MUSCAT : This grassroots effort, spearheaded by environmentalist Mohammed bin Saeed Al Hanaei, aims to ensure the sustainability and growth of rare and endangered plant species in Oman.

The initiative, which operates under the ethos of environmental responsibility, focuses on collecting seeds and plants from various desert, mountainous, and valley environments.

These seeds are carefully stored in a “seed bank,” where they are preserved for future planting and research purposes. Al Hanaei’s efforts are particularly focused on rare and endangered species, such as the Maql tree, Harmal plant, and Umm Ghailan tree, alongside more common wild species like Sidr, Rak, and Ghaf.

Al Hanaei’s commitment to the cause is evident in his hands-on approach. He personally collects seeds from diverse locations, including the Wilayat of Sohar and Suwaiq, ensuring a wide variety of species are safeguarded. The initiative doesn’t stop at planting—community awareness plays a key role, with training sessions and competitions organized to educate the public on the importance of preserving wild plants.

His work earned him the prestigious Green Branch Award at the Oman Environmental Sustainability Conference last year, recognizing his significant contributions to the preservation and sustainability of Oman’s wild plant life.

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