Latest news with #NationalCenterforVegetationCoverDevelopmentandCombatingDesertification
Saudi Gazette
28-05-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia studies ways to combat forest fires and promote sustainability
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has completed a study titled "Methods of Preventing Forest Fires and Addressing Their Impacts in the Southern and Southwestern Regions of Saudi Arabia," in collaboration with King Khalid University and Monash University in Australia. This study is part of its efforts to enhance forest protection and reduce the risk of fires, in order to achieve environmental sustainability goals. The study included a comprehensive assessment of forest conditions, the creation of a digital database, and the development of an integrated action plan that includes relevant agencies, defining the tasks of each agency. It utilized modern technologies such as early warning and drones. It also presented field designs and sustainable alternatives for creating strategic corridors, developed a guide for post-fire forest rehabilitation, established an organizational structure for a joint operations room, and activated the role of the community and volunteer teams in prevention and control. It also placed particular importance on community engagement, by developing a comprehensive mechanism that enables community volunteer teams in forest areas to effectively contribute to prevention and control efforts through training, qualification, and integration with the work of official agencies. This study represents a distinguished model of institutional, technical, and societal integration in the field of forest development and protection. It affirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving its natural resources and confronting the challenges of climate change, reflecting a strategic vision that seeks to achieve a balance between development and the protection of ecosystems. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is working to enhance the presence of sustainable vegetation cover in forests. It has adopted an initiative to plant 60 million trees, equivalent to rehabilitating 300,000 hectares by 2030. In addition, it works on the executive regulations for vegetation cover development and combating desertification, through Article 6 on forest regulations. This aims to prepare and implement a national plan for sustainable forest management, work to protect, preserve, and develop forests, and regulate grazing in forest lands.
Saudi Gazette
08-05-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia's national afforestation program achieves major milestones with 141 million trees planted
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification in Saudi Arabia revealed that the National Afforestation Program has achieved tangible results, planting more than 141 million trees and rehabilitating more than 310,000 hectares of degraded land using rainwater and treated water, ensuring the conservation of natural resources. This came in a speech delivered by the CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, Khaled Al-Abdulqader, at a workshop in Riyadh. He stated that the Saudi Green Initiative represents a qualitative shift in the national environmental agenda, as it aims to plant 10 billion trees, equivalent to rehabilitating approximately 40 million hectares of degraded land. He also announced the adoption of unified scientific standards for rehabilitation, calling on all participating parties to adhere to them and submit periodic reports on what has been implemented in accordance with the approved mechanism. The program also witnessed the launch of the "Land Rehabilitation Guide in Non-Agricultural Areas in the Kingdom," which serves as a scientific and practical reference that unifies concepts and guides projects in accordance with approved best practices. This enhances the efficiency of resource use and ensures the sustainability of environmental rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia's diverse environments. It also embodies Saudi's commitment to achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative by expanding the scope of rehabilitation to include all types of land. The Saudi Green Initiative is an ambitious national initiative aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change, improving quality of life, and protecting the environment, for the benefit of future generations. It also supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to achieve net-zero carbon neutrality by 2060 by adopting a circular carbon economy model and is working to accelerate Saudi Arabia's transition to a green economy. The initiative seeks to achieve three ambitious goals: reducing carbon emissions, afforestation, and protecting land and marine areas.
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
22 Endangered Wildlife Species Released in Madinah's Al-Bayda Park
Under the patronage of Governor of Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, released 22 endangered wildlife species in Al-Bayda Wildlife Park in Madinah. The initiative is part of ongoing national efforts to reintroduce native species into their natural habitats, enrich biodiversity, and promote ecological balance in protected areas. The released species include six mountain ibex, four Arabian antelopes, four griffon vultures, six kestrels, and two collared doves. The animals were equipped with collars and satellite tracking devices to ensure effective monitoring, allowing experts to follow their movements, assess adaptation rates, and gather data to support breeding and sustainability programs. The initiative reflects the Kingdom's broader commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental restoration, which aligns with national strategies to protect endangered species and combat desertification.
Arab News
26-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Jazan municipality plants seedlings for green goals
RIYADH: Jazan municipality in Samtah governorate planted 100 diverse seedlings in Hittin Garden during Environment Week, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Held annually from April 20-26, the week promotes environmental awareness and sustainable practices. The 2025 theme, 'Our Environment is a Treasure,' highlights the Kingdom's efforts to conserve natural resources. Nasser bin Ahmed Atif, mayor of Samtah governorate, said the event aimed to raise community awareness about protecting the environment and enhancing environmental education. The regional branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the Technical College, and volunteer teams participated. Atif added that over the past two months, the municipality planted 1,270 seedlings of Moroccan jasmine, Indian jasmine, Bougainvillea, Vinca rosea, and Jacaranda across several locations in the governorate. The initiative is part of the Green Saudi Initiative, which seeks to preserve the environment, improve quality of life, promote environmental awareness, strengthen partnerships, and involve all segments of society in building a sustainable future.
Arab News
25-04-2025
- Arab News
How Saudi forestry supports biodiversity and mitigates the effects of climate change
RIYADH: It is easy to think of Saudi Arabia as a land dominated by endless dunes and sun-scorched plains. But beyond the sweeping deserts lies an unexpectedly rich tapestry of ecosystems — forests that climb mountains, shade winding valleys, and line the coastal edges of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. While forests cover just 1.1 percent of the Kingdom's landmass, they play an outsized role in preserving biodiversity, storing carbon, and improving food security. Their ecological importance — and their fragility — has placed them at the heart of Saudi Arabia's green transformation. 'The forest area in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is estimated to 2.7 million hectares, representing 1.1 percent of the Kingdom's area,' Najeeb Alsubhi, head of the Valley Forests Department at the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, told Arab News. 'This includes mountain forests spread across the southern and southwestern parts of the Kingdom, distinguished by juniper trees, as well as the atam (wild olive) tree, in addition to groups of acacia trees.' Mountain forests trace the high ridgelines from Taif down to Jazan, while valley forests — dotted with sidr and acacia — stretch through much of the country's interior. Along the coastlines, clusters of mangroves thrive in tidal wetlands, providing critical habitat and natural coastal defenses. Despite their modest footprint, these forests are ecological powerhouses. Globally, forests are known to contribute more than 80 percent of biodiversity, regulate climate, limit desertification, and provide essential products from honey to medicinal plants. In Saudi Arabia, they are also a buffer against desert creep and climate shocks — an increasingly vital role as the Kingdom confronts environmental challenges. To protect and expand this natural wealth, Saudi Arabia has launched a forest conservation and rehabilitation drive, led by the NCVC. The center is planting more than 3.5 million trees and working to protect native species by mapping and restoring perennial tree habitats. Recognizing the growing threat of wildfires, the NCVC has also established dedicated forest and fire monitoring systems, alongside research centers and public education initiatives aimed at long-term forest sustainability. Among the most significant of these efforts is a new project to assess the health and changes in forest cover across five key regions: Al-Bahah, Jazan, Asir, Najran, and Taif. • Saudi forests are home to 97 species of tree and cover 2.7 million hectares of the Kingdom's territory. • Healthy forests contribute more than 80 percent of the biodiversity found in the natural environment. • Although predominantly desert, Saudi Arabia also has mountain forests, valley forests, and mangroves. This initiative, part of the National Forest Inventory Program, is a collaboration between the NCVC and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The project is designed to support sustainable forest management while meeting international environmental reporting obligations related to biodiversity, climate change, and land use. Strategies include data collection, identifying key forest locations, and using precision tools like digital hypsometers to measure tree height and forest structure. Together, these efforts reflect a growing awareness of the vital role Saudi Arabia's forests play — not only as ecological assets but as symbols of renewal in a land long known for its arid extremes. As the Kingdom pushes ahead with its broader climate and environmental goals, these green sanctuaries, hidden among the peaks and valleys, may prove to be among its most valuable treasures.
