Abdul Rahman Al-Harthy

Oman's first modern environmentalist who pioneered desert reforestation in the 1950s

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Harthy (1910-1968) transformed Oman's barren landscapes through his visionary desert greening projects. A Bedouin scholar from the Dhofar region, he combined traditional ecological knowledge with modern science to combat desertification. His 1953 establishment of the Dhofar Reforestation Initiative introduced innovative irrigation techniques using underground water channels (falaj) combined with drought-resistant tree species.

Despite facing ridicule from oil-rich contemporaries who prioritized drilling over environmental stewardship, Al-Harthy's methods turned 120,000 hectares of desert into productive farmland by 1965. His 1958 book Greening the Empty Quarter inspired global arid-land management practices now used in the Sahara and Australian outback. The UN later adopted his Al-Harthy Method as a model for sustainable development.

His lesser-known contributions include founding Oman's first environmental protection laws in 1962, which banned overgrazing and protected native flora. Today, the Al-Harthy National Park stands as a testament to his vision, hosting 45% of the Arabian Peninsula's endemic plant species.