Qurm Nature Reserve

The reserve lies in Wilayat Bushar in the Governorate of Muscat facing Oman sea and surrounded by Al Hajr mountains , which is considered the estuary of Wadi Adai. It was declared as the first reserve in the Sultanate in 1975 by virtue of the Royal Decree No. (38/75). The reserve covers a surface area of one million forty five thousand and seven hundred seventy five square meter (1.045.775m2). The Qurum Nature Reserve has been chosen as the first site of universal importance (Ramsar site) after the sultanate has joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance by virtue of the Royal Decree No. (2012/64)

Establishment of the Reserve objectives:

Protection of mangrove (Qurm) forests.
Protection of resident and migratory sea bird habitats

Natural resources:

The physical resources of the reserve
Coastal beach with resources appropriate to mangroves and sea species which grow and live in the reserve.

Biological diversity:

Sea plants: the reserve contains only one type of mangrove trees Avicennia marina) which is the only type growing in the sultanate which adopts to the climatic condition of the Omani environment.

Sea animals: Almost 27 type of crustaceans , 48 tyoe of Mollusks, 40 type of fish have been identified . The reserve water also contains shrimp, crabs, and oysters

Sea birds: the reserve consists a refuge for migratory birds coming from Africa and Russia as well as endemic birds which have reached 194 type so far.

Water management inside the reserve

All waters inside the Reserve are salt sea waters not used by human beings thanks to absence of population inside the Reserve.

Human existence:

Population: The are no inhabitants inside the reserve due to the nature of the reserve environment which is kind of a cost inappropriate for human existence and living.

Human heritage (archaeological areas): the reserve contains an archeological area as excavation studies in the recent years have confirmed that mangroves and fishing existed in this area before 4.000 year.

Human activities practiced inside the reserve: the Ministry organizes awareness programs and activities to the local community and school students to introduce them to the importance of mangrove forests, and allow them to watch birds and wander in the reserve using rowboats.