With a view to supporting the effective and sustainable management of areas of environmental, natural and cultural significance, the strategy proposes the establishment of Special Planning Zones (SPZs) – terrestrial, coastal and marine.
It explained: “To ensure that the environment in general and areas and resources of environmental and cultural significance and sensitivity in particular (terrestrial, coastal and marine), are used wisely and are proactively managed and enhanced for the benefit of existing and future generations, with development integrated into and respectful of Oman’s natural environment and cultural heritage.”
Significantly, the SPZs seek to achieve a balance between environmental protection on one hand and the development process on the other. To this end, the National Strategy defines a new planning framework “that guarantees a higher level of protection for areas in which the interaction between man and nature has created a unique character over time, which has earned those areas a great natural and cultural heritage value”.
At least five such SPZs are planned for development by 2040. They include Nature Conservation Areas (NCAs), within the framework of Terrestrial and Coastal SPZs to protect high value terrestrial, coastal and marine environments. Part of the objective is to establish Cultural Conservation Areas/Cultural Landscapes.
Additionally, the initiative advocates the integrated management of all Oman’s coast through a Coastal Zone Management Plan, while a Marine Spatial Plan is proposed to support the development of Oman’s ‘blue economy’.
KEY TARGETS:
# Management Plans for existing Nature Conservation Areas (NCA) completed, approved and funded: Target 16 (up from 1 presently)
# New NCAs designated with Management Plans: Target 46 (up from nil presently)
# Coastal Special Planning Zones designated: Target 5 (up from nil presently)
# Identifying conserving diverse landscapes – designating Cultural Landscapes: Target 31 (up from nil presently)
# Area of Oman’s Exclusive Economic Zone designated as a Marine Conservation Area and under effective management: Target 10 per cent (up from 0.33 per cent presently)
# Managed Cultural Conservation Areas: Target 56 (up from nil presently).
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