1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Environment Authority, Oman (Env Authority) - Oman

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

2020

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

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.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

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.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

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.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	passive	The local community is among the targeted groups of the planting initiative. The initiative was launched on 8 January ( Oman's Environment Day" in order to highlight the importance of the initiative to local communities so that they can involve in planting trees, and to encourage similar and joint initiatives.
planning	passive	Appropriate and best planting sites are discussed with local people and this helps in identifying specific distribution and planting areas.
implementation	interactive	Involving in planting activities and rehabilitation of degraded lands
monitoring/ evaluation		Local people may report to the Authority any plant problems (pest, disease, or abiotic problems) so that the Authority may follow up and evaluate the situation, and try to diagnose the problem and find out solutions in order to prevent further similar cases.
field trips	passive	Joint field trip are conducted to see problems and solutions ( farmers + researchers) wherein traditional knowledge and local innovations are identified and may be used to enhance the planting process, if appropriate, and may be used in further researches.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

• those interested in the environment

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

different genders and ages

Form of training:

• public meetings

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

Workshops conducted in coordination with relevant authorities ( government, private, individuals) to discuss challenges faced during the implementation of the project and advice is given to overcome them.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, a little

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• ecology

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Some civil associations conducted initiatives within the framework of the large initiative to plant 10 million trees and requested financial support from the Authority for the planting requirements (such as plants, and tree protection fences). Water irrigation system may also be enhanced by this initiative. Logistic support may be provided as well.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Fostering synergies so that plantation process is more organized and can be coordinated under one umbrella.
Planting large number of trees can reduce pollution, restore ecosystems, rehabilitate degraded lands, and combat desertification.
Increasing public awareness on the importance of plantation and trees.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
lack of human, financial and water resources
Extensive follow up is needed to ensure that plants are well-planted by local community and placed in suitable environment where no developmental projects and human activities can hinder their growth.
invasive species and climate change

7.1 Methods/ sources of information