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Muscat – Sulaiman bin Nasser al Akhzami, Director General of Nature Conservation, has stated that Environment Authority (EA) will soon issue the final draft of the Natural Reserves Strategy.
EA recently announced three new nature reserves and plans to add more in different governorates this year, bolstering environmental conservation efforts.
According to Akhzami, the strategy encompasses policies for establishing, managing and evaluating the effectiveness of nature reserves. “Expansion of the reserve network is currently underway with fieldwork nearing completion. It is anticipated that a total of six new reserves will be established this year.”
He informed that the total number of nature reserves in the sultanate reached 30 following Royal Decrees issued earlier this month for establishment of three new reserves – Al Jabal al Gharbi Natural Reserve, Al Dhahirah Natural Reserve and Wahat al Buraimi Natural Reserve.
The new reserves, Akhzami said, show the significance of protecting endangered flora and fauna while promoting ecotourism. Al Jabal al Gharbi Natural Reserve, situated between North Batinah and Buraimi, covers an area of approximately 485sqkm. Its diverse ecosystem boasts 58 plant species, five species of mammals, including the Arabian oryx, 13 species of birds and various reptiles.
Al Dhahirah Natural Reserve, spread over 860sqkm in Dhahirah governorate, has rich biodiversity and is home to over 70 species of wild plants and numerous avian species, mammals – such as the Arabian oryx and gazelles – and reptiles, including the Arabian spiny-tailed lizards.
Wahat al Buraimi Natural Reserve, spanning across Buraimi, North Batinah and Dhahirah, is home to 80 plant species, 17 bird species, various mammals – including the Arabian oryx and red foxes – and reptiles.
In addition to establishment of new reserves, EA plans to offer seven investment opportunities for reserve development this year.
Ongoing awareness programmes and campaigns aim to foster environmental conservation and resource protection.
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