Private sector to help boost nature tourism in Oman

Muscat: Oman’s nature preserves are to be run by the private sector, in a bid to breathe new life into them as tourist destinations.
Suleiman Al Akhzami, Director General of Nature Conservation at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, said they are planning to hand over one of the protected areas to local or international investors with experience in operating in protected areas. “This includes the Qurum Nature Reserve in Muscat,” he said.
The handing over of the project to private companies is in cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, under the management of Tanfeedh.
“In the first stage of the Tanfeedh project, we will be working in one protected area, once we complete this first stage. We will then use this initiative as a model for the other 17 protected areas in the Sultanate,” a ministry official said.
This is being done to promote the economic diversification of the natural reserves of the country, without compromising the environmental balance, while creating a partnership that enables all sectors of society to contribute constructively to the development and conservation of protected areas.
The Qurm Nature Reserve is located in the Qurm neighborhood in the heart of the capital city of Muscat, facing the Oman sea at the foot of the Hajar Mountains.
The Qurm Nature Reserve is one of the few Omani mangrove forests, which was declared a protected area in 1975 (RD 38/75), and designated as a Ramsar site of international importance in 2013. Located in the heart of the city, it is an important site for several coastal species, both living on land and in the sea. The reserve also provides resting and feeding areas for migratory birds, as well as domestic birds.
Eighteen areas in Oman have been declared protected areas by Royal decrees.
These include Al Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, Ras Al Jis Turtle Reserve, Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, Al Saleel Natural Park, Al Wusta Wildlife Sanctuary, Jabal Al Akhdar Scenic Reserve, Al Wusta Wetland Reserve, Jabal Qahwan Nature Reserve, Qurm Nature Reserve, and the nine khawrs of Dhofar reserves (Khawr Mughsayl, Khawr Baleed, Khawr Sawli, Khawr Dahareez, Khawr Taqah, Khawr Rawri, Khawr Awqad, Khawr Qurm Al Sagheer, Khawr Qurm Al Kabeer).
The official also explained, with the announcement of the competition open to the private sector to operate the Qurm Nature Reserve, specific guidelines which will be provided to bidders seeking to manage activities in the protected area.
“The guidelines include specifications for green architectural and environmentally friendly principles to minimize their impact on the environment, ensuring that the main objective for the establishment of the protected area is for conservation and protection, and not to build complexes and hotels,” the official noted.