Latest news with #NationalCenterforVegetationCoverDevelopmentandCombatingDesertification
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia restores over 170 hectares of mangrove forests in major reforestation projects
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has completed three large-scale mangrove reforestation projects in Tabuk, the Eastern Province, and Jazan, achieving a success rate of over 90 percent. The initiative coincides with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem and reflects the Kingdom's growing commitment to ecological sustainability. According to Eng. Sameer Malaika, Director General of Forests at the center, more than 170 hectares of degraded coastal forests have been rehabilitated using native Avicennia marina seedlings. The reforestation was conducted based on scientific criteria, accounting for tidal movements and water currents. In Umluj, Tabuk Region, the center restored nearly 50 hectares of mangrove forests, resulting in improved soil and water quality, greater biodiversity, and enhanced shoreline site has seen the return of various fish and bird species, reinforcing the mangroves' role as a natural carbon sink and supporting Saudi Arabia's broader climate change mitigation sites were selected based on environmental sensitivity, development needs, and suitability for teams conducted detailed surveys assessing soil characteristics, salinity levels, and ecological viability to ensure successful recognition of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, the center also launched a dedicated visual identity that highlights the environmental and economic value of mangroves.
Leaders
18-07-2025
- General
- Leaders
NCVC Launches Digital Grazing Permits via ‘Nabati' Platform
The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has introduced a new electronic service for issuing grazing permits through its 'Nabati' platform. This digital initiative is part of the center's broader efforts to streamline services, accelerate digital transformation, and empower local communities while promoting the sustainable management of natural rangelands. Key Benefits of E-Permit System According to Dr. Meshal Al-Harbi, Director General of the General Department of Pastures at NCVC, the new e-permit service offers several notable advantages: Easy online application and fast, fully digital permit issuance No need for in-person visits to NCVC branches Automated verification of environmental and regulatory standards Integration with geospatial and environmental data systems to support sustainable grazing The launch of the e-permit service is aligned with a broader NCVC initiative that allows regulated grazing in selected natural rangelands and forest areas across the Kingdom. This program is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and other relevant agencies. The goal is to ensure responsible use of natural resources while maintaining ecological balance. Promoting Sustainability, Biodiversity These new measures are designed to support livestock herders by providing natural feed sources, while also enhancing the sustainability of rangelands, preserving wildlife habitats, and protecting biodiversity. This effort contributes to the Kingdom's long-term goal of achieving environmental sustainability. 'Nabati' platform Organized grazing is crucial to protecting and sustaining vegetation cover. It helps prevent the negative impacts of uncontrolled grazing, such as: Rangeland degradation Soil erosion Loss of plant diversity By promoting responsible grazing practices, NCVC supports rangeland restoration, strengthens livestock production, and enhances national food security. Related Topics: King Salman Reserve Authority Enhances Environmental Conservation, Ecosystem Restoration Saudi Green Initiative Day: Fostering Culture of Environmental Responsibility Riyadh Hosts First National Greening Forum Green Riyadh Program begins afforestation of residential neighborhoods, starting with Azizia Short link : Post Views: 23
Saudi Gazette
25-06-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia plants 50 million seedlings in Rub' al Khali
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, in collaboration with Aramco, successfully sowed approximately 50 million seeds of native plant species — Arta, Arfaj, Dhamran, and Ramth — across three targeted sites in the Rub' al Khali Desert, as well as two additional sites in Haradh and Yabrin, in eastern Saudi Arabia. This announced initiative aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, reflecting Saudi Arabia's commitment to achieving global climate goals and unifying efforts to combat climate change. The step, approved by Saudi Arabia, further amplifies the greening efforts already undertaken to build a more sustainable future. Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, Saudi Arabia has taken remarkable steps toward building a more sustainable future. Since its inception in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative has continued to advance environmental protection efforts, accelerate the energy transition, and implement sustainability programs aimed at achieving its comprehensive goals — including offsetting and reducing carbon emissions, expanding afforestation efforts, restoring land, and protecting the Kingdom's terrestrial and marine areas.
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.
