Barka: Khor Al Sawadi, located in the Wilayat of Barka in the South Al Batinah Governorate, is well-known for its mangrove forests, locally known as Qurm trees, which make up one of Oman's most biodiversity coastal ecosystems.
These trees provide a thriving habitat for marine species such as crustaceans and mollusks, as well as a vital stopover for migratory birds due to their position along a global migration path.
Eng. Salim Said Al Maskari, Director of the Environment Department in South Al Batinah, stated that the Environment Authority is working tirelessly to preserve these trees, which are threatened worldwide by climate change. He mentioned that since the early 2000s, the authority has been running a national program to restore mangrove habitats throughout Oman, with Khor Al Sawadi as a significant concentration region.
These activities have resulted in a large natural increase and expansion of mangrove trees along the khors waterways, improving and preserving the local ecosystem. To ensure the long-term viability of this crucial habitat, the Environment Authority routinely checks the khor's ecological status through monitored programs.
The rehabilitation campaign, which began in March 2001 and lasted until January 2007, included technical surveys and the planting of mangrove saplings. During this time, around 100,350 saplings were planted, encompassing an estimated 88. 3 hectares of the khors total area of 232 hectares. This effort has made a substantial contribution to the restoration and preservation of this vital coastal ecosystem.
