Muscat – The Al Wusta Wetlands Reserve, a crucial winter habitat for migratory waterbirds on the Asian-East African Flyway, has been recognised as the sultanate’s third Ramsar Site, which marks suitable wetlands for designation by referring to the criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance.

The Environment Authority on Sunday announced that the Secretariat of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has endorsed the reserve. Prior to this, Qurm Nature Reserve and Al Ansab Wetland were designated as Ramsar Sites in 2013 and 2020 respectively.

Situated in Mahout in Al Wusta governorate, the reserve is a vibrant mosaic of ecosystems, boasting rare biological diversity both regionally and globally. This makes it a unique site for biodiversity studies and sustainable wetland utilisation, especially in the intertidal zone.

Recent surveys conducted by EA, in conjunction with international experts, have revealed a surge in migratory bird visits, with numbers soaring over half a million during winters.

Remarkably, 23 bird species documented during those surveys were identified to exceed 1% of the total migratory bird population on the Asian-East African Flyway.

Spread over an area of about 214mn hectares, the reserve houses a plethora of ecosystems exhibiting high environmental sensitivity. From natural marine islands, bays, creeks, and coastal dunes to expansive landfills, salt flats, gravel plains, and wild grasses, the reserve is a repository of ecological riches.

The marine life too is diverse, inclusive of rare entities like the Arabian Sea humpback whale, along with other whales and dolphins. Moreover, the area along the coast of Mahout Island in Ghubbat Hashish showcases the largest undisturbed concentration of mangrove trees in Oman, covering about 162 hectares.

The reserve’s natural allure has the potential to draw nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and wildlife admirers, which can directly boost eco-tourism – a conduit to bolster the national economy through environmentally sustainable projects and investment opportunities, abiding by the local and international laws to ensure the preservation and efficient utilisation of natural resources.