Muscat: The Environment Authority in Musandam Governorate continues to implement integrated environmental programs and projects, leveraging the region's wealth of marine inlets (khors), beaches, and islands that host a rich biodiversity of marine and terrestrial organisms.
According to Oman News Agency, Salim Humaid Al Junaibi, Director of the Environment Department in Musandam Governorate, stated that the governorate is one of the most prominent environmental regions in the Sultanate of Oman due to its unique natural characteristics. The marine environment is renowned for its sandy beaches, winding inlets, and islands that support significant biodiversity, including marine mammals, turtles, and birds, alongside coral reefs of high environmental and economic importance.
He highlighted the challenges faced by the marine environment in Musandam, such as overfishing, oil pollution from tankers and cargo ships, and waste dumping into the sea. The Environment Authority addresses these issues by enforcing strict environmental laws and regulations. Efforts include conducting workshops, seminars, and lectures to raise environmental awareness, alongside cleaning campaigns for terrestrial and marine environments. Field studies and surveys are also carried out to monitor challenges and devise solutions for a sustainable environment.
Al Junaibi explained that protecting dolphins, coral reefs, and marine life is a priority. The Authority raises environmental awareness among the local community and stakeholders, including government entities, tourism companies, divers, fishermen, and educational institutions. Scheduled monitoring and surveillance programs using modern technologies, field patrols, and environmental research related to marine biodiversity are implemented to balance tourism with conservation.
Future plans to enhance environmental sustainability include continued cleaning campaigns in cooperation with relevant authorities and the local community, intensified periodic monitoring of environments, and scientific research on biodiversity. Plans also involve afforestation projects, enhancing environmental supervision over industrial projects, and implementing regulations to preserve wildlife.
The governorate is witnessing several ongoing and planned environmental projects, such as the "Tharwa" Project for coral reef rehabilitation, the Osprey Nesting Sites Monitoring Project, and various vegetation and wildlife projects in different Wilayats. Annual surveys of terrestrial and marine environments, inventories of wild and sea birds, and other biodiversity assessments are also underway.
Salim Humaid Al Junaibi emphasized that these initiatives aim to monitor, develop, and rehabilitate natural environments, preserve biodiversity, and enhance environmental sustainability to ensure a clean and safe environment for current and future generations in Musandam Governorate.