General Information » Environment » Environmental Issues

Oman is one of the world’s top 10 environmentally committed countries and is party to international agreements on biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, marine dumping, Law of the Sea, whaling and ozone layer protection. In 1984, it became the first Arab state to create a ministry dedicated to environmental issues; environmental protection laws have been in place since 1974. At the Earth Summit in 1989, Sultan Qaboos established the biannual Award for Environmental Conservation, the first Arab prize to be awarded in this area. In 1990, a new hybrid of rose was named in the Sultan’s honour, in recognition of his commitment to the environment and his support for human rights.

Various organisations have been formed to protect the environment, as well as to educate the people on the importance of environmental issues and the protection of human health. 2001 and 2002 were declared Years of the Environment. The 2003 Law on Nature Reserves and Wild Life Conservation reinforced Oman’s policies on biodiversity and environmental management.

The Sultan has always been committed to an extensive ‘greening’ programme of his cities. Highways are lined with colourful bougainvillaea, grassed areas, palm trees and flowers, all maintained by an army of workers who also pick up the litter on the roadside. It’s no surprise then that Muscat Municipality received the UN Public Services Award for cleanliness in June 2003.

The Sultanate aims to protect endangered wildlife species by establishing nature reserves, while working together with local communities to ensure their success. The turtle breeding beaches at Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz are protected sites, as are the Daymaniyat islands, which are a bird sanctuary to which entry is restricted during the breeding season. The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary on the Jiddat Al-Harasis is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Wadi Al Sarin, one of Oman’s oldest reserves, is home to the Arabian tahr, while Jebel Samhan in Dhofar is a refuge for the Arabian leopard. Saleel Park is a new nature reserve inhabited by gazelles and rare trees. Hunting and killing of any wildlife is strictly prohibited and carries stiff penalties.

Despite these efforts there are still some serious threats to the environment facing the Sultanate, such as groundwater pollution, rising soil and water salinity, desertification and beach pollution from oil spills.

For more information on environmental issues affecting Oman and what you can do to help, contact the Environment Society of Oman (www.environment.org.om).