MUSCAT: The Environment Authority (EA) affirmed that the Royal Decree on the Wildlife Trade Regulation Law specifies the priority that the Sultanate of Oman has set in terms of nature conservation and biodiversity protection and its efforts in combating invasive species which pose a threat to the environment.
The EA said that the Royal decree helps to reduce random activities and violations committed by smugglers and traders of endangered plants and animal organisms and combating illegal wildlife trade.
Once the Royal decree is put into effect, stakeholders should adjust their status in accordance with its provisions within 6 months. The Royal decree is in line with the realization of the goals of Oman Vision 2040 and will improve the Sultanate of Oman’s standings in international reports related to the preservation of wildlife, it said.
The law on regulating the trade in wildlife includes four chapters containing 24 articles. The first chapter includes definitions and general provisions. Article (3) states the establishment of a (Scientific Committee) to be formed by the EA chairman’s decision whereas its purviews and membership conditions are specified by the regulations.
Chapter two focuses on international trade and Chapter Three deals with the definition of powers to control violations. Chapter Four contains articles on penalties including Article (14) in the Penalties Chapter which states that anyone who imports or trades in invasive species shall be punished with a jail term of not less than one month and not more than one year and a fine between RO 2,000 and RO 5,000 or with one of these two penalties, the EA said.— ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
