The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) has been awarded a special grant from the British Embassy Muscat. The embassy invited bids from non-profit organisations who are delivering in-country projects focused on achieving long-term environmental sustainability. ESO is using the funds to support two conservation projects; Population Assessment of Frankincense Trees in Oman and Fishing Net Collection and Recycling on Masirah Island, which will be carried out over a period of three months.
“The UK, alongside our partner Italy, recently hosted the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) with world leaders to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, to protect communities and natural habitats,” said Bill Murray, British Ambassador to Oman.
“The Oman Vision 2040 has outlined Oman’s ambition for climate protection and sustainable development, and the British Embassy wants to support these aims by working with partners like Environment Society of Oman to deliver on green initiatives that will have a long-term sustainable impact in Oman, and beyond. The two chosen projects are more than deserving of these funds and we look forward to seeing the outcome of their valuable work.”
“Environmental degradation affects us all and we must all take steps to tackle it. As the British Embassy’s pledge shows, this is not merely a local issue; countries around the world are mobilizing all for a mutual cause: to preserve our natural environments,” added Her Highness Sayyida Tania al Said, ESO President.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we received to secure this valuable grant and would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the British Embassy Muscat for helping us ensure that we can continue to safeguard the future of Oman’s precious environment.”
The frankincense tree project, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Environment Authority and other local entities in Oman, and in partnership with Wageningen University and FairSource Botanicals LLC, is part of ESO’s long-running efforts to conserve frankincense trees in Dhofar. Over three months, the team will assess the initial health and distribution of wild frankincense (Boswellia sacra) trees across Dhofar. The team will attempt to map existing populations and estimate densities, and advocate for the conservation of Frankincense trees to government authorities, farmers, land holders, traders, and local communities.
Meanwhile, the second project is a new initiative designed to accelerate the recycling of fishing nets in Oman. It builds on years of work led by ESO to reduce the entanglement of marine and coastal wildlife in abandoned fishing nets on Masirah Island, an issue which has contributed to a 79% decline in nesting turtle populations over the last 30 years.
Conducted in partnership with Future Seas Global SPC and Wakud International LLC (part of the 44.01 Group), and in collaboration with the Environment Authority, be'ah, the Wali of Masirah and local Municipalities, it includes a dedicated net clean up initiative, followed by the collection, sorting, washing and palletizing of fishing nets from Masirah before shipping them to recyclers abroad. It also includes raising awareness about circular economy, sustainable fishing and climate change, and exploring fishermen incentive-based schemes.
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