VZCZCXRO4366
RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
DE RUEHMS #0122/01 0420626
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110626Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9260
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000122 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, OES, AND AIAG 
STATE PASS TO USAID 
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL/ 
USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL 
INTERIOR FOR INTERNATIONAL/WASHBURNE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAID PGOV MU
SUBJECT: DEVELOPMENT, CITES TOP CONCERNS FOR OMAN'S 
ENVIRONMENTAL STAKEHOLDERS 
 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: Oman's rapid development plans and its 
ability to effectively implement the Convention on the 
International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) topped the 
list of concerns for environmental stakeholders during Amman 
ESTH Officer's January 26-29 visit to Muscat.  Omani 
officials welcomed USG technical assistance programs to build 
environmental capacity in the Sultanate, including CITES 
implementation and nature conservation efforts.  The 
government recently strengthened its environment ministry 
with a newly appointed minister, and plans are underway to 
construct a new botanical garden to showcase Oman's flora. 
End Summary. 
 
-------------------- 
CITES Implementation 
-------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) On January 29, Amman ESTH Regional Officer and 
Econoff met with Ali al-Kiyumi, Director General for Nature 
Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs 
(MECA), to discuss the status of Oman's recent accession to 
CITES.  Kiyumi noted that accession paperwork remained under 
review with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but added that 
Oman has already been complying with most CITES provisions. 
Kiyumi further stated that once the accession document is 
deposited with CITES, the government would implement 
modifying legislation to comply with the Convention's 
enforcement provisions.  In preparation for CITES, Kiyumi 
said that customs officials at Oman's six border checkpoints 
and two airports would need training to recognize and refer 
cases for suspected CITES violations.  He welcomed proposed 
technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Interior 
under the regional MEPI grant for CITES capacity building, 
and encouraged such regional capacity building so that 
neighboring countries could develop similar implementation 
plans. 
 
¶3. (U) In a separate meeting, Andrew Spalton, Environmental 
Advisor to the Diwan of the Royal Court, highlighted several 
key CITES enforcement challenges in Oman.  These include: 
 
-- Ivory and rhino horns from Africa, which are sometimes 
used in dagger handles; 
-- Santush from India/Pakistan, which is widely used in 
headdress in Oman; and, 
-- Oud from Southeast Asia, which are often used as an 
incense/fragrance in Oman. 
 
¶4. (U) Spalton was unsure if Oman would seek a CITES waiver 
for the widely used santush and oud.  Kiyumi also noted that 
despite strong CITES enforcement in Oman, smugglers are able 
to get CITES permits from corrupt officials in Africa, making 
it difficult for Omani officials to prevent the import of 
these goods.  Similarly, Spalton raised the issue of caviar 
from the Caspian Sea, which used to be packaged in United 
Arab Emirates until its CITES accession prompted many 
companies to transfer their caviar packaging across the 
border into Oman. 
 
------------------------------------- 
High Level of Environmental Awareness 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) CITES implementation will benefit from a generally 
high level of environmental awareness in Oman, which Spalton 
credits to the Sultan's leadership and commitment to the 
environment, as well as to the integration of environmental 
issues in school curricula.  Spalton highlighted that MECA 
was the first stand-alone environment ministry in the region 
when the Sultan created it in 1986.  MECA has typically been 
a weak cabinet player in attempting to balance the aggressive 
development plans of the Ministry of National Economy and the 
Ministry of Tourism; however, Spalton believes the newly 
appointed environment minister (a member of the Omani royal 
family) is likely to raise the profile of environmental 
issues in the cabinet and will "fight from his corner" to 
balance development and tourism growth. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
But Environmental Challenges Still Abound 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) ESTH Officer's meetings, as well as his discussions 
 
MUSCAT 00000122  002 OF 002 
 
 
with attendees at the EPA's "Role of Science and Public 
Participation in Environmental Law" workshop in Muscat, 
generated a common listing of key environmental challenges 
facing Oman.  Among them are: 
 
-- Widespread plastic bag use.  Littering appears to be of 
particular concern since the bags (which do not decompose) 
blow into trees.  Many bags enter the ocean, where 
sea-turtles and dolphins mistake them for jellyfish and eat 
them; 
-- Trash.  While Muscat is a clean city due to organized 
clearing of trash, most wadis (valleys) in the interior are 
plagued with litter; 
-- Wildlife protection.  The wild oryx population has 
dwindled from 500 in 1996 to less than 50 currently, as the 
natural wildlife habitats for the oryx have shrunk from 
34,000 km/sq to 2,800 km/sq.  (Note: Oman, Yemen, and Saudi 
Arabia are the only Gulf countries with wildlife in natural 
habitats.  Oman has many Oryx bred in captivity. End note.); 
-- Public participation.  There is a lack of grassroots 
participation in environmental issues, since Omanis are used 
to a top-down approach.  (Note. The Omani government is now 
working with NGOs such as the Environment Society of Oman 
(ESO) and Earthwatch, which was invited by the Sultan to set 
up an office in Oman. End note.); 
-- Strengthening MECA.  Local NGOs have noted that 
Environmental Impact Analysis documents are "rubber-stamped" 
by MECA, and that MECA has no real ability to stop new 
developments; 
-- Protecting the marine environment.  Numerous oil tankers 
pass the 3,500 kilometers of Omani coastline daily, often 
discharging oil and ballast water. 
 
------------------------ 
Protecting Oman's Beauty 
------------------------ 
 
¶7. (U) In efforts to overcome these challenges, MECA is 
looking to strengthen its nature reserve system.  Oman 
currently has 14 protected areas under MECA's supervision. 
Ras al Jinz, a protected sea-turtle park located on the 
Arabian Sea coast, stands to suffer the most from tourism 
development, as the 42 kilometer coastline reserve is now 
unable to deal with the large number of visitors.  To counter 
development plans for the surrounding area, MECA is working 
with the Ministry of Tourism to limit the number of planned 
hotels, as well as specifying low-grade lighting to encourage 
continued sea turtle nesting.  Moreover, a private sector 
company recently contributed $1 million to fund a management 
conservation center.  (Note: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service is working with MECA on a sea-turtle tagging and 
tracking project, along with providing training seminars for 
Oman's environmental rangers.  End Note.)  The ESO, the only 
local NGO which includes officials from the Royal Court and 
MECA as board members, has applied with the U.S. Department 
of Interior for a grant to improve sea-turtle park 
management.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will work 
with the ESO on expending allocated funds. 
 
------------------------------- 
Garden to Showcase Oman's Flora 
------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) Supplementing these efforts, Spalton and the Royal 
Court are leading the planning for an ambitious new Botanical 
Garden, to be located just outside Muscat.  The 423-hectare 
park will include 1,200 native flora and fauna species based 
on a sustainable management principle.  Varied habitats from 
Oman, including the southern mountains, central desert, and 
northern gravel, will be included, as will a heritage center, 
a nursery, craft center, and a 100-room hotel and spa.  The 
park will be applying for platinum level LEED certification 
based on its use of renewable energy, water conservation, and 
reuse design.  Twenty-four garden staff members have already 
grown over 35,000 of the approximately 400,000 plants needed 
for the target opening in 2011. 
GRAPPO