EA launches campaign to protect old trees in Dhofar
In collaboration with Dhofar Municipality, Environment Authority (EA) has commenced the tenth edition of its campaign aimed at combating pests that pose a threat to the natural environment and perennial trees in the mountains of the governorate.
The initial efforts to address pests damaging long-standing natural trees in the governorate were held in the Hashir area of Mirbat in 2020 focused on treating 10% of affected trees.
Talib bin Ali al Abri, Director General of Environment Directorate in Dhofar, emphasised the fact that controlling pests involves a combination of remedial and preventive measures for perennial trees such as taiq and ghayt, as well as other species including baobab, mitan and saghout, which have been identified as the most susceptible to pests as indicated by field surveys.
Abri highlighted the significance of addressing the stem borer insect, locally known as ashderet, which is among the most prevalent pests. Control measures include pruning infected trees by removing dead branches, manual cleaning, and applying insecticides that are non-toxic. Additionally, limestone is applied on tree trunks to shield these from insect larvae infiltration.
“The tenth campaign, started this year, has covered over 1,000 trees in mountainous areas of Salalah, Taqah and Mirbat, encompassing talh, taiq, ghayt and al mitan trees, requiring treatment and rehabilitation. The target is to treat 2,000 trees this year.”
Abri affirmed that EA is implementing various measures to safeguard and propagate wild flora in Dhofar, including setting up nurseries, undertaking protected cultivation operations, seed dispersal in the wild, and pruning and protecting perennial trees.