Muscat – The Environment Authority (EA) expanded its environmental monitoring capabilities through the use of drones and advanced field surveillance systems during an inspection exercise at Al Saleel Natural Park in Al Kamil Wal Wafi.

The fourth edition of the exercise, organised by the Environment Department in South Sharqiyah, aimed to improve national oversight mechanisms and enhance the operational readiness of environmental inspectors.

The programme focused on improving field inspection efficiency in line with environmental laws and regulations, and on reinforcing inspectors’ ability to verify compliance by individuals and institutions.

A central component was the deployment of modern technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles, GPS devices and trap cameras. Participants were trained in documenting violations, collecting geospatial data and preparing legally sound reports.

Mamdouh bin Salem Al Marhoon, Director of the Environmental Monitoring Office in South Sharqiyah, said the exercise underscored EA’s efforts to develop an integrated monitoring framework and raise field preparedness.

“Practical exercises strengthen the capabilities of inspection teams and enable them to utilise modern technologies effectively in environmental monitoring operations.”

Al Marhoon added that the programme combined theoretical instruction with field simulations to improve the speed and accuracy of handling environmental reports and violations.

Nizar bin Salem Al Fahna Al Araimi, Director of the Environment Department in South Sharqiyah, said the initiative enhanced the technical competence of specialists across governorates and affiliated centres.

He noted that South Sharqiyah hosts several ecologically significant sites, requiring trained personnel capable of addressing environmental challenges using advanced tools.

Training covered environmental legislation, emergency coordination procedures, environmental operations room protocols, GPS-based site documentation, drone-assisted surveys, noise monitoring systems and professional field photography.

The programme also reviewed the use of the ‘Wushq’ system for recording environmental data and violations, and examined wildlife hunting cases and other infringements, along with enforcement mechanisms under existing regulations.