving heritage and clinging to national identity and working to develop endangered wildlife in general and houbara bustards in particular as one of the most important symbols of Qatari heritage, where work has been done to provide a package of incentives for citizens interested inestablishing special projects for the breeding and propagation of grain birds are as follows:
- Organizing training and educational courses for the breeding and rehabilitation of houbara birds.
- Providing proposals, models and unified designs for building and establishing a houbara breeding projects for all those interested in it, as these models were prepared and supervised by a team of experts specialized in this field.
- Providing consulting and medical services by experts and specialists in houbara breeding.
- Providing food feed and therapeutic materials.
Important Links:
Al Gannas Association:
Al Gannas Association
Al Janub Reserve:
Al Janub Reserve
Kurdistan Region Environmental Protection and Improvement Authority:
Kurdistan Regional Government | Board of Environmental Protection and Improvement
