Regeneration project enhances Masirah Island's ecological value
A new locally driven initiative is reimagining the future of Masirah Island by placing ecological regeneration at the centre of sustainable development. Positioned as one of Oman's most unique and underutilised tourism destinations, Masirah is now the focus of a pilot project exploring how natural capital can be restored while laying the groundwork for low-impact tourism opportunities aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
The Masirah Beach Regeneration Project — funded by the British Omani Society — is a collaborative effort between local and national stakeholders, including the Wali's Office of Masirah, Environment Authority, Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, Oman Botanic Garden, Environment Society of Oman (ESO), Ocean Ecology Network and Future Seas. The project showcases how community collaboration and environmental leadership can shape a more resilient and inclusive future for coastal areas.
Masirah Island is home to some of Oman's most biologically rich coastal ecosystems, with endemic plants, fringing coral reefs, migratory and resident bird populations, and four species of sea turtles — including the globally significant loggerhead turtle population. However, these natural assets face growing threats from unmanaged visitors' activities, urban lighting and beach driving, all of which put pressure on biodiversity and hinder the island's potential as a nature-based tourism destination.
'Masirah is a really special place for wildlife,' says Suaad al Harthy, Executive Director of ESO. 'But these are fragile ecosystems. Our research over the past 20 years has shown that nesting success is easily disrupted by light pollution, beach driving and unregulated tourism. The opportunity now is to reverse these impacts in a way that strengthens both the environment and the economy.'
Introducing the concept of regenerative tourism to Oman, the project aims to demonstrate how development can work with nature rather than against it. Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability — emphasising restoration, local stewardship and shared value creation across communities, ecosystems and future generations.
Nature-based solutions are a cornerstone of the pilot strategy. The team is assessing which beaches carry the highest ecological value and studying how native dune vegetation can stabilise sediment and shield turtle nesting zones from erosion and rising seas.
'We're conducting field studies to understand how local plant communities can be restored and expanded,' explains Dr Laila al Harthy of the Oman Botanic Garden. 'We're looking at propagation both on-site and at our facility in Muscat, and exploring how revegetation can complement the island's broader eco-tourism vision.'
The pilot phase is focused on a critical nesting beach on Masirah's east coast. Early activities include a landscape assessment and conceptual design for low-impact infrastructure — such as shaded picnic areas, interpretive signage, dune walkways and basic visitor facilities — designed to integrate into the natural landscape and enhance visitor experience without compromising ecological integrity.
'We're looking at how other countries have successfully implemented nature-focused tourism,' says Andy Willson from Future Seas, who has supported conservation work on Masirah since 2008.
Long-term community benefit and local leadership are essential pillars of the project. Stakeholders are engaging with community members throughout the process, envisioning a locally run model with beach rangers, eco-guides and conservation stewards all trained and employed from within the island.
The initiative also highlights a need for investment to strengthen waste management, protect fragile dunes and mitigate threats like light pollution and vehicle erosion. At present, visible impacts from fishing debris, unmanaged tourism and development pressures continue to undermine both ecological health and visitor appeal.
'Much of the value of these beaches is being unnecessarily lost,' says Andy. 'But we know that high-value tourist destinations thrive when their environments are pristine and protected. Masirah has everything it needs to become one of them.'
As the pilot progresses, the team aims to demonstrate a model that aligns conservation with tourism and community-led planning — not just for Masirah, but as an example for other sensitive coastal areas across Oman.
Richard Stanford, Chairman of the British Oman Society, adds: "The Masirah Beach Regeneration Project is very important for improving the ecological condition of the island which will help to boost responsible environmental tourism and grow the economy. Encouraging collaboration between local communities, environmental experts and national stakeholders, this initiative not only safeguards Masirah Island's unique biodiversity, but also unlocks its potential as a model for regenerative tourism in Oman. The British Omani Society is proud to support such important environmental work as we seek to support Oman Vision 2040."
