DOHA: A Flower Each Spring programme this year has its focus on the coastal environment with the selection of Sea Lavender, locally known as Qataf as the plant of the year, Dr Saif Al Hajari, chairman of the Centre for Environment Friends (CEF) has said.
The annual programme is organised by CEF under the patronage of H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, wife of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and chairperson of Qatar Foundation.
While announcing details of the programme, Saif Al Hajari said the campaign this year had an added dimension as it coincides with the Doha Asian Games. For the first time, sports organisations and authorities in Qatar will also take part in the campaign.
Qataf, a plant with beautiful flowers grow on the beaches. It is known in the scientific name "limonium axillare", which comes from the Greek word for meadow and belongs to the "plumbaginacease" family.
The Flower for Each Spring campaign aims to create public awareness on environment and the rich floral varieties of Qatar, Hajiri said. He thanked Sheikha Mozah for the "great care and close attention" she accords to the programme. He noted that the selection of Qataf, a sea plant, has turned the focus from land to the sea, since most of the previous campaigns had focused on land.
Hajiri urged nationals and expatriates to support the campaign by using Qataf flowers for decorating their houses and offices. A variety of activities has been planned as part of the programme involving students, parents, schools and other organizations.
About 500 students took part in a trip to Ras Matbakh, north of Qatar, where they were introduced to the Qataf plant. The team led by Hajari himself comprised students from the Academic Bridge Programme of Qatar Foundation, Qatar Primary Private School, Wajba School for Girls and the Pakistan Education Centre.
More visits will be conducted to various coastal areas with more number of participants, Hajari said. There is also a plan to plant Qataf saplings across the beaches in Qatar.
CEF has invited entries to various competitions being organised as part of the campaign.. The contests include essay writing, poem writing, story writing, painting, drawing and poster designing, all focusing on Qataf.
There will be separate events for students and elders. For essay writing, the medium will be English and Arabic. The well-researched pieces should be supported with pictures and references. All the entries should be original and fresh (not published earlier). A special committee will judge the entries and the winners will be awarded cash prizes and certificates at a ceremony to be held later this year, marking the conclusion of the programme.
The last date for receiving entries is May 10. Entries may be submitted at the CEF offices in Bin Omran from 8am to 12noon and from 5pm to 9pm or emailed at cefdoha@qatar.net.qa.
© The Peninsula 2006
