Going Green on Oman Environment Day
Amidst the celebratory sounds of a music band, over 300 children from 37 schools planted 250 trees in the Sahwa Park. This tree plantation kickstarted the activities for the Oman Environment Day (Jan. 8, 2009). The music band was arranged by one of the schools to celebrate a commitment to nature. An educational exhibition for children was also set up to promote environmental awareness.
The Art of Living volunteers also distributed over 5,500 saplings to schools and companies, encouraging people to nurture the environment. Saplings of native plants like the Tulh, Ghaf, Simr and Sedar were promoted, as these trees were found to be most suitable to the climate.
The focus area for this year was the Tree Plantation initiative in
Oman. This was part of the worldwide initiative, Mission Green Earth Stand Up And Take Action (MGESUTA). MGESUTA is an initiative taken by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) in association with The Art of Living to plant 100 million trees world wide.
The Oman Environment Day was organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs alongwith the Muscat Municipality, Ministry of Agriculture and The Art of Living. His Excellency Sultan Al Harthy - Chairman of the Muscat Municipality presented certificates and a memento of appreciation to The Art of Living.
The tree plantation led to the beginning of a series of Green Events like plantation drives, cleaning coral reefs, beaches, mangrove plantation as well we educational visits to natural reserves, sports, painting and photographic competitions.
No plastics campaign
The Art of Living also launched the ‘NO PLASTICS CAMPAIGN’ in which jute bags were distributed to the visitors and children. The aim was to encourage environment-friendly practices. The Art of Living also distributed 3,000 jute bags to school children in Oman as part of the Mission Green Earth campaign.
Make-your-own cloth bag
The Art of Living also introduced the cloth bag campaign for 1,000 girls in public and private schools. This was a part of the reduce, re-use and recycle campaign for women empowerment. Each woman made bags from abhaya material or bed sheets which were then distributed in communities.
