As part of its efforts to spread awareness on the importance of the national initiative to plant 10mn trees, the Environment Authority (EA) will hold a virtual seminar on November 4 from 11am to 1pm.

An official at EA said natural sites are subjected to various forms of degradation due to many factors such as urban development, random logging, overgrazing and climate change.

“So the Environment Authority launched the initiative to plant 10mn trees in January 2020,” he said.

The symposium aims to promote community participation in the initiative and will shed light on the importance of innovation and smart afforestation.

“The symposium will discuss a number of topics such as the objectives of the national initiative, the use of modern technology and plants suitable for afforestation in cities. The event will also discuss the contribution of the government and private sectors in afforestation and the contribution of NGOs, volunteers and various groups of society.”

It will be attended by some specialists from EA, Petroleum Development Oman, Haya Water, Omani Sidr Association, and local community contributors to the programme.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Omri, chairman of the EA, planted seedlings in the garden of the authority’s building on Sunday, in celebration of the Omani Tree Day.

EA has produced seedlings of alalan, sumr, sidr, shue, ghaf and talh trees, which can withstand difficult climatic conditions, at its nurseries.