Muscat – Environment Authority has announced an achievement in environmental conservation. Oman has obtained the official Ramsar Convention accreditation certificate listing Al Wusta Wetlands Reserve in Mahout as a Wetland of International Importance.

Prior to this, Qurm Nature Reserve and Al Ansab Wetland were designated as Ramsar Sites in 2013 and 2020 respectively. The new listing came within the framework of activities of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15), currently being held in Zimbabwe till July 31, under the slogan ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Shared Future’.

‘This international recognition crowns the efforts of the sultanate in preserving biodiversity and reflects its commitment to implementing international environmental standards to protect fragile ecosystems,’ EA stated.

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.

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. Additionally, 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 local and international laws to ensure the preservation and efficient utilisation of natural resources.