Doha - The latest UN Environment Report has included Oryx, Qatar's national animal, in its list of fast extincting species. The report has also stressed the need for initiating urgent action to protect the desert species.
The document titled "Global Deserts Outlook", was released early this month to mark the World Environment Day at UN headquarters. 'Global Deserts Outlook' is the first thematic report in the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) series prepared by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Other than Oryx, Gazalle, Arabian Tahr, Barbary sheep and the falconer's favourite prey, Houbara, are among other species of Arab nations figured in the list of UN's fast declining desert species.
The summary of UN document estimates that desert wilderness those areas where there are no nearly roads, will decline by an estimated 30 per cent by 2050. Creation of new roads, expansion of settlements and other infrastructure developments that concentrate around desert and mindless hunting are pointed out to be the reasons for the impact. Due to global climatic changes, world's deserts are undergoing dramatic changes, the report continues....
The report tracks down the history and astonishing biology of the deserts and assess the ecological changes they may undergo in the immediate future.
© The Peninsula 2006
