Algeria and Qatar are strengthening their environmental partnership with the inauguration of the Qatari National Center for houbara breeding in El Bayadh Province. The new facility, opened by Qatar’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, will focus on the sustainable breeding and release of the African houbara, a bird species facing population decline. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to biodiversity conservation and tackling environmental challenges in the region.
Qatar Invests in African Houbara Conservation in Algeria
The opening ceremony was attended by key officials from both nations, including Algerian Minister of Environment and Quality of Life Kaouter Krikou, and Qatar’s Ambassador to Algeria, Abdulaziz Ali Al Naama. The center is a key component of the Qatar External Nature Reserves Office-Houbara Breeding Program, designed to bolster wild populations of the species through a carefully managed release strategy. According to the ministry, the project reflects the deepening fraternal ties between Qatar and Algeria.
A Collaborative Approach to Endangered Species
Dr. Al Subaie emphasized that the center represents a tangible outcome of constructive environmental cooperation. He stated that the project aligns with Qatar’s broader strategy for environmental protection, specifically the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2024-2030, which prioritizes breeding, rehabilitation, and release programs for endangered species. The initiative also aims to integrate Algerian expertise into the center’s management and operations, fostering long-term sustainability.
The houbara, a large terrestrial bird, holds both ecological and cultural significance in the Middle East and North Africa. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change have contributed to its declining numbers, prompting conservation efforts like this one. The program’s focus on the African houbara specifically addresses the needs of this subspecies, which faces unique pressures within its range.
Breeding and Release Program Details
The Qatar External Nature Reserves Office, led by Mohammed bin Nahar Al Nuaimi, has already made significant progress. The office released 2,000 African houbara birds in both 2023 and 2024, with another 2,000 planned for release in 2025, bringing the total to 6,000 birds. Al Nuaimi explained that 1,500 birds will be released annually into various Algerian provinces to strengthen existing wild populations.
Additionally, 500 birds per year will be incorporated into the breeding program at the new center. This dual approach – bolstering wild numbers and expanding the breeding stock – is intended to maximize the program’s impact on houbara conservation. The office continues to operate other specialized centers both within Qatar and internationally, adhering to rigorous scientific standards.
The project also incorporates international collaboration and expertise in environmental conservation. This ensures best practices are followed in the management of the center and the overall breeding program. The focus on scientific rigor is crucial for evaluating the program’s effectiveness and adapting strategies as needed.
Looking ahead, the success of the Qatari National Center for Houbara Breeding will depend on ongoing monitoring of released birds and continued collaboration between Qatar and Algeria. The long-term impact on the African houbara population remains to be seen, and future assessments will be critical to informing adaptive management strategies. Further expansion of similar breeding programs in other countries could also be considered, pending the results of this initial phase.
The program’s contribution to broader sustainable development goals, particularly those related to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, will also be a key area of observation. More details on the inauguration can be found here.