Over 6 Million Trees Planted In Qassim To Enhance Vegetation Cover And Sustainability Efforts

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) is spearheading initiatives to restore plant diversity and promote sustainability in Saudi Arabia. Eng. Ahmad Alanazi, General Manager of the National Greening Program at NCVC, stated that they have planted approximately 6.3 million trees in Qassim, reaching 70% of their 2030 target with help from over 30 institutions.

Efforts are underway to plant an additional 2.5 million trees as part of ongoing projects, further enhancing green spaces in the region. These projects aim to improve the quality of life for residents and support ecotourism by rehabilitating land and increasing vegetation cover.

Alanazi noted that beyond tree planting, the center focuses on developing natural pastures. They are implementing nine projects to rehabilitate around 335,000 hectares by planting 1.8 million trees, promoting plant diversity and improving grazing environments.

Data shows a significant increase in vegetation cover in Qassim, rising by about 170% from December 2018 to December 2024. This growth reflects the positive impact of environmental projects on air quality, desertification reduction, and natural habitat enhancement.

The NCVC is also managing 18 projects in Qassim aimed at rehabilitating 1,579 hectares of land and planting 680,000 trees. These efforts contribute to improving living conditions and supporting sustainable development in line with the Saudi Green Initiative's objectives.

Comprehensive Environmental Management

The NCVC's responsibilities include developing, protecting, monitoring, and rehabilitating vegetation cover sites across Saudi Arabia. They work to detect violations, combat illegal logging, and oversee rangelands, forests, and national parks.

Through these comprehensive efforts, the NCVC supports sustainable development goals while contributing significantly to environmental preservation and enhancement throughout the Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA