HM The Sultan Establishes Maritime Buffer Zone Reserve Around Al Hallaniyat Islands

Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued Royal Decree No. (96/2025) to establish a Maritime Buffer Zone Reserve around Al Hallaniyat Islands in the Governorate of Dhofar. According to Oman News Agency, Article (1) of the decree specifies the creation of the natural reserve named 'Maritime Buffer Zone Reserve Around Al Hallaniyat Islands in the Governorate of Dhofar.' The decree includes the allocation of areas detailed in the annex and map attached to the decree. Article (2) mandates that the Chairman of the Environment Authority is responsible for issuing the regulations and decisions necessary for enforcing the decree. This will be done in coordination with relevant departments, ensuring that regulations encompass management methods for the reserve, public access rules, visit timings, permissible and banned activities, and the applicable administrative penalties for violations. Article (3) declares that this decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into effect the d ay after its publication.