SHALEEM AND AL HALLANIYAT ISLANDS Shaleem: Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah is located in the heart of the mountains of the Wilayat of Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands in the Dhofar Governorate, 52 km from the wilayat and 12 km from the centre of the Niyabat of Al Shuwaimiyah. A large portion of the valley lies in Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve which makes it a haven for explorers and nature lovers.
Suhail bin Mohammed al Mishaikhi, an environmental systems specialist at the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, stressed the environmental and tourism significance of Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah, describing it as ‘a unique natural treasure with stunning terrain and mysterious caves that make it a distinguished destination for environmental tourism.
Among the most spectacular views of Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah is that of Ain Gharir which is also one of the most visited landmarks in the area. Ain Gharir maintains its tranquillity and beauty and is a natural haven for adventure and exploration enthusiasts especially as the bulk of the valley lies within Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve which gives it a distinctive environmental value thanks to its biodiversity that includes species of wild animals, birds and reptiles, Al Mishaikhi said, stressing the role of the Environment Authority (EA) in preserving this diversity by carrying out periodic monitoring, increasing awareness among visitors about the importance of preserving the environment and utilising modern technologies to monitoring and surveillance operations.
Al Mishaikhi added that Ain Gharir is one of the most beautiful landmarks of Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah and its waters stream from the tops of the mountain forming a natural lake surrounded by palm trees.
Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah is distinguished by its caves that attract adventure and climbing enthusiasts. The caves are decorated with amazing rock formations that have formed over the ages.
Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah is home to rare animals such as the Arabian leopard, the Nubian ibex, Arabian wolves, striped hyena, gazelles, honey badgers, foxes as well as rare birds such as the Arabian partridge and the spotless starlings. Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah also sees the passage of migratory birds such as eagles and the European stork which stop in the area for a short rest before continuing their long journey. Besides, Wadi Al Shuwaimiyah has a diversity of trees and plants such as Saffron, Frankincense, Samr, Ghaf and many more rare plant species. — ONA
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