Muscat: Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, but not at the expense of the environment.
In Dhofar, the grasslands are considered special as they come to life during the Khareef season under the influence of monsoon drizzle brought in by the Arabian Sea, influenced by the Indian Ocean.
In September, wildflowers bloom and then lie dormant until the next monsoon.
A land of camels and cattle, the grasslands have already faced the challenge of overgrazing. The population of grazing animals was controlled to restore the balance in nature.
The grass is delicate, and driving over it could impact its growth.
When nations are combating desertification due to climate change, one measure that can be taken is to avoid driving over the grass. Hence, regulations were put in place against driving or damaging the grasslands.
During the early years of the Khareef tourism season, visitors had the tendency to drive to picnic spots, leaving behind tire marks. Soon, balding patches became noticeable. Since then, the initiative has been in place.
This week, the Dhofar Governorate Police Command arrested a tourist from the Gulf region after a video clip circulated showing him drifting the vehicle and harming the green landscape environment in the Dhofar Governorate. Legal measures were taken against him.
Drifting in undesignated areas is an offense, and doing so over grasslands is against regulations. The green landscape is a major part of the attraction of the Khareef Season.
In the publication by the Anglo-Omani Society titled "Dhofar," Andrew Spalon writes in the article "Plants and Mammals," "Of Oman’s 1407 plant species, 867 are found in Dhofar, including 41 species of plants that are not found anywhere outside Oman." The species found in the south of Dhofar are influenced by the monsoon drizzle. Across the mountains toward the desert are the species found in other desert areas of Oman.
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