SALALAH, Jan 8 - Dhofar plays an important role in environment conservation in the Sultanate due to its richness in biodiversity and many other ingrained qualities that pave the way to support efforts to preserve the environment in all the governorates. This year’s main event marking the Omani Environment Day, which is observed in the Sultanate on January 8 every year, was held in Salalah at Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment on Monday.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. It evoked a good response as a large number of representatives from public and private sectors, schools, colleges and voluntary organisations took part and reiterated their resolve to save the environment.
Parts of the event were traditional dance, drama and recitation of poetries, all of which were loaded with the messages of protecting the environment. The celebrations to mark Omani Environment Day would continue for a month in different governorates and wilayats of the Sultanate. There would be conferences, workshops and community engagements to raise awareness among the people.
This year’s theme of Omani Environment Day is ‘Sustainable clean environment’. Two films featuring sustainable development and biodiversity of the Sultanate and a drama presentation highlighted the urban, rural and desert life in Oman. Importance of marine life and other environmental issues like overfishing, desertification and maritime pollution were also highlighted during the event.
On the sideline of the event was an interesting exhibition on environment in which a total of 12 government and private sector entities took part.
The day’s event was held under the auspices of Salim bin Aufit al Shanfari, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality.
A seminar on environment will take place on Tuesday at the same venue under the auspices of Najeeb bin Ali al Rowas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.
With a view to involving schoolchildren and making them aware of the importance of environment conservation, a drawing competition has also been scheduled, which will take place in one of the commercial malls in the city. There would be clean-up of beaches and coral reefs in Mirbat on January 15 in which Royal Oman Police, Dhofar Municipality, Civil Defence, volunteers and members of diving clubs would take part. A drive to plant native plants has also been planned on January 22.
Kaushalendra Singh
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