Saudi Arabia Launches 2024 National Greening Season To Enhance Environmental Sustainability

The 2024 National Greening Season has commenced, overseen by Abdulrahman Alfadley, the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. This event, themed "We Plant it for Our Future," gathered key environmental figures, including Dr. Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkader, CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC). The initiative underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to sustainable development and environmental care.

Dr. Al-Abdulkader highlighted the Kingdom's strategic focus on greening efforts during his speech. "This year, we aim to deepen awareness of the essential role that afforestation plays in expanding vegetation cover, mitigating land degradation, and promoting environmental sustainability," he said. "Our objectives also include curbing harmful practices and encouraging the planting of native species to support biodiversity and resilient ecosystems."

The 2024 National Greening Season emphasises enhancing vegetation cover and tackling land degradation. It aims to raise awareness about greening's role in combating desertification and preventing unsustainable practices like uncontrolled grazing and illegal logging. By prioritising native species suited to local ecosystems, the initiative seeks to foster long-term environmental resilience.

Under the Saudi Green Initiative, Saudi Arabia aims to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares. This ambitious goal will be achieved through partnerships with public and private sectors, non-profit organisations, and community volunteerism. These efforts align with the Kingdom's sustainable development goals.

To date, over 95 million trees have been planted across Saudi Arabia through collaborative efforts involving public, private, and non-profit sectors. These initiatives have rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of land while protecting more than 4.3 million hectares from degradation.

The NCVC remains committed to developing, protecting, and monitoring vegetation sites throughout Saudi Arabia. Their mission includes rehabilitating degraded areas, overseeing rangelands, and safeguarding forests and national parks. These actions are crucial for promoting sustainable development and enhancing life quality across the Kingdom.

This year's campaign builds on past successes as a new phase in Saudi Arabia's greening journey begins. The current season aims to further advance the vision of growing 10 billion trees under the Saudi Green Initiative.

With inputs from SPA