Environment Authority Hosts Workshop to Strengthen Biosphere Reserve Management in Oman

Muscat, Oman: The Environment Authority (EA) organized a national workshop titled “Man and the Biosphere Reserves” on Monday, aiming to enhance Oman’s capacities in managing its biosphere reserves. The four-day event was inaugurated under the auspices of Sheikh Hilal Said Al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah.

The workshop brings together representatives from government and private entities, members of the National Committee for Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Reserves, community stakeholders, and an international expert specializing in biosphere reserves.

The initiative follows the inclusion of the Jabal Akhdar and Al Sareen reserves in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, reflecting Oman’s commitment to aligning its conservation practices with international standards.

The first day featured introductory sessions led by Dr. Nabiha Mubarak, an international expert in natural systems and biodiversity, who discussed the concept, objectives, and functional zones of biosphere reserves, as well as their legal and administrative frameworks. She also highlighted successful regional and global examples. Eng. Majid Hamad Al Khanbashi, Nature Reserves Management Specialist at the Environment Authority, presented on the economic services provided by ecosystems.

The second and third days of the workshop will focus on practical exercises, including the development of management plans, stakeholder engagement, community involvement, and evaluation of field visit outcomes. Participants will also work on simplified templates for periodic UNESCO reports and address performance indicators.

The final day will include a field visit to the Jabal Al Akhdar Biosphere Reserve, where attendees will tour its core, buffer, and transition zones, followed by a dialogue session with reserve management and local communities to reinforce participatory management practices.

The workshop underscores Oman’s dedication to enhancing the management of its nature reserves, protecting ecosystems, supporting local communities, achieving sustainable development goals, and strengthening the country’s role in regional and global environmental initiatives.