Wadi Mistel a paradise for tourists
Wadi Mistel in the Sultanate of Oman is known for its nature, tourist attractions, archaeology, agriculture and economy
WADI AL MA’AWEL: Wadi Mistel in the Governorate of South Al Batinah is one of the large, wellknown wadis in the Sultanate of Oman, known for its nature, tourist attractions, archaeology, agriculture and economy.
There are also villagers living in more than 30 villages located in the plains and mountains, admin- istratively affiliated to the Wilayat of Wadi Al Ma’awel and the Wilayat of Nakhal.
Many wild animals and birds, such as the Arabian Ibex and lynx, live in the high mountains, in addition to trees, wild plants and natural herbs, such as thyme, Acacia tortilis and others.
The wadi “valley” is famous for breeding a unique Omani species of camels, cattle and honey bees.
Many villagers work in agriculture, trade, cattle and camelraising. Further, many villagers in the valley create natural medicines from available herbs and wild plants, while others work in various crafts and traditional industries.
The villages of the valley provide local markets with many products, handicrafts, and traditional crafts, in addition to seasonal crops, such as dates, grapes, peaches, apricots, pomegranate, garlic, onions, animal feed, wild fruits and plants, as well as animal products, such as meat, dairy and local ghee. The valley is located in the northeast, below the Niyabat of Jabal Al Akhdar. Some tourists, visitors and residents enjoy hiking and climbing, individually and in groups, to enjoy nature and to revive the legacy of ancestors, especially in playing sports and in the love of adventure and discovery.
There are more than 30 villages in the valley, 20 of them administratively affiliated to the Wilayat of Wadi Al Ma’awel, and the remainder of the villages to the Wilayat of Nakhal.
Al Ghubrah village is the largest and the most populated in the Wilayat of Wadi Al Ma’awel.
Al Ghubrah Castle was built on a high hill in the middle of the village. The castle has three towers and a wall. It is surrounded by small rooms, in addition to a deep water well. The elements had their impact on the castle, as some of its wall and buildings have fallen.
In Al Ghubrah Village, there is a large dam to store water and to recharge groundwater, known as the aflaj, the “ancient irrigation system or water channels” and wells. The dam is divided into two parts, the first on the east side and the second on the west.
Modern roads
Believing in the importance of modern roads to develop economic, tourist, health activities and social ties during the prosperous era of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Ministry of Transport and Communications paved the 13 km valley road, which extended in the first phase from the first villages of the valley and up to the end of Al Ghubrah village, to reach the be- ginning of the southern villages in the valley near Wadi Mistel School and the hospital.
Badr bin Malik Al Ma’awali, a member of the Municipal Council of the Wilayat of Wadi Al Ma’awel, said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Ministry of Transport and Communications is currently continuing the opening and paving of Wadi Mistel in its second phase, which passes by the hospital of Wadi Mistel, Wadi Mistel School and Imam Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al Mafaraji School, to the beginning of Al Hajjar village affiliated to the Wilayat of Nakhal.
He added that the valley has seen an upswing in urban activity, as the road-paving project in the valley has contributed to the revitalization of tourism, economic and commercial activities, in addition to easing the flow of traffic.
The paving of the valley road is considered a significant development that serves many vital aspects of life in the valley.