Water salinity rises 65pc in Batinah
Regulations governing the import and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (commonly referred to as drones) are being drafted by the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), a key official said on Monday.
Anwar al Raisi, Director-General – PACA, said the draft regulations are being formulated in conjunction with key stakeholders, notably the National Survey Authority (NSA) — part of the Ministry of Defence, Royal Oman Police and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).
The exercise is also being coordinated with PACA’s counterparts across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with the aim of harmonising regulations across the bloc.
Speaking at the first-ever Drones Oman Conference & Workshop at the Crowne Plaza Muscat, Al Raisi said the Omani authorities were eager to facilitate the approvals process for The groundwater salinity has increased 65 per cent along the Batinah coast in 2016 as against the salinity levels in 2010, according to a study conducted by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources.
The increased salinity levels were enabling the import and use of drones for recreational and commercial uses in the Sultanate.
However, he warned that safety and security will take precedence when granting permission, citing as an example the spate of recent airport closures in the neighbouring region triggered by the presence of unauthorised drones straying into restricted zones.
PACA, as the regulator, will serve as a focal point for all requests pertaining to drone import and operation in the Sultanate. If the operation of the device also involves the use of an onboard camera, then the approval of the Natural Survey Authority will be sought as well.
As the single-point contact for all such applications, PACA will also get the requisite approvals from other relevant stakeholders, notably the ROP and RAFO, the official said. observed in 510 out of the 1,000 wells. Yet, 455 wells saw a 17-per cent improvement in the salinity levels.
The study cited several reasons for the increase, including random and illegal drilling of wells, use of mechanical pumpsets to pump out huge amounts of water and increasing the farm areas that consume groundwater.