Muscat, 1 October 2024 – The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) successfully concluded the ‘Ad Dimaniyyat Islands Nature Reserve (DINR) Awareness Raising and Community Engagement Campaign.’ The five-month-long event aimed to raise awareness of about the reserve’s biodiversity and underline its ecological importance. Boasting a rich diversity of flora and fauna, the DINR comprises of nine islands along the coast of the Wilayat al Seeb and Wilayat Barka in Oman. It was designated as a nature reserve in 1996 to conserve turtle nesting beaches, bird breeding grounds, natural scenery and coral reefs.
The DINR is one of the region’s most important nesting areas for the critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) while the vulnerable green turtle (Chelonia mydas) also often nests on the island’s shores. The largest fish in the ocean, the endangered whale shark (Rhincodon typus), is also a regular visitor to the islands between August and November, although this can vary between years. The island’s cliffs and rocky areas provide ideal shaded places for birds to nest, such as the vulnerable sooty falcon (Falco concolor), the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and various species of terns.
ESO’s campaign delivered an overview of the DINR and the fauna and flora that commonly occur within the reserve. It also addressed the significant challenges faced, being a popular tourist spot, and what the general public can do to mitigate these threats. Awareness raising materials developed by ESO were also distributed. The campaign mainly targeted the local communities in the Wilayats of Bousher, Al Seeb, Barka, and Al Mussanah, given their coastal locations and proximity to the reserve.
ESO reached out to 1,387 individuals, including representatives of Wali offices, Omani Women’s Associations, fishermen, government representatives and students from public, private, and international schools. The Environment Authority (EA) rangers working at the DINR were also part of the campaign’s target audience, given their essential role at the reserve while representing the government.
“The United Nations refers to biodiversity as our most robust natural defense against climate change, and its preservation is a crucial aspect of Oman Vision 2040. We all depend on biodiversity for so many essential resources, including food, water, medicine, a stable climate, and economic growth,” explained Ali Al Rasbi, Community Engagement Consultant at the Environment Society of Oman. “The unique biodiversity of the Ad Dimaniyyat Islands Nature Reserve is essential in ensuring quality of life and environment for future generations in Oman. By campaigning at the local level, communities now play a bigger role in reversing the loss of its biodiversity and supporting and nurturing it instead. By taking small, local actions we can all contribute to the ongoing preservation and enhancement of Oman’s rich and unique biodiversity.”
To raise awareness about DINR and its ecological importance, ESO’s research team developed an infographic about the reserve in both Arabic and English, and a dual-language biodiversity booklet which lists the main terrestrial and marine species that can be observed on the island. The materials are all freely available on www.eso.com . ESO’s campaign and related endeavors align with the organisation’s broader aim to raise awareness of environmental issues and enable the general public in Oman to become more actively involved in the conservation of the environment and sustainable practices.
ESO underlines that visitors and tourists to the reserve must respect these animals and not disrupt them by touching or chasing them so that these species can continue to visit the islands. The campaign was made possible with funds raised from the Mongol Rally and Glowing Glowing Gone donations from Ms. Dana Sarhan.
ESO’s excellent track record for environmental success has been achieved throughout the years via education, awareness, and conservation. For more information on becoming a participant or supporter, please visit ESO’s website: www.eso.com.
About Environment Society of Oman (ESO):
The Environment Society of Oman was founded in March 2004 by Omanis representing different regions and many different professional backgrounds. ESO is the first of its kind in Oman and works by promoting conservation and environmental awareness in all sectors of society. In February 2009, ESO was accepted as a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and was chosen to represent environmental organizations from West Asia at UNEP. In June 2012, ESO attended the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (called the Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro as an officially accredited NGO as per the UN General Assembly’s decision (A/66/L/44).