Muscat: Oman is making efforts to get the Jebel Samhan reserve in Dhofar listed on Unesco's The Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), according to a senior official at the Ministry of Regional Municipality, Environment and Water Resources on Sunday.
"We have already submitted relevant documents for the Jebel Samhan reserve to be included in Unesco's MAB programme," Mohammad Al Kalbani, Director of Environment and Water Resources in the Dhofar region, told Gulf News on Sunday.
To strengthen its case the department is holding a three-day international workshop cum symposium. The event to be held in Salalah from Monday, is on Sustainable Development of Eco-tourism and Conservation of natural heritage and Biosphere Reserves.
Oman is hoping the meeting of the Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB-ICC), which will be held in Paris from September 18 to 20 will consider its request to include the reserves in the MAB programme.
The Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), launched in 1970, proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda and capacity building which aims to improve the relationship of people with their environment globally.
Jebel Samhan, the eastern mountain range in Dhofar, rises to over 1,800 metres. It is believed to contain Arabia's largest population of Arabian leopards.
Meanwhile, over 20 international speakers and eight Omani experts will throw light on the concept and importance of eco-tourism and conservation of natural heritage and biosphere reserves in the context of sustainable development.
"The workshop cum symposium will be a good learning process from the experiences of distinct and pioneer projects implemented in different countries worldwide in eco-tourism, conservation of natural heritage and development of biosphere reserves," said Al Kalbani.
He also said there would be discussions by experts on building capacities, developing human resources in eco-tourism and conserving natural heritage and biosphere elements.
Symposium
The symposium will also deliberate on designing a suitable site development strategy for the development and management of eco-tourism and natural heritage in Oman in general and in the Dhofar region in particular.
"The environment and its diverse natural resources form the backbone of the development and growth of the tourism sector and greatly define a country's progress in this respect," said Al Kalbani. He added it was essential to consider the environment as a top priority in strategic plans and studies and to make tourism projects compatible with sustainable eco-tourism to support environmental preservation and boost the socioeconomic sector.
"In Oman we have put in a lot of effort and workshops like these will increase the learning capacity of the Omani people involved in protecting biosphere reserves in the country.
"It will help us build experience and exchange views on how to manage ecotourism and conserve biosphere reserves," he said. On the third day the participants will pay field visits, including a visit to Jebel Samhan.
Did you know?
It's all about harmonious relationship
The purpose of the Man and Biosphere programme is to foster harmonious relationship between human beings and their environment.
The mission of the Man and Biosphere programme is to identify and share information on ways that man can enjoy economic prosperity without destroying the environment.
