Al Sharqiyah North launches greening project

MUSCAT: Al Sharqiyah North Governorate has launched the 'Green Legacy, Lasting Planting' greening project, the largest of its kind in the governorate, aimed at expanding green spaces and enhancing vegetation across its wilayats through broad participation from government entities, the private sector, civil society organisations, volunteer teams and local communities.
Mahmoud bin Yahya al Thuhli, Governor of Al Sharqiyah North, said the launch of the 'Green Legacy, Lasting Planting' festival reflects the governorate’s commitment to embedding environmental sustainability as a key enabler of development and quality of life, while transforming tree planting from seasonal campaigns into sustainable development practices.
He said the drive to expand green areas is aligned with national priorities and the objectives of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, as well as Oman’s efforts towards net-zero emissions and reducing carbon emissions. This, he added, would strengthen the ability of the governorate’s cities and wilayats to adapt to climate change, improve the urban environment and enhance resource efficiency.
“The impact of greening extends beyond the environmental dimension to create economic, social and tourism value by improving the urban landscape, creating more vibrant public spaces, enhancing the appeal of tourism and investment sites, and supporting economic activities linked to planting and agriculture,” Al Thuhli said.
He praised the awareness, initiative and active participation demonstrated by the people of Al Sharqiyah North in development programmes and initiatives, stressing that the community is the foundation for sustaining such efforts. He called on families, youth, government and private institutions, civil society organisations, volunteer teams and community initiatives to actively participate in the festival.
Shaima bint Nasser al Rasbi, Director of Services Development at the Office of the Governor of Al Sharqiyah North, said the official launch began in Al Qour area in the Wilayat of Bidiyah, while the initiative will reach its peak on October 31 with a unified and simultaneous tree- planting campaign across all wilayats of the governorate.