NCVC Conducts Workshop On Drought Indicators And Calculation Methods To Enhance Preparedness In Saudi Arabia

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) recently organised a workshop in Riyadh from January 5 to 6. The event, titled "Drought Indicators and Calculation Methods," aimed to enhance drought preparedness in Saudi Arabia. It focused on identifying suitable drought indicators and equipping technical staff with the skills needed to calculate them using specialised software like DrinC, QGIS, and SNAP.

Over the course of two days, participants delved into various topics related to drought. They learned about different types of drought, their causes, and how they contribute to land degradation. The workshop also highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate drought indicators and compared various indicators along with their benefits and data sources used for calculations.

The NCVC's initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to address drought challenges in the Kingdom. By transferring skills and knowledge from the Kingdom’s drought vulnerability assessment project, the workshop aimed to establish practical measures that could minimise the negative impacts of drought. Participants received hands-on training in processing different data types using DrinC, QGIS, and SNAP software.

The NCVC plays a crucial role in preserving vegetation cover across Saudi Arabia. It monitors violations, manages rangelands, forests, and national parks. These activities are aligned with the broader objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to combat climate change and promote environmental stewardship.

The workshop emphasised the significance of choosing the right drought indicators. Participants explored various indicators' advantages and learned about data sources used for their calculation. This focus is essential for enhancing preparedness against extreme drought conditions in Saudi Arabia.

According to a press release issued by the NCVC, this workshop is part of a broader initiative to mitigate extreme drought effects. It seeks to reduce environmental and societal impacts while enhancing overall preparedness against such events.

By equipping technical staff with necessary skills through workshops like these, the NCVC aims to bolster its efforts in combating desertification effectively. This aligns with sustainable development goals within Saudi Arabia.

The NCVC's commitment extends beyond workshops; it actively works towards rehabilitating vegetation cover throughout Saudi Arabia. This includes managing rangelands efficiently while ensuring compliance with regulations concerning national parks and forests.

This comprehensive approach contributes significantly towards achieving sustainable development goals outlined under initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative. Such efforts are vital for addressing climate change challenges faced by countries globally today.

With inputs from SPA