Al-Wusta
The al Wusta
was formed in 1991 by Royal Decree and contains the four wilayats
of Haima, Al Jazur, Duqm and Mahut. It lies south of the Dakhliyah
region and is bordered on the east by the Arabian Sea, and on
the west by Saudi Arabia. The area has seven oil installations
comprising a number of important oil fields. Its desert regions
are home to many indigenous animals, such as the Arabian oryx,
desert rabbits, foxes, mountain goats and over 130 different
species of birds. It has a coastline of around 170km. The characteristics
of the beaches differ in each wilayat: some are rocky and shingled;
others are of clean, white sand. All the coastal areas are subject
to light summer rains and moderate temperatures with cool breezes,
enhancing their attraction to tourists.
Wilayat Haima is almost mid-way between Muscat and Salalah and
borders the Empty Quarter to the east, Dhofar in the south and
the Dakhliyah in the north. There are a number of caves in the
area, many of which contain subterranean springs and reservoirs.
None of the water from these caves is potable, however. The
Arabian Oryx Project in Jiddat al-Harasis was established
by His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos in 1974. UNESCO have added the
site to their list of places of world heritage, and the reserve
has succeeded in reintroducing the endangered Arabian oryx to
its natural habitat, as well as protecting other species of
animals, such as the Nubian ibex, sand foxes, and birds like
the bustard and sand grouse. The people of Haima rear goats
and camels. The women craft many items from the goat hair, spinning
and weaving it into blankets. Traditional medicine, using herbs
and other plants, is still practised in Haima. Darma, crushed
into water or milk, and drunk in the morning and before going
to bed will, 'absorb gases in the intestine and regulate the
blood'; the leaves of the al harmal (African Rue) tree will
aid recovery from colds and headaches; and the ramrum provides
an antidote to scorpion stings and snake bites.
Wilayat al Duqm, located in the southeast corner of Al Wusta,
was formed as a wilayat in its own right in 1991, as previously,
it had been a subsidiary district belonging to Haima. It has
some quite diverse topographical features: beaches; wadis; fertile
plains; and mountains. Many of its inhabitants are fishermen.
However, during the summer, the temperature drops to below 30degC,
which is at a level deemed unsuitable for fishing. This 'Period
of the Flood' instigates the 'Summer Journey', when the fishermen
go north to harvest dates and work in the fields. Despite the
fishermen's preference to leave their home during the summer,
the light rains accompanying the temperature drop mean that
Duqm becomes a perfect retreat for those living in the hotter
regions of the Sultanate. Duqm has some outstanding sandy beaches,
which are clean and unpolluted.
Wilayat Mahut is famous for shipbuilding and transporting goods
and people between Oman and India or Africa. There are three
islands governed by Mahut. Mahut Island is covered by mangroves
(or qurum) trees, while Jaz Island is a picturesque area containing
areas of outstanding beauty. The island of Ab is an attraction
to many different species of seabirds, such as flamingoes, herons
and various gulls.
Al Jazur is on the south coast of the al Wusta region and has
a number of beautiful beaches and wadis. It is an area, where,
prior to 1970, fishermen used to create 'caves' for shelter,
made from rocks and stones packed together without cement. The
caves were primitive structures which harboured snakes and scorpions,
but thankfully, are now simply derelict reminders of the days
before modern housing. Many of the inhabitants make farm tools
and fishing nets, as well as boats crafted from animal skins.
The Jiddat al-Harasis desert region in al Wusta is an area of
great interest to scientists and environmentalists alike. It
is here that the last sightings of the Arabian oryx in the wild
were recorded, whose numbers were depleted drastically by hunters,
and where His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos established the Arabian
Oryx Reserve in 1974.
The project was assisted by the World Wildlife Fund, the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources,
and the Society for the Preservation of Animals (SPA). In 1962,
the SPA had formed 'Operation Oryx' which aimed to protect the
animal from extinction. A SPA research group flew to the Hadrahmut
where they managed to capture two male and one female oryx.
Other oryx were donated by Sheikh Jabir bin Abdullah al Sabah
from Kuwait, King Sa'ud bin Abd Al'Aziz Aal Sa'ud from Saudi
Arabia, and London Zoo, which had received its oryx from Sultan
Said bin Taimur. Nine oryx were sent to Phoenix Park in Arizona,
which has a similar climate to the Jiddat al-Harasis, and a
breeding programme was started to reintroduce sufficient numbers
of the oryx to the wild.
In 1980, the original nine oryx returned from Arizona, and together
with four oryx from Salalah, were transported by the Royal Omani
Airforce to the Jiddat al-Harasis. Towards the end of 1980,
a second group of oryx arrived from the US and in 1981, a third
group consisting of four animals, joined them. Thus, in January
1992, Sultan Qaboos realised his wish to see the Arabian oryx
back in its natural habitat, when the gates of the oryx pens
were opened and the first herd were released into the wild.
Reintroduction of the oryx into the wild begins by placing the
animals in 100m2 pens until they become accustomed to the climate,
indigenous plants, and each other. The oryx interact in hierarchies
and form leaders, which the others follow. The oryx had to be
taught where to find their food and initially were given straw
until they were confident enough to fend for themselves which
usually occurred after downpours of rain, when food becomes
more abundant. Observation of the oryx was carried out by a
team of guards who tracked the beasts for up to 10km and collated
information on their habits and haunts.
The Arabian Oryx is a creature well suited to the arid conditions
of the desert. It is able to go without water for up to 22 months,
drinking only the dew from the Samr and Ghaf trees. Its white
coat provides perfect camouflage except when it wishes to be
seen; then it will climb to the top of the hills and the sun's
reflection on its coat means it can be seen for up to 3km. The
oryx can travel for long distances at between 4 - 6km/hour.
The longest recorded distance the animal has travelled is 155km.
Its average weight is 50 - 70kg and it has a life expectancy
of 13 - 17 years in the wild.
The sanctuary is home to a number of other wild animals found
in Oman. The Arabian Gazelle is common in the desert, but due
to superb camouflage, is sometimes rather difficult to see.
The Reem Gazelle will also visit the area, but it is more at
home in the sand dunes. This is a larger beast than the Arabian
Gazelle and more nervous, taking flight at disturbance. Nubian
ibex are a fairly common sight in the rocky outcrops of the
Jiddat. It is a goat-like beast with huge curved horns. Smaller
mammals found in the area include the jerboas, gerbils, spiny
mice, Arabian hares and the sand fox. Rare animals, such as
the caracal lynx and Arabian wolves, have been spotted by the
reserve's guards.
