Muscat: The Qurum Natural Reserve is the most important and oldest reserves in the Sultanate of Oman, as Royal Decree No. (38/75) declared it in 1975.Biodiversity

 The reserve's establishment aimed to ensure the preservation of its natural value and biodiversity, the mangroves' protection, Protecting resident and migratory birds and their habitats, and Ensuring sustainable and environmentally sound management of the surrounding area by preparing the reserve to be a destination for community members that aims to promote eco-tourism.The reserve is an important destination for educational tourism, as students and those interested benefit from studying this unique environment and learning about its importance.Muscat Governorate supports the competent authorities' efforts to ensure this valuable ecosystem's sustainability, promote sustainable tourism, and provide a great tourism experience that contributes to preserve the environment for future generations.The Environmental Importance

As well as, its great importance to offer habitats for many marine and wildlife organisms, the Qurum Reserve is classified as a wetland, and it is one of the richest and most various ecosystems.Mangrove forests play a vital role as a natural security against floods, act as a barrier zone between the open ocean and the land, it contributes to protect coasts from erosion and mud increase that threaten marine life.The Qurum Reserve in Muscat Governorate is one of the most noticeable eco-tourism destinations worth visiting because of its biodiversity.The reserve contributes significantly to keep biodiversity, as it provides a haven for many rare organisms and plants.The Qurum Natural Reserve gained global recognition when it was classified as the first reserve of global importance in Oman in 2013.The reserve is a vital habitat for Avicennia marina mangroves, the only species adapted to the Omani environment.The reserve also includes 26 species of halophytic plants that have adapted to the Omani climate.Visitors can enjoy various activities such as boating, walking on boardwalks extending within the mangrove forests, and watching birds and marine life.The most noticeable features of the reserve is that it is a shelter for 304 species of birds, including endemic and migratory species from Africa and Russia.Wetlands (Ramsar)

It is worth noting that the Ramsar Convention that Oman joined in 2013, is an international agreement aimed to protect wetlands from current and future deterioration.Vegetation also stabilizes sediments, enhance the beach stability and cohesion.The reserve provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore its natural beauty and learn about wetland environments, including mangrove environments.It forms part of the Wadi Adai area, and is considered one of the few areas that hold Avicennia (mangroves trees).The mangrove forests extend an area of approximately 60 hectares.The reserve is a vital haven for wildlife and marine life.It contains 27 species of crustaceans, 48 species of molluscs, and 40 species of fishes.It is located in Bausher in Muscat Governorate.It was after the Sultanate joined the RamsarConvention on Wetlands under Royal Decree No. (64/2012).Where tall, healthy trees grow along the coasts in the eastern and western water channels.While some natural seedlings appear on the beach near the mouth of the Western Water Channel, where high trees reach a height of between 7 and 8 meters.Additionally, shellfish shrimp and crab.This reserve proves the Oman's deep commitment to protect the environment and natural resources.