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The Sultanate of Oman marked the World Wetlands Day, which falls on 2 February each year, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance awareness of the importance of wetlands and their vital role in supporting biodiversity and achieving environmental sustainability.
This year’s celebration was held under the theme "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage."
The Environment Authority emphasized that this year's theme highlights the significant value of traditional knowledge passed down through generations in the conservation and management of wetlands. Such knowledge undertakes an active role in protecting biodiversity and strengthening the cultural identity of communities connected to these natural environments.
Wetlands are considered among the most important natural habitats for birds, particularly waterfowl and migratory species, as they provide suitable environments for feeding, nesting, and resting during seasonal journeys. Consequently, their preservation is an environmental necessity that receives prioritized attention at both local and international levels.
The event included a panel discussion that addressed the role of local communities and traditional knowledge in managing wetlands sustainably, in addition to honoring participating entities that contribute to supporting environmental efforts.
The celebration also featured a specialized scientific workshop that reviewed a number of projects and studies in the field of the marine environment. The workshop covered diverse topics, including surveys of marine mammals in the Musandam Governorate, the impact of climate change on coral reefs, mangrove trees and their associated microbial communities, human-wildlife interactions, and an analysis of the status of wetlands in the Arabian Peninsula.
The workshop concluded with several recommendations, most notably: strengthening the protection of wetlands and developing mechanisms for their sustainable management, and emphasizing the importance of partnership between relevant authorities and the local community in achieving environmental conservation goals.
It is worth noting that this celebration coincides with the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar Convention), which the Sultanate of Oman joined in 2012, reaffirming its commitment to protecting these critical ecosystems and conserving their natural resources.
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