Al-Jazeera Academy kids learn about protecting nature from Pearl-Qatar expert

The ten year olds, who have been leaning about mankind's effect on the natural environment, received a visit from Peter Bolton, who is the Head of Environmental Protection and Control at United Development Company, developers of The Pearl-Qatar.

Mr. Bolton explained to the children what measures are being taken by UDC to protect the land and marine environment around The Pearl-Qatar, and how this vast new Island will be protected in future.

An avid Scuba diver when not working, Mr. Bolton described to the children how the waters and sea bed around The Pearl-Qatar are carefully monitored, as is the health and abundance of marine life in the area.

"Being invited to talk to the students gives us a valuable opportunity to not only discuss what we are doing to help protect the environment on The Pearl-Qatar, but it also helps students understand some very important environmental issues that they can help with," Bolton later said.

In particular, Mr. Bolton told the students that everyone - adults and children alike - can take responsibility for environmental issues such as littering, and the use and disposal of plastic bags, which can pose a real threat to the marine life.

Part of his presentation discussed how even a small plastic bag, casually tossed into the sea or on the beach, can become a lethal killer, endangering birds, turtles and other marine life. Looking like a jellyfish to a turtle under the water, or a bird overhead, once eaten it eventually kills the turtle or bird. As the animal decomposes, the bag is then released back in to the environment where it can float off and kill again.

Later, several dozen older students from the Qatar Academy were also invited to attend an environmental presentation at the Oyster, the Pearl's onsite Marketing office, and while there they asked many informed questions on the environment at The Pearl-Qatar.

Says an enthusiastic Peter Bolton: "Many people are now asking about The Pearl-Qatar and beginning to show a real interest in the environment in and around Qatar".

He added that with many large construction projects coming on line, it is reassuring to know that people are interested in what measures are being taken to protect the environment for the future.