Khasab – Environment Authority (EA) signed a memorandum of understanding with Sohar Aluminium on Wednesday on supporting the ongoing national initiative to plant 10mn wild trees in the Governorate of Musandam.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) seeks to develop degraded land, safeguard biodiversity and augment green cover as a source of relaxation for society.

The MoU was signed under the auspices of H E Sayyid Ibrahim Said al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, by Musallam Mubarak al Mahri, Acting Director of the Environment Department in the governorate, and Ahmed Mohammed al Kharousi, GM of HR and Corporate Affairs, Sohar Aluminium.

According to the MoU, the company will meet the financial obligations related to the planting of 100,000 trees in the governorate, as well as any other direct consultancy services, based on agreed budgets and cultivation sites.

In January 2020, EA in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) launched the initiative to plant 10mn indigenous tree saplings in the next ten years. The initiative aims to improve plant cover and enhance natural resources, including grazing areas in depleted zones, besides raising awareness on the benefits of green cover, both to the environment and society.

It highlights the significance of society’s contribution to environment conservation and the economic potential of some species of local flora.

According to EA, the national initiative has been progressing well. ‘The process of cultivation of saplings has been going on in various governorates, and nurseries have been expanded and new nurseries established. These have been provided with seeds from a seed bank established for the purpose.’
ONA