(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) A hardback book featuring the rich biodiversity of Irkaya, an area of arable farmland in the center of the Qatar peninsula, was formally released here on Sunday in a ceremony held at Ministry of Environment headquarters on the occasion and attended by high ranking officials from the ministry and by the team who produced the book. Minister of the Environment HE Ahmed Amer Mohammed Al Humaidi had handed a copy of the book to Minister of Culture, Art and Heritage HE Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari at the ministry of culture. HE Dr. Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, the Director of the General Directorate of Research and Agricultural Development and HE Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, the Assistant Undersecretary for laboratories Affairs and standardization attended the ceremony. The aim of the State of Qatar is to become an advanced society capable of sustaining its development and providing a high standard of living for its people. Qatar National Vision 2030, envisaged by the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is the blueprint for this, and environmental development is one. The biodiversity of this mall desert peninsula is far greater than appears at first sight. The purpose of the book is to create awareness among the people of Qatar of the remarkable fauna and flora to be found in just one small area in the heart of the country: Irkaya. At Irkaya, more species, of birds have been recorded than anywhere else in Qatar out of 315 species, 238 (76%) have been seen at Irkaya. Few areas on earth can claim to host such a high percentage of their country's out of the 59 species of birds that breed in Qatar, a large number breed at Irkaya. Among the birds recorded at Irkaya, 15 species are globally endangered. This includes the Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarious, one of the most endangered species in the world, and a winter visitor to the farm. Among the other birds present are the Saker Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Eastern Imperial and Greater Spotted Eagles, Pallid Harrier, European Roller, Socotra Cormorant, Ferruginous duck, black-winged Pratincole, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Semi-collard Flycatcher and Eastern Cinereous Bunting
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