Visitors are invited to support these efforts by respecting beach guidelines; avoid driving on beaches and vegetation, limit the use of torch and camp lights on beaches during the nesting season and leave no waste behind.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Early rains signal start of Dhofar's khareef season
Salalah, June 18 As much of the Arabian Peninsula sizzles amidst soaring summer temperatures, the southern Omani governorate of Dhofar is witnessing an entirely different phenomenon: light rains, mist-covered mountains and temperatures in the low 20s — all ahead of the official launch of the Khareef Dhofar Season on Saturday. Since Tuesday evening, several highland areas including the outskirts of Salalah, Qairoon Hiriti and Dhalkout have experienced light drizzle and cooler weather, with thick clouds rolling in across the mountains. Temperatures dropped to 23 °C in Qairoon Hiriti, while coastal areas such as Salalah, Taqah, and Sadah ranged between 28–32 °C, according to the Civil Aviation Authority's latest weather bulletin. The forecast indicates continued chances of scattered rainfall and low clouds across the Dhofar coast and mountains, driven by moderate to active winds and high humidity levels reaching up to 100 per cent in coastal zones. Sea conditions are expected to be rough, especially along southern shores. Unlike the rest of Oman and the GCC region, Dhofar experiences a unique microclimate each summer known as Khareef, caused by monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean. Between late June and early September, the governorate transforms into a lush green landscape with mist, cool temperatures and flowing springs — attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from Oman and abroad. Dhofar Municipality has announced that the 2025 season will officially kick off next week, with a 10–15 per cent expected rise in visitor numbers compared to last year. This year's edition includes upgraded tourism zones, expanded cultural programming and stronger support for Omani small businesses and artisans — aligning with Oman Vision 2040's goals for sustainable tourism and local economic development. With early rains already gracing the mountains, tourism operators, local authorities and service providers are working in full coordination to ensure a safe and seamless experience for all visitors. Key destinations such as Ateen Plain, Al Haffa, Mirbat and Taqah are being prepared with improved infrastructure, public amenities and a rich calendar of events throughout the season.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Creation of new job opportunities for citizens in tourism sector discussed
Muscat: The Media, Tourism, and Culture Committee of the Shura Council held its seventh meeting of the second annual session (2024–2025) of the tenth term on, chaired by Abdullah Hamad Al-Harthy. The session hosted Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, along with ministry officials, to discuss strategies for enhancing job localisation in the tourism sector and the establishment of integrated tourism cities and service stations for mobile homes. Al-Harthy welcomed the ministry representatives, highlighting the value of direct engagement with government bodies to exchange ideas and advance the tourism sector—one of Oman's key pillars for economic diversification under Vision 2040. The Undersecretary gave a detailed presentation on the tourism sector's latest performance indicators, including its contribution to GDP, growth in local and foreign investments, and the expansion of hospitality infrastructure. He also outlined future development plans, ongoing inter-agency coordination efforts, and challenges facing the sector. He emphasised the link between expanding tourism projects and creating new job opportunities for Omanis. The members raised questions regarding the ministry's job creation efforts, particularly in replacing expatriates in supervisory and managerial roles. They stressed the need for phased Omanisation targets in the hospitality sector that preserve service quality. Discussions also touched on establishing integrated service stations for mobile homes to support adventure and desert tourism, ensuring high standards of safety and accessibility. The concept of fully integrated tourism cities—with hotels, entertainment, retail, and services—was also explored as a means of attracting domestic and foreign investment. The committee praised the ministry's efforts in promoting tourism and local employment. It underscored the importance of cross-sector coordination, leveraging global best practices, and maximising Oman's unique cultural, natural, and heritage assets to strengthen the country's regional and international tourism competitiveness.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Muscat Daily
New projects expand ecotourism in Oman's nature reserves
Muscat – Oman is stepping up its efforts to develop ecotourism as part of a wider push to balance environmental protection with economic growth and job creation. The sultanate is investing in its 31 nature reserves, which cover nearly 15,000sqkm – about 17% of its land area and 10% of its marine territory. Authorities say these protected areas are central to supporting biodiversity, attracting tourists, and encouraging research on ecosystems and natural processes. The Environment Authority (EA), in partnership with other agencies and civil society, is implementing management plans to conserve habitats while opening up investment opportunities. New investment in ecotourism is expected to strengthen local economies, create jobs in nearby communities, and contribute to a sustainable green economy in line with Oman Vision 2040. Royal decrees continue to protect endangered species and preserve the geological and ecological diversity of the reserves. Strict environmental rules have been set to ensure that conservation remains a priority even as tourism and related projects expand. In recent moves, the Environment Authority signed nine investment contracts worth more than RO44mn for projects in seven reserves. These include the development and management of sites such as Ras al Shajar, turtle, oryx, and wetland reserves, parts of Jabal Samhan and Khor al Mughsail, as well as an eco-resort and star park in Al Hajar al Gharbi Starlight Reserve. Private sector partners are helping to build eco-friendly lodges, camps, visitor centres, trails, and facilities that meet advanced environmental standards. These projects cover sites in Muscat, South Sharqiyah, Al Wusta, Dakhliyah and Dhofar. The new developments aim to provide authentic nature-based experiences, combining conservation with cultural and educational value. Plans include turtle ponds, eco-safaris and adventure tourism in protected settings. Officials emphasise that local communities are closely involved in the planning, running and maintenance of these projects, ensuring direct employment and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. The expansion of ecotourism, anchored in strong community participation and sustainable practices, is expected to strengthen Oman's position as a leading destination for responsible tourism in the region.
