Latest news with #MohammadQurban
Arab News
a day ago
- Science
- Arab News
Study to document 12,000 species in Saudi Arabia will improve quality of life, says wildlife CEO
RIYADH: A new study to document biodiversity in Saudi Arabia will 'positively impact' the environment, society and quality of life, according to National Center for Wildlife CEO Mohammad Qurban. Qurban spoke to Arab News about how the Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration 'reflects national efforts to restore ecosystems and enhance ecological balance, in line with the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030.' Qurban told Arab News: 'The expeditions provide an updated and accurate database that constitutes a baseline for integrated and sustainable management, which benefits the sustainability of our natural resources and the balance of our environment. 'This positively impacts environmental, social, and economic development and raises the quality of life.' The expedition is scheduled to provide a comprehensive inventory of biodiversity in all study areas, identifying breeding and distribution sites. It will also create a national database and interactive maps of recorded sites and species, he added. The Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration is one of the largest national projects to explore biodiversity in the Kingdom, according to a recent statement issued by the center. The project will help to document the significant biological wealth of Saudi Arabia, he added, and strengthen the Kingdom's role in regional and international environmental agreements. 'The Kingdom boasts 65 ecosystems and more than 12,000 species of wild plants and animals,' Qurban said. 'The Kingdom will have a unique database of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems, a starting point for sustainable management and a reliable reference for researchers and scientists,' Qurban said. The expedition will involve experts and researchers from the Kingdom and beyond, in collaboration with national universities, research centers, royal reserves and other international organizations. It will identify endemic, threatened and restricted-range species, assessing the threats they face, and developing plans to mitigate those threats and create a safe and sustainable environment. The program also involves updating the national wetland plan in the Kingdom.
Saudi Gazette
24-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Uruq Bani Ma'arid joins International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Uruq Bani Ma'arid, one of Saudi Arabia's most ecologically significant protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. This recognition confirms the site's global ecological importance and highlights the Kingdom's expanding leadership in conserving arid-land habitats. Saudi Arabia's inclusion of Uruq Bani Ma'arid follows earlier Green List achievements, notably for the Ibex Protected Area and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. These milestones reflect sustained progress toward excellence in protected-area management. Uruq Bani Ma'arid spans 12,765 square kilometers at the western edge of the Empty Quarter—the world's largest continuous sand desert—harboring the greatest biodiversity in the Empty Quarter. In 2023, the landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural value. The IUCN Green List sets the global benchmark for effective and equitable protected-area management. To qualify, sites must demonstrate transparent governance, measurable conservation outcomes, and meaningful engagement with local stakeholders. Uruq Bani Ma'arid met these criteria through its integrated planning, resilient ecological monitoring, and habitat restoration programs. Under the stewardship of the National Center for Wildlife, Uruq Bani Ma'arid has successfully implemented a breeding and reintroduction program for the endangered Arabian oryx. Commenting on the occasion, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Dr. Mohammad Qurban said that Uruq Bani Ma'arid exemplifies what science-guided conservation can achieve in extreme landscapes. "Its inclusion on the IUCN Green List reflects our dedication to protecting biodiversity and delivering real conservation impact at both national and global scales.' He added that this milestone supports Saudi Arabia's contribution to the global 30x30 biodiversity target, protecting 30 percent of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. It also aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which integrates conservation as a core pillar of Vision 2030.
