MUSCAT: An environmental activist in the Sultanate of Oman is trying to preserve Omani deserts as worthy of protection because they are full of biodiversity.

The activist Erica Cuellar Soto, a conservationist, said: “The arid regions of the Sultanate of Oman need just as much attention as any other natural space.”

The activist teaches students in the country how to assess biodiversity in the Middle East. The Sultanate of Oman is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in Western Asia, with mountain ranges, valleys, plains, deserts, rocky hills and coastal areas.

The Sultanate of Oman enjoys a geographical location which makes it an ideal home to various unique flora and fauna. Oman attracts millions of tourists every year and the government is fully involved in raising awareness of its natural wonders and ensuring the protection of its rich biodiversity. It must strive to ensure that people who visit the country understand the importance of the environment and preserve its natural diversity.

“I think this area deserves attention”, Soto said. “It is a very rich area, and we should not ignore it.”

Protecting wildlife and their natural habitats and preserving biodiversity in the Sultanate of Oman is critical. The government has included them in its priority development plan, as the erosion and depletion of natural resources will lead to great losses and will endanger the diversity of the country.

The local people believe that the beauty of nature must be preserved because it is a source of income for the country, and gives tourists an opportunity to discover and enjoy the unique charming nature. However, biodiversity in the desert environment in the Sultanate of Oman is under tremendous pressure due to the investment in oil fields, industry and to some extent, tourism.

The Sultanate of Oman is the first Arab country to establish the Ministry of Environment (now Environment Authority), which led to the development of a comprehensive law to protect the environment. It is also the first country to set up an international award in the field of environment, the Sultan Qaboos Award for Environmental Preservation.

In 2017, French newspaper ‘Le Monde’ ranked the Sultanate of Oman as the best tourist destination, and the World Economic Forum ranked it as the fourth-best tourist destination in the world. UN Environment agency works closely with the country’s Environment Authority to strengthen environmental, social and economic links and meet the challenge of integrated sustainable development.

The UN Environment agency also seeks to strengthen strategic partnerships with local authorities, civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to conserve unique biodiversity.

The Sultanate of Oman is responsible for managing natural resources and linking the environmental, social and economic dimensions to achieve sustainable development goals.