Oman - Smahan's Mountain Nature Reserve

Smahan's Mountain Nature Reserve (JSNR) is located in the south ofOman (see the attached map). It has an approximate area of 4500 km², and was legally designated by a Royal Decree (R.D. 48/97) in 1997. It is now the largest protected area in the country. The reserve was established to protect wildlife in its natural habitats and to promote sustainable use of the natural resources such as wildlife-related tourism.

Oman - Cultural Landscape of Bisya & Salut and its Archaeological Remains

In the vicinity of Bisya, approximately 30 kilometers south of the historic City of Bahla, two major wadis converge – the Wadi Seyfam to the west and Wadi Bahla to the east. In combination with localized deposits of good agricultural soils, both wadis provided the water necessary for irrigation and enabled, therefore, permanent human settlements to develop. Extensive human settlement in this area dates back to the end of the fourth millennium BC and has continued through to the present, made evident by the large concentration of archaeological sites that still remain to be seen. The establishment of large settlements in the Bronze Age (c.3000-1300BC) and following Iron Age (c.1300-300 BC) would have required the development of locally adapted technologies to make the most of the combined hydrological and sedimentary resources. In addition to the availability of water and soil, the area also had an abundance of stone available for building, which was further supplemented by the local vegetation to provide wood for construction as well as fuel.

Oman - Bar al Hakman Proposed Nature Reserve

Bar al Hakman is situated at the south - eastern coast of Oman, approximately in the middle of the country’s coastline (see the attached map) . Bar al Hakman peninsula, so called after the Hakman tribe, is a huge plain. The mean altitude in most parts lies below 20m and increases inland but never reaches above 40m. Geologically the peninsula is composed of monotonous gravel plains, coastal and inland salt plains (sabkhas), large mudflats and some salt-water lagoons. The Ghubbat Hashish is a large, very shallow bay forming the foot of the Gulf of Masirah. The bay is approximately 15km wide and 25km long and opens southwards. In the northern part of the bay is the island of Mahut, a mangrove fringed island.

Oman - Al Hallaniyyat Islands Proposed Nature Reserve

The islands of al Hallaniyyat are located in the north east of Dhofar (South of Oman) and administratively under Wilayat Shalim and al Hallaniyyat Islands (see the attached maps). The proposed reserve consists of four main islands and a small island on the shape of two paramount called Shunais. Al Hallaniyyat is the biggest island among the other four and is occupied by 250 persons most of them fishermen. In this island there is an office for the Waliy deputy, a school, a health center, a power station, a desalination station and a fish factory. The islands are proposed to be designated as a nature reserve with the aim of conserving turtle nesting beaches, coral reefs and birds, and sustainable use of fish resources. The Coastline of the island is characterized by a large diversity of coral reefs, fish and turtles that visit the island beaches to lay their eggs. Moreover, dolphins and whales can be seen daily. In addition, al Hallaniyyat is considered a safe place for birds to lay eggs where their food is guaranteed.

Oman - Al Dimaniyyat Islands Nature Reserve

Al Dimaniyyat Islands Nature Reserve is an archipelago of nine islands along the coast of Wilayat al Seeb (Muscat) and Wilayat Barka (see the attached map). They are surrounded by rocks and shallow seas which lie only 16-18 kilometers from the coast and can only be reached by boat. The islands were designated as a nature reserve on 3/4/1996 with the aim of conserving turtle nesting beaches, natural scenery, coral reefs and birds, as well as promoting ecotourism.