New initiative set to revive wadis

Muscat Dec 18 - The initiative to revive wadis across the Sultanate was launched on Monday by the National Field Research Centre for Environmental Conservation at Diwan of Royal Court (NFRCEC).NFRCEC kicked off the second phase of ‘A Volunteer in My Community’ programme, besides launching the ‘Green Wadis’ initiative under the auspices of Abdullah bin Shaban al Farsi, Chairman, Administrative & Financial Affairs, Diwan of Royal Court. The event was attended by officials from the government and private sectors, deans of colleges and heads of research centres in Oman. In his speech, Dr Saif bin Rashid al Shaqsi, CEO of NFRCEC, said a record number of activities were held in the first phase of the programme. Launched in September 2016 in conjunction with Sharqiya University, the first phase saw 53 workshops, awareness campaigns and educational seminars. The second phase of the ‘A Volunteer in My Community’ will include participants from Sultan Qaboos University, Nizwa College and the International College of Engineering and Management. The programme, which will continue until Thursday, aims at preparing Omani youth in voluntary work in view of His Majesty’s vision that emphasises the importance of participation of all sections of society in preserving environment and its different elements. It also looks at raising awareness on environmental issues, supporting environment research, enhancing values of volunteering and boosting joint actions between government, private, academic, research and civil establishments. The ‘Green Wadis’ initiative, which targets all wadis, is being conducted in collaboration with 19 organisations. It will begin on Thursday through plantation of 600 seedlings of wild Omani trees in Wadi Al Ansab, Bausher, as a first step. Al Shaqsi said the initiative was adopted by the NFRCEC’s officials who observed during field visits that wadis were depleting and its wild plants withering despite the availability of water, soil and climate. “Wadis have lost the green cover as well as their role as biodiversity incubators for flora and fauna. Our goal is to revive wadis and glorify their environmental, human, touristics and economic roles,” he said. Zainab al Nassri — Photos by Faisal al Balushi