As a result of the continuous effort of the authorities, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of palm trees in Qatar, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment informed in a statement. During the period of 1991- 2016, the total number of date palms in Qatar has risen from 334,471 to 1mn, the Ministry said.
Viewed as a national treasure, Department of Agricultural Affairs, represented by the Department of Plant Protection and Quarantine, has attached much importance to the efforts to protect the trees from pest affliction. The pest control measures are aimed at protecting the plant resource and the environment as well, said the statement.