Call to preserve environmental uniqueness

@kabeeryousef -

MUSCAT: Environmentalists and nature-lovers have called for protecting our environment and to contribute to further enhancing the landscape and to support our ecology.

Littering is a punishable offence and people visitors to holiday spots should keep aloof from dumping waste in public and avoid burning charcoal at the beaches and parks.

“The Sultanate of Oman is blessed with tremendous natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, and incredible biodiversity. It is our hope that the wider project and this dialogue initiative will inspire the public to actively participate in the protection of one of the most fragile parts of Oman’s natural heritage,” said Omar al Riyami, Board Member, Environmental Society of Oman (ESO).

As the country’s only environmental non-profit organisation, ESO has spent the last 17 years working to protect Oman’s environment through research, education, advocacy and conservation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Knowledge Exchange session held by OMINVEST with international attendees from the "Not Discovered Yet" documentary, which is the sequel of the "Oman in Focus" project by Maisa al Hooti, including Stefania Muller, Director and Producer, Oman in Focus; Dr Mansoor al Jahdhami, Acting Director, General Office for Conservation of Environment; Aziza al Adhoobi, Wetland Management Head Section at the Environment Authority (EA); and Omar al Riyami, Board member, ESO; Maisa said her goal with 'Oman in Focus' had always been to introduce to the rest of the world the natural wonders that Oman has in offer.

"I firmly believe that ‘Not Discovered Yet’ and the resulting documentaries will play an important part in promoting the Sultanate of Oman as an important wildlife destination”. It has been an immense pleasure working on our latest project with the generous support from Oman International Development and Investment Company SAOG (OMINVEST). Together, we share the common goal of promoting responsible tourism in Oman. By working with some of the country’s most esteemed conservation experts and wildlife researchers, we can establish Oman as a top ecotourism destination, which is in line with Vision 2040”, Maisa added.

“Not Discovered Yet” is a follow-up to Maisa al Hooti’s previous “Oman in Focus” projects launched in 2014 and 2015.

“The film team of “Oman in Focus” had the great privilege of filming and documenting the rare and beautiful natural assets of Oman. We shed light on many of Sultanate of Oman’s stunning creatures and the efforts it has put in place to safeguard their existence," said Stefania Muller, Director and Producer of the 'Oman in Focus'.

Showcasing Oman to the outside world will be carried out in two documentaries called 'Wild Oman' and a conservation story titled “Oman in Focus”.

"From its warm seas and pristine underwater reefs to its rugged mountains and stark deserts, the Sultanate of Oman’s diverse landscapes are breath-taking, and the wild creatures that inhabit them are as endearing as they are rare. For the first time, their vivid imagery will be brought to the world,” adds Muller.

The Knowledge Exchange session was organised by OMINVEST in partnership with “Oman in Focus” as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.

The dialogue which focused on environmental conservation, local wildlife resources, and the development of the Sultanate of Oman as a destination for eco-tourism, it served as a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise by international and local environmental experts with members of the local community, university students, academics, and environmentalists.

"I'm happy to be advocating for the environmental conservation efforts and the development of eco-tourism in the Sultanate of Oman along with “Oman in Focus”. The corporate purpose and support to environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices are highly regarded at OMINVEST internally and through our community-based initiatives," said AbdulAziz al Balushi, Group CEO, OMINVEST, adding that promoting the natural beauty and resources of Oman and encouraging dialogue around environmental protection would further contribute to the wider collective efforts in this area. -- ONA