The Environment Authority Oman presented its most comprehensive review of environmental projects and initiatives to date, highlighting major achievements in afforestation, air quality monitoring, wildlife protection, and public awareness during the Tenth Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025). This review underscores the Environment Authority Oman’s commitment to transparent reporting and evidence-based environmental governance.
Massive Afforestation Efforts
Hundreds of thousands of trees were planted as part of the ambitious 10 Million Trees Initiative, a national program aimed at expanding Oman’s green cover and combating desertification. The initiative mobilized communities, government agencies, and the private sector in a coordinated effort to restore vegetation across the country’s diverse landscapes.
The program included the planting of native wild trees, the distribution of millions of seeds, and the large-scale restoration of mangrove forests along Oman’s coastline. These efforts contributed to carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and the creation of wildlife corridors connecting fragmented habitats across the Sultanate.
Air Quality Monitoring Network
The Authority established more than 60 air quality monitoring stations across the Sultanate’s governorates, creating a comprehensive surveillance network that covers 90% of the country. These stations provide real-time data on atmospheric pollution levels, enabling rapid response to environmental threats and informing evidence-based policy decisions.
The Naqi digital platform was launched to make air quality data accessible to the public and policymakers alike, representing a significant step toward environmental transparency and data-driven governance in Oman.
Wildlife Protection and Awareness
Extensive wildlife protection efforts included monitoring dozens of terrestrial and marine species through field surveys and camera trap networks. The Authority conducted over 203,000 field inspections for wildlife protection and recorded 4,721 environmental violations, demonstrating the scale of enforcement operations.
Thousands of awareness campaigns and seminars were organized to educate communities about environmental conservation, reaching hundreds of thousands of citizens. The Environmental Guardians initiative played a central role in community engagement, combining awareness-raising with on-the-ground enforcement to create a culture of environmental responsibility.
Waste Management and Recycling
Solid waste recycling reached 39% nationally, supported by 85 dedicated recycling facilities across the Sultanate. The Authority advanced circular economy principles through partnerships with the private sector, implementing extended producer responsibility programs and promoting waste-to-energy technologies.
Strengthening Environmental Sustainability
The combined achievements — from expanded protected areas and pollution monitoring to waste recycling and biodiversity surveys — demonstrate Oman’s comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability, aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. The Environment Authority Oman continues to set ambitious targets for the next planning cycle, reinforcing the Sultanate’s position as an environmental leader in the Gulf region.
Source: Oman Daily Newspaper / Hala FM (ONA)
Original Article: https://halafm.om/81482/
