Planting 10 million trees (Оман)

An initiative launched by the Environment Authority, in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman, to plant 10 million trees to preserve wild plants, combat desertification and participate in increasing the green area in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Environment Authority, in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman, has launched a national initiative to plant 10 million trees over ten years. The initiative is aimed at:

1. Improving and restoring biodiversity and protecting endangered species;
2. Creating a natural environment for endemic and migratory wildlife;
3. Providing fresh air and scenic views, and increasing the percentage of green spaces in the various governorates of the Sultanate;
4. Lowering temperatures and absorbing carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change and reduce pollution;
5. Increasing and improving the vegetation cover in the grazing and degraded natural areas, and reducing desertification in order to achieve a sustainable environment and natural resources;
6. Encouraging healthy lifestyles among people and improving indicators of quality of life in general;
7. Establishing investment opportunities for the local community and the private sector through benefiting from some species, both economically and medically;
8. Raising environmental awareness of the importance of the plants of Oman;
9. Enhancing partnerships between various sectors with regard to preserving vegetation cover in the Sultanate and promoting environmental sustainability.

The initiative includes collecting seeds, preparing nurseries, identifying planting sites, setting up a database for the initiative, and implementing an innovation and technology plan. The seeds were collected from several locations in different governorates, with a focus on the densely covered wild vegetation sites, such as those within nature reserves. Seeds are preserved and stored in coolers or refrigerators in the Authority's wild plant nurseries. The seeds are raised in the wild plant nurseries of the Authority. This initiative was implemented through partnership and cooperation between the authorities concerned with managing the initiative (Environment Authority and Petroleum Development Oman), the government , the private sector, civil society institutions and individuals.