Oman’s Environment Authority Launches Campaign to Protect Perennial Trees in Dhofar Mountains
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: Oman’s Environment Authority (EA) has initiated a comprehensive campaign aimed at safeguarding perennial trees from insect pests within the majestic mountains of Dhofar Governorate, Oman.
In collaboration with the Dhofar Municipality and the Nature Conservation Society, the EA has embarked on its tenth campaign, dedicated to combatting pests detrimental to the environment and the longevity of perennial trees nestled in the Dhofar mountain ranges.
The overarching objective of this initiative is to preserve the lush vegetation cover and ensure its sustainable growth, with active participation from the local community.
The inaugural campaign, initiated in 2020 in the Hashir area of the Wilayat of Mirbat, targeted the containment of pests affecting approximately 10 percent of infected trees. Talib bin Ali Al Abri, Acting Director General of the General Directorate of Environment in Dhofar Governorate, outlined the preventive measures deployed to control insect pests, particularly focusing on species such as figs, Taiq, baobab, mitan, and sagoot trees, which have been identified as most susceptible to infestation.
Al Abri highlighted the significance of various pest control methods, including the removal of dead branches, manual cleaning, and the application of non-toxic insecticides to safeguard tree health. Additionally, the use of limestone embalming on tree trunks serves as a protective measure against infiltration by insect larvae.
The tenth campaign, conducted in 2024, targeted over 1,000 trees across the Wilayats of Salalah, Taqah, and Mirbat, with projections indicating an increase to approximately 2,000 trees to be addressed this year.
Al Abri affirmed the EA’s commitment to implementing diverse measures aimed at the preservation and propagation of indigenous flora in Dhofar Governorate. These measures include the establishment of tree nurseries, protected cultivation operations, seed dispersal, and pruning to bolster the resilience of perennial trees in their natural habitat.
The EA’s concerted efforts underscore its dedication to environmental stewardship and the preservation of Dhofar’s rich biodiversity, ensuring the enduring beauty and ecological vitality of Oman’s mountainous landscapes for generations to come.
