Oman

Plan for natural reserve in Musandam approved

 
The Environment Authority (EA) has issued an administrative decision (31/2023), approving the management plan for the National Natural Park Reserve in the Musandam Governorate.

The decision stipulated that work should be done in the matter of organising and managing the reserve in accordance with an integrated plan and the rules and regulations regulating it since the date of its issuance.

The decision also included a comprehensive annex to the management of the Natural Park Reserve in the Musandam Governorate from 2023-2027.

In June 2022, a Royal Decree was issued to establish the National Natural Park Reserve in the Governorate of Musandam.

The decree recognises the richness of Musandam Governorate in terms of the geographic and natural diversification and the tourism potential attractive to tourists from other countries.

The total area of the reserve is 1149.40 square kilometres, according to the surveys conducted by the Environment Authority in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Musandam.

The islands in Musandam Governorate are the key locations not affected by human intervention and are of high national and regional significance and a habitat for birds. The islands represent a natural museum and are formed of limestone and coral reef.

According to the EA surveys, the waters around the islands host various types of coral reefs, fungi and sea herbs that attract fish, green turtles and other sea creatures.

The surveys also affirmed the presence of rich wildlife including wild rabbit, hedgehog, lynx, mountain fox, red fox, wild cat and reptiles among others, while the survey on wild plants reaffirmed the presence of over 200 species of plants including rare and endangered plants.

The sea islands in Musandam Governorate also enjoy a rich vegetation cover.

Sea mammals, dolphins, whales, red foxes, wild cats and reptiles are also common at the islands of Musandam Governorate.

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