Thursday 07 / November / 2024
Muscat: The importance of turtle conservation and the threats facing them will take centre stage at World Turtle Day, which will be marked by Oman and other countries around the world today(May 23).
It also aims to shed light on the best environmental practices, and the conservation efforts currently underway to protect them.
With Oman home to five species of turtles, World Turtle Day is of special importance to the country.
These include the Green Turtle, found on most Omani beaches and plentiful in Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Masirah Island and Ad Daymaniyat Islands, and the Loggerhead Turtle that nests on Masirah Island, the shores of Dhofar and Ad Daymaniyat Islands.
Apart from the Hawksbill Turtle can be found on the shores of Muscat and Ad Daymaniyat Islands, and the Olive Ridley Turtle nests on Masirah Island, the Leatherback Turtle is also found in the country.
The celebrations for World Turtle Day comes just a day after World Biodiversity Day, which falls on May 22 each year.
“This year’s celebration comes under the slogan ‘We are part of the solution’ as a reminder that biodiversity remains the solution to many sustainable development challenges,” said Oman’s Environment Authority as part of its awareness campaign.
“Oman signed the Convention during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) held in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and ratified it through to Royal Decree No. 119/94,” added the EA.
“In coordination with other competent authorities in the country, a national strategy and action plan for biological diversity has been developed.
“The procedures required of each party have been determined in accordance with the obligations contained in the international agreement, seeking to use biological resources in a sustainable manner, and to share its benefits in a fair manner,” added the government body.
