Riyadh: On Wednesday, the Environment Authority (EA) announced the initiation of a "Range Resting Project" in Dhofar Governorate. This announcement took place during the Environment Authority's participation in the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), which is currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The project was introduced at the GCC pavilion by Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority and Head of the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation at the conference.
This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute, along with local, regional, and international partners, as well as the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
The primary goal of the project is to establish a sustainable partnership aimed at preserving the green cover in Dhofar Governorate through innovative nature-based solutions that will help mitigate the effects of overgrazing in the western region of Dhofar (specifically Dhalkout and Rakhyout) from 2025 to 2030.
The project is anticipated to enhance the economic returns for livestock breeders by creating market opportunities for their products, including milk, meat, fertilizers, and various crops.
Additionally, the initiative aims to optimize water usage and protect soil health by implementing modern techniques that will benefit stakeholders in collaboration with strategic partners.
It is projected that the project will create 1,500 green jobs, improve the livelihoods of around 1,100 livestock breeders in the targeted area, and facilitate the reclamation of approximately 10,000 hectares of degraded land. This will be achieved through the establishment of an economic zone and the reorganization of the grazing system to promote mutual benefits and ensure ecosystem sustainability.
