Green activities abound

By Zainab al Nassri — The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, on Sunday celebrated the Omani Environment Day 2017 in a big way under the theme, ‘Our Environment is Our Life’. The day comes in response to the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to show more interest in environment as the country marked its first Omani Environment Day on January 8, 1997. Now, it has become an annual celebration. The ministry is making every endeavour to raise public awareness and involve all sections of society for environment protection.

Several activities were organised in different wilayats all over the country. In the Governorate of al Buraimi, schoolchildren staged an operetta at Education Theatre. Both children and adults participated in activities such as environment discussions, environment videos, poetry and traditional dance.

Six workshops on recycling were held on the occasion, which saw participation from 100 teachers and mothers, and 50 children.

In Muscat Governorate, awareness lectures and cleaning campaigns for reserves such as the Qurum Natural Reserve were organised. Participants cleared weeds and toured the reserve.

Besides the beach cleaning drive, tours were organised to the Ghala water spring and an ancient falaj. An environment camp was conducted at the Higher College of Technology in cooperation with the Green Nest Team, a local team which raises public awareness on conservation of trees.

Activities in Musandam included a work camp on wild trees, an awareness expo and lectures, and a study on the types of environment wastes.

In al Batinah South Governorate, an open day was held at Al Hazm Fort, besides campaigns for clearing coral reef at Daymaniyat Island and planting of wild trees.

In al Dhahirah, a number of meetings were held with housewives and Omani Women’s Associations to clarify the community’s role in preserving the environment. Work camps were also held in cooperation with voluntary groups.

Environment competitions were organised in al Dakhiliyah. Discussions were held with citizens and residents on environment protection. A competition was organised to come up with art work using natural elements.

A contest was held in al Sharqiyah Governorate for drawing a “perennial tree”.

A cleaning campaign for Dahareez Bay was held in Dhofar Governorate in coordination with private sector and Dhofar Municipality. A number of wild plants were planted in the directorate with help from Indian and Pakistani students. In al Wusta, beach cleaning campaigns were conducted, besides cultural and entertainment activities.