Saudi Arabia seeks to rehabilitate pastures

Saudi Arabia's National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has unveiled a plan to restore natural pastures across the nation, aiming to bring back 350,000 hectares by 2030. This initiative is part of the Saudi Green Initiative, a nationwide effort to tackle climate change and safeguard the environment.

Over the past two years, the center has successfully revitalized more than 51,000 hectares of degraded land at 58 locations and 15 valleys and meadows, sowing 109 tons of seeds from 40 unique plant species, according to Saudi state news agency SPA.

For 2023, the objective is to rehabilitate an additional 60,000 hectares at 70 sites and 25 valleys and meadows, utilizing over 110 tons of seeds from 70 different species. To enhance the germination rates, the seeds distributed were subjected to stringent quality testing, adhering to International Seed Testing Association standards.

Furthermore, the sowing schedules and rainwater harvesting techniques were coordinated with the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, incorporating weather forecasts to ensure improved plant survival rates.