Workers cleaning Rakan Island. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
Doha
Rakan Island, located close to Al Ruwais port in Madinat Al Shamal, has undergone an intensive cleaning campaign carried out by the protection section of the Natural Protectorates Department under the Private Engineering Office, Arabic daily Arrayah reported on Tuesday.
The campaign was aimed at preserving the natural environment of the island and preparing it for the next mating season of a certain species of turtle that lives and breeds there.
Rakan Island is also a good habitat for both local and migratory birds, in addition to wild rabbits. The island, spread across about 4,000sqm, is surrounded by a number of equally important isles.
The Department of Islands and Beaches at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP), took part in the cleaning campaign over three days with the participation of a group of 21 workers and a team leader.
Mohamed Rashid al-Kuwari, head of the isles unit at the Natural Protectorate Department, said Rakan is considered one of the most important Qatari isles with a high density of wildlife components.
The department had conducted similar cleaning campaigns too. Most of the refuse on the island were dumped by ocean currents, he added, according to Arrayah.