MUSCAT: With the issuance of three Royal Decrees establishing three more nature reserves namely: Al Jabal Al Gharbi Natural Reserve, Al Dhahirah Natural Reserve and Wahat Al Buraimi Natural Reserve on Monday, the Sultanate of Oman will have a total 30 nature reserves.
The Environment Authority confirmed that these Royal decrees attach great attention to protecting endangered animals, plants and wildlife as well as preserving their components, diverse terrain and rich geological formations thereby creating a natural balance for the region and protecting the natural monuments and promoting eco-tourism.
Al Jabal Al Gharbi Natural Reserve is located in the north of the Sultanate of Oman, halfway between the governorates of North Al Batinah and Al Buraimi. It is an extended mountain range bordered by Wadi Al Jizzi to the south and Wadi Rajmi to the north. The nature reserve occupies an estimated area of 485 km2. Seventeen species of wild birds were recorded in the area which is also known for the presence of the Omani lizard.
Wahat Al Buraimi Natural stretches in the 3 governorates of Al Buraimi, North Al Batinah and Al Dhahirah. It is situated within the mountain range from North Al Shu’iya in the Wilayat of Ibri in Al Dhahirah Governorate. It is bordered by the village of Al Uqair in the Wilayat of Saham to the east, and the villages of Al Khad and Khadraa Al Makatim in the Wilayat of Sohar to the north and goes as far afield as the Wadi Saa area in the Wilayat of Buraimi to the northwest. The area is home to 80 species of plants, 17 species of birds, and some species of reptiles in addition to the Arabian ibex.
Al Dhahirah Natural Reserve is situated in Al Dhahirah Governorate, specifically within the mountain range extending from the south of Wadi Al Fath in the Wilayat of Yanqul to the Al Mazem area in the northwest of the Wilayat of Ibri. The Al Mazem area is one of the important habitats of the Houbara bustard amidst its migration in the winter season. This nature reserve occupies more than 860 km2. It is characterized with the presence of a mountain range interspersed by some of the governorate’s main wadis heading southwest up until the Empty Quarter desert.
The Environment Authority said that it has registered more than 70 species of wild plants and species of large mammals. The Arabian tahr, lynx, mountain fox, wild rabbit, and wild cat were also recorded in addition to wild birds and Omani lizard. — ONA
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