Muscat – In commemoration of Oman Tree Day – observed on October 31 every year – more than 60 volunteers are coming together to plant more than 300 seedlings of wild trees in Adam, Dakhliyah governorate, in cooperation with Adam Municipality and Omani Sidr Association.

Abdullah al Mahrouqi, a member of Omani Sidr Association, said the plantation drive will commence on Friday. “Volunteers will plant a variety of seedlings, including indigenous species like sidr and ghaf,” he told Muscat Daily.

On October 19, the association organised an event to plant 400 wild trees in cooperation with Al Bashaer Club and Adam Municipality. Mahrouqi informed that the association will continue to launch similar initiatives to plant maximum number of wild trees possible in various governorates of the sultanate.

Founded in 2017, Omani Sidr Association has over 300 members in various wilayats who have distributed 1mn seeds and planted 30,000 saplings of wild trees. “The association aims to support afforestation, protect indigenous species of trees and establish nurseries to grow wild tree saplings,” Mahrouqi said.

The association raises awareness on recycling domestic wastewater for use in agriculture.

“We cooperate with government entities such as Environment Authority, the National Field Research Centre for Environmental Conservation at the Diwan of Royal Court, and Haya Water to plant saplings. I urge Omani youth to join us and participate in initiatives to increase green coverage in Oman. We are supporting the Environment Authority’s efforts in completing its project to plant 10mn wild trees,” Mahrouqi said.

On the occasion of Oman Tree Day, Dhofar Municipality will distribute seedlings among citizens and residents wishing to plant these from October 31 to November 4.

‘Dhofar Municipality, represented by the Department of Gardens and Afforestation, announces the distribution of seedlings at the municipal nursery in the wilayat of Salalah between 8am and 12pm on November 2,’ a statement said.