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Oman's Dhofar nature reserves – protecting rare species and resources
By Dr. Hussein Shehadeh
Oman takes evaluates environmental factors whenever undertaking development projects.
MUSCAT, Oman — Oman attaches great importance to maintaining a healthy, clean environment and this focus has increased in direct response to the economic and social advances taking place in the country.
Today the environment is seen as being linked to Oman’s sustainable development and environmental factors are always evaluated when development projects are undertaken. All economic development initiatives must comply with the regulations on the protection of the environment and the prevention of pollution. This is considered vital for the health of present day society and for the wellbeing of future generations of Omanis.
A series of royal decrees on the conservation of the environment, the prevention of pollution and the protection of nature reserves and wild life, work in concert to ensure maximum defence of these important sectors. Following the promulgation of Royal Decree No. 55/2006, issued on 31 May 2006, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources was brought on board. This merging of the environment with regional municipalities has offered an opportunity for greater environmental co-operation between the government and the public. At the same time, the government has stepped up efforts to raise public awareness about the need to conserve Oman’s pristine environment by continually driving the message home via a series of campaigns in the media, schools and the annual Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources Month competition.
The Sultanate’s eight nature reserves were set up to protect the country’s wild life. While the reserves seek to protect a range of biodiversity some are best known for their flagship species, e.g. the green turtles at Ras al Hadd Turtle Reserve, the Arabian Oryx in the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, the Arabian Tahr of Wadi A’Sareen and the Arabian leopards of Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve. The Damaniyat Islands are important for nesting birds, hawksbill turtles and a rich marine life of the coral reef. The seven khawrs (bays) of Dhofar are listed as a single reserve seeking to protect wetlands.
The khawrs and springs of the Dhofar coast are valuable resources with an abundance of wildlife. In historic times some of these inlets provided safe anchorage for the ships, whilst the fresh springs feeding them enabled people to establish permanent settlements.
The khawrs contain large number of fish species, mainly the edible milkfish and mullet. These Species have a high tolerance to fresh water and can easily adapt to decreasing salinity. The wide range of salinity is reflected in rich vegetation. Reed-mace, with its preference for freshwater, is present next to mangroves with their tolerance of higher salinity.
One of the most important reasons for protecting the khawrs is their use by large numbers of migratory birds for food and rest during their annual migration. More than 156 species of birds have been recorded in these khawrs.
Traditionally the local people used these khawrs, with their lush vegetation and abundance of fish and birds, in a sustainable manner. They would water and graze their livestock there while the fish provided for additional fishing, especially during the monsoon season when the seas were too rough to allow safe fishing.
With the increase of people and their livestock in the area and the expansion of Salalah into a major city, it has become clear that some of the resources of the khawrs are threatened by over-utilisation. Hence, the Government of the Sultanate of Oman has decided to proclaim these valuable resources as protected areas.
A wide sandbar separates the khawr from the sea. The dominant vegetation of the khawr consists of schoenoplectus litoralis, present more or less continuously along all sides of the khawr. Khawr Mughsayl is a very important bird site among those of the western coast of Dhofar. The khawr was fenced for the protection of the vegetation and the management plan provides for the erection of bird havens. It also includes the planting of mangrove trees to enhance the appearance of the site for visitors. Allowing the local communities to cut fodder from the khawr only at certain times of the year provides for sustainable use of its plant resources.
Management of this khawr aims to protect its natural resources from the existing threats of overgrazing by keeping domestic stock. Limited development should be aimed at providing access for birdwatchers and to allow sustainable use of the fish and the grass.
The khawr was proclaimed for the protection of the very important bird breeding areas and migration sites in the reed-beds. The management plan provides for the partial fencing of the khawr and the eradication and control of invasive species. More than 80 species of birds have been recorded and there is a moderate diversity of fish in the water of the khawr. These healthy fish populations rely on regular connections to the sea via the sand bar.
A very famous archaeological site, the city of Baleed, is situated on the banks of this khawr.
This archaeological park is the first of its kind in Oman and will strive to combine its historical experience with enjoyment of the natural resources. The establishment of Al Baleed Archaeological Park has three fundamental goals. First and most importantly, it provides for the preservation of the natural resources. Secondly, it aims to develop an educational program to inform visitors to the site of the rich and varied history of the early settlers of the Salalah coast. Thirdly, it is intended that the site should become a major visitor attraction, further adding to the wealth of visitor attractions in the Salalah area. The plan represents an initial and conceptual approach that requires a significant amount of archaeological research and detailed planning. This important site is fenced for the protection of the ancient ruined city of Al Baleed. The species diversity is not as rich as in some khawrs and only two species of fish have been recorded.
There are other khawrs in the area, like Khawr Awgad and Khawr Tagah. They both provide shelter and breeding sites for large number of birds (more than 200 species have been recorded). The deep freshwater body supports a variety of fish and about 20 species have been recorded. Last, but by no means least, the most prominent khawr of all is in the Dhofar region is the Khawr Rawri.
Khawr-Rawri is the largest of the proclaimed khawrs along the Salalah coast, the reserve measuring 8.20 km2 in area, 2.5 km long, and up to 400 m wide. This scenic khawr is situated on the edge of the main zone of influence of the monsoon. Khawr Rawri is famous for the ruins of the city of Samharam, a very important archaeological site on the banks of the water. In the past the khawr and its surroundings have been used by local people to graze their domestic animals and the signs of severe overgrazing are still evident. The management plan proposed the protection of the khawr with a substantial area of land adjoining it. It allows sustainable use of the fish in the khawr and the development of some limited visitor facilities as well as the protection of all the archaeological sites. The recommendations included provision of an information centre at the archaeological site. The area is to be fenced and, as soon as there is a marked recovery of the vegetation, some indigenous wild animals will be introduced to enhance its attraction and to add to its educational experience. Khawr Rawri is very important for the protection of biodiversity. It is a very important bird site, with more than 100 species frequently recorded. The cliffs provide nesting places for birds, whilst the coast and freshwater body provide food. Mammals such as foxes have been recorded and turtles nest on the beaches. More than 20 species of plants and 11 species of fish are present there.
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