Oman Sees Gradual Improvement in Vegetation Cover and Ecosystem Sustainability

The Sultanate of Oman is demonstrating a positive trend in environmental restoration, with noticeable improvements in vegetation cover and the overall health of its ecosystems. The Environment Authority reports that strategic afforestation and environmental rehabilitation programs are yielding significant results, contributing to the expansion of green spaces and enhanced ecosystem stability across the nation.

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The Sultanate of Oman is witnessing gradual improvement in vegetation cover, expansion of green spaces, and better ecosystem stability through afforestation and environmental rehabilitation programmes.

Dr. Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maamari, Director of the Agriculture and Nurseries Department at the Authority, highlighted that scientific data confirms these positive developments. These include increased vegetation density, the recovery of natural habitats, and the encouraging return of various wildlife species to several regions. Notably, mangrove ecosystems have shown remarkable progress, bolstering coastal protection, improving carbon storage, and increasing resilience against desertification and soil erosion.

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Scientific indicators show improved vegetation density, recovery of natural habitats, return of some wildlife species, and enhanced biodiversity in several regions across Oman.

Oman's commitment to environmental sustainability is further underscored by its national initiatives. The National Plan to Combat Desertification (2018–2030) and the "Plant Oman 2050" project, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the nation's carbon neutrality goals for 2050, are central to these efforts. The "Plant Oman 2050" initiative, in particular, aims to bolster environmental sustainability, food security, and climate action.

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He noted that mangrove ecosystems have shown significant progress, contributing to stronger coastal protection, improved blue carbon storage, and increased resilience against desertification and soil erosion.

The "National Initiative to Plant 10 Million Trees," launched in 2020 and ongoing until the end of 2025, has already surpassed expectations, planting over 59 million wild tree seeds and more than 11.3 million mangrove trees. The success rates for these plantings, particularly for mangrove trees (76%) and wild trees (60-86%), signify a substantial contribution to Oman's environmental goals. These efforts not only enhance biodiversity and coastal ecosystems but also raise public environmental awareness, aligning with Oman's ambitious transition towards net-zero emissions.

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The National Initiative to Plant 10 Million Trees, launched in 2020 and continuing until the end of 2025, produced strong environmental results.