Oman Aims to Plant 100 Million Trees Under Environmental Initiative

Vegetation Cover Improves in Oman as Tree Planting Expands

Muscat:  The Sultanate of Oman is witnessing gradual improvement in vegetation cover density, expansion of green spaces and enhanced sustainability of natural habitats through environmental rehabilitation and afforestation programmes.

The developments include improved biodiversity indicators, increased survival rates of planted trees, enhanced air quality and reduced effects of desertification and soil erosion, in addition to improved efficiency of coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove sites.

Dr. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maamari, Director of the Agriculture and Nurseries Department at the Environment Authority, said that the Authority relies on scientific and environmental indicators to measure ecosystem health and stability.

He explained that vegetation cover has improved in several areas due to afforestation and environmental rehabilitation programmes, although some regions continue to face challenges including overgrazing, urban expansion, water scarcity and climate change.

He told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Authority employs remote sensing technologies, satellite imagery, field surveys and geographic information systems to monitor vegetation cover and assess environmental changes and sustainability rates in afforestation sites.

Dr. Al Maamari affirmed that the Authority continues to review and update national plans related to combating desertification in line with environmental and climate developments and the Sultanate of Oman’s international commitments, particularly the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

He noted that the National Plan to Combat Desertification (2018-2030) focuses on protecting vegetation cover, restoring degraded areas, expanding afforestation programmes, improving sustainable management of natural resources and increasing water efficiency in environmental and agricultural projects.

The plan also includes strengthening environmental monitoring programmes, encouraging community and private sector participation and supporting nature-based solutions to address climate change.

He added that these efforts are aligned with the “Plant Oman 2050” project, which forms part of an integrated national vision supporting environmental sustainability, food security and climate action.

Dr. Al Maamari stated that the National Initiative to Plant 10 Million Trees, launched in 2020 and continuing until the end of 2025, recorded several positive results.

The initiative included the planting of more than 59 million wild tree seeds, over 856,000 wild trees and more than 11.3 million mangrove trees, in addition to distributing more than 652,000 trees.

Sustainability rates reached 76 percent for mangrove trees, 60 percent for planted wild trees and 86 percent for distributed trees.

He said that the initiative contributed to enhancing coastal ecosystems, increasing blue carbon stocks, strengthening community participation and supporting Oman’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Authority has also implemented projects including mangrove cultivation, rehabilitation of environmentally degraded sites, green fence projects, community afforestation campaigns and environmental monitoring initiatives using modern technologies.

Dr. Al Maamari explained that studies and field surveys conducted in cooperation with research institutions and universities showed improvements in vegetation cover and confirmed the importance of selecting local species suited to Oman’s environment and applying appropriate irrigation systems.

He added that the “Plant Oman 2050” project represents a strategic national initiative aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability, food security and climate action through integrated implementation phases.

The project includes several key pillars covering ecosystems, sustainable afforestation, food security, mangrove forests, green investment and sustainable governorates and cities.

He noted that the project aims to plant 100 million mangrove trees, expand fruit tree cultivation, increase local wild tree planting and support green cities and national parks.

Dr. Al Maamari stated that the project is expected to significantly increase green spaces over the coming years, improve ecosystem carbon absorption capacity, create green investment opportunities and jobs, and strengthen Oman’s regional role in environmental and climate initiatives